LinkedIn?

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Dexx

So back when LinkedIn first started I created a profile to see what all the excitement was about...never really touched the thing since...

Decided to login today and I see had a couple dozen "connection requests" or whatever, and see a couple of prospective clients that I talked with in the past in the list etc.

I think I might actually have to do some research and learn how to use this platform better, since it just recently crossed over the 100 million user mark...it's obviously got the potential to generate leads...

...but with that being said. Is there anyone currently finding successful results from LinkedIn? (i.e. referrals, new clients, great contacts etc.)

The one thing about LinkedIn that I don't quite get, is if I should be treating it like a virtual rolodex and just inviting / requesting connections with everyone on my list?

Some people on my list I barely know / spoke to once -- do you still add these people for the networking aspect of things?

Or is it more like FaceBook where some people only create connections with those they have met personally / have an existing introduction to already?

~Dexx

You'd be surprised by how many people choose to add complete strangers. Sad but true lol..

You'v also got me interested in Linkedin now and got me interested in going and making a profile.

Thanks Dexx... Another distraction, JUST what I needed :p

Thanks

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Dexx

13 years ago

I just found a great video that kind of explains the LinkedIn advantage vs ranking in Google etc.

YouTube - What is LinkedIn?

Thanks
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aminwasu 13 years ago

Thanks Dexx, for sharing the video
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Rocket web

13 years ago

I heard that the golden rule for the social media campaign is that you shouldn't start unless you are absolutely sure and ready. My thoughts are that, unless your business is in retail or dealing with the public, or if you are a celebrity and have stuff to tweet, you need to first decide the direction in social media optimization. Like, I don't want to tweet or re-tweet on the boring subject. I want to hear about hot mess from celebrities or something like that.

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contentment1st

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Dexx

So back when LinkedIn first started I created a profile to see what all the excitement was about...never really touched the thing since...

Decided to login today and I see had a couple dozen "connection requests" or whatever, and see a couple of prospective clients that I talked with in the past in the list etc.

I think I might actually have to do some research and learn how to use this platform better, since it just recently crossed over the 100 million user mark...it's obviously got the potential to generate leads...

...but with that being said. Is there anyone currently finding successful results from LinkedIn? (i.e. referrals, new clients, great contacts etc.)

The one thing about LinkedIn that I don't quite get, is if I should be treating it like a virtual rolodex and just inviting / requesting connections with everyone on my list?

Some people on my list I barely know / spoke to once -- do you still add these people for the networking aspect of things?

Or is it more like FaceBook where some people only create connections with those they have met personally / have an existing introduction to already?

~Dexx

There's a gentleman by the name of Larry Beacham that has put together a nice LinkedIn Marketing course. Link with him on LinkedIn and I'm sure you can find his material.

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Dexx

13 years ago

Originally Posted by contentment1st

There's a gentleman by the name of Larry Beacham that has put together a nice LinkedIn Marketing course. Link with him on LinkedIn and I'm sure you can find his material.

I'll go check him out, thanks!

Thanks

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iamchrisgreen

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Dexx

So back when LinkedIn first started I created a profile to see what all the excitement was about...never really touched the thing since...

Decided to login today and I see had a couple dozen "connection requests" or whatever, and see a couple of prospective clients that I talked with in the past in the list etc.

I think I might actually have to do some research and learn how to use this platform better, since it just recently crossed over the 100 million user mark...it's obviously got the potential to generate leads...

...but with that being said. Is there anyone currently finding successful results from LinkedIn? (i.e. referrals, new clients, great contacts etc.)

The one thing about LinkedIn that I don't quite get, is if I should be treating it like a virtual rolodex and just inviting / requesting connections with everyone on my list?

Some people on my list I barely know / spoke to once -- do you still add these people for the networking aspect of things?

Or is it more like FaceBook where some people only create connections with those they have met personally / have an existing introduction to already?

~Dexx

Hi Dexx

I have developed a strategy for using LinkedIn.

Build Connections
Over the past 3 years I have built about 700 connections on linkedIn. Not a huge amount, but I tried to connect to people i'd either met in one way or another or new someone I knew.

Build Profile
Then I tried to build myself a solid profile explaining how my business fixes the issues that other companies may have. I also asked a load of people that we had worked with to give us testimonials.

Getting them into my system
One of our strategies for getting offline clients is to get them to a seminar and explain about online marketing, then pitch our services at the end. I use LinkedIn to get people to the seminar by adding it as a LinkedIn event and blasting out a message to get the ones that live close enough to come along.

Nurture
Then they are in my email system and I can nurture the leads beyond the seminar, send them more great information and wait till they are ready to take action.

Hope that's useful (I think there's a product in there somewhere

)

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Dexx

13 years ago

Originally Posted by iamchrisgreen

Build Connections
Over the past 3 years I have built about 700 connections on linkedIn. Not a huge amount, but I tried to connect to people i'd either met in one way or another or new someone I knew.

So did you add / send a request to pretty much every person on your contact list then? (since they would know people you know)

Or did you pick and choose select individuals?

From my understanding of LinkedIn, it seems almost like a popularity contest, and the more "connections" you have (no matter how well you know them) the higher the chance of someone in THEIR networks doing a search for a service and finding you...

...is that a correct assumption?

~Dexx

Thanks

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alanborcic

13 years ago

LinkedIn recommendation is NOT to connect to people you do not know, and I keep it that way. I see it as business Facebook, or Dexx said it even better, virtual rolodex, with the exception that you can see who are connections of your connection and use your connection to connect to their connections, which is not possible any other way.
So I would say it is good for networking and finding prospects

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Voasi

13 years ago

I can easily attribute an extra 5-figures on new business directly from my LinkedIn account ( See here - Adam Maywald | LinkedIn )

Not only do potential clients get to see "where" I've been, but they get validation from the recommendations on the page. Just a couple of weeks ago, my sales manager told me that someone called him up because of one of the recommendations on the profile - he knew the guy who gave the recommendation. This guy has a social media company and needed an SEO company; so far, we've sent over 2 contracts both equaling $6500/mo.

Just like with Facebook, I don't add people I don't know. But that's just me.

Here's a company that "mines" Facebook data for you to use as a sales tool - they hit me up last week to use there software: eGrabber - Prospects lists lead generation software | business lead generation program | address | list | email processing

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Dexx

13 years ago

Awesome feedback, thanks!

PS - For those that do have LinkedIn feel free to connect with me: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/dexxwilliams

~Dexx

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roddyfonline 13 years ago

there is also a method to optimise linkedin to gain contacts and clients
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hotseochick

13 years ago

I know a lot of people will direct potential clients to their LinkedIn page. I've seen it work for other people I know as far as getting clients. You don't have to have a ton of 'connections' for your LinkedIn to be convincing. If you have a compelling work history, then it's worth looking into. If you flipped burgers before going into marketing, then maybe keep your profile to yourself

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Dexx 13 years ago

Originally Posted by hotseochick

If you flipped burgers before going into marketing, then maybe keep your profile to yourself

lol, well played!
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Molad

13 years ago

What of if you worked professionally in an unrelated field to marketing? IS it still worth having a Linked in connection.

I have one right now..but it's more for my current day job

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MichaelParsons

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Molad

What of if you worked professionally in an unrelated field to marketing? IS it still worth having a Linked in connection.

I have one right now..but it's more for my current day job

Just because you were not marketing before, how is what you did related to marketing NOW?

Customer relations, organizational skills, networking, HTML, just about anything can be used in marketing (even made up words) and your life experiences are worth more than you know.

I am in an invite-only group for high level people in the gaming industry, yet I am NOT a game-related CEO, like 90% of those group members. I am in this group because I am a game player, not a CEO.

I remarked, in-group, that I may be the least important person in this group, to which the founder of the group (publicly) stated that I am among the most important members, as I am the end consumer of the product.

Let that sink in....

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MichaelParsons

13 years ago

Ignore the power of LinkedIn at your peril. It is social media, but not as most people know it.

Social media is where money is made, but LinkedIn is where Empires are built!

These are business people looking to do business, not for your CPA offer. They know what they want, but not necessarily how to do it online, which is where you position yourself as an expert on (not internet marketing) but exposing the power of the internet for the gain of these business people.

You have no idea how much business gets done on LinkedIn...

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sdentrepreneur

13 years ago

LinkedIn is a huge part of my success with Offline Marketing.
Many of my clients are on LinkedIn and I call it my online resume. I have over 1,300 connections and 40+ recommendations of my service. Sending them link to my profile pretty much closes the deal.
James Hickey | LinkedIn

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settingsail

13 years ago

Good for individual connections and business-to-business, but not for much else.

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patadeperro

13 years ago

Dexx, I was pretty much like you, but the other day I saw something in LinkedIn that grabbed my attention, it seems like they are going to start selling advertising via PPC, they are giving away 100 dollars of advertising if you qualify, not sure what is the qualifying process, but I fill up the request.

Why I think this is important? number one it is obvious that the traffic model via PPC is working for many companies, but I think it is a great way to sell B2B, when you are advertising in other platforms is mostly B2C, but I think that the profile of the people on this network will be more towards B2B, I am waiting to be approved for my free credit (I don't see why I would not be approved) and I will let you know how that goes.

Regards

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Voasi

13 years ago

Article just came out today on Linkedin and what you should do, etc...

LinkedIn: 5 Useful Tips to Leverage the Waking Giant - Search Engine Watch (SEW)

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ccurtin1 13 years ago

Newbie here but have utilized websites for my own B2B businesses since 96. I had over 3000+ contacts in my CRM and Opt In Email, but only 150 LinkedIn contacts. I have made a concerted effort to grow that and now have 700 or so.

My twitter and Constant Contact emails/events are tied into my linkedIn account. Twitter, Blog and LinkedIn are featured on my main website Bankers Advocate | Bankers Advocate, Florida Business Brokers, Exit Strategy & Merger Specialists

My most recent step was to hire a full time VA from the Philippines to update/add/touch all these contacts.

If you are a paid LinkedIn User you can search, reach out and touch X amount of potential clients/referral sources per month. I am going to have my VA telemarket/email them.

PS: I have set a budget for $100/month for PPC on LinkedIn for six months now. Not one click yet. However, my target audience is very small. Another project...
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- MichaelParsons 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by ccurtin1
  
  PS: I have set a budget for $100/month for PPC on LinkedIn for six months now. Not one click yet. However, my target audience is very small. Another project...
  
  LinkedIn users are B2B people who mostly do business with people they have spoke with, and sometimes are reluctant to just click an add.
  
  Connect with them personally, using their names, and see if your services can benefit them. People need to know and like you before they will trust you, and it's a little more important to gain trust on LinkedIn, and a little harder to do so as well.
  
  Remember, these are CEO's your marketing to. Your Facebook tactics will NOT work on LI!
  
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davechan

13 years ago

I've been using LinkedIn for a number of years. And interestingly got a notice from them thanking me for being number 108K or so out of 1M members now. You want to be as broad as possible with LinkedIn, without spamming. Join as many groups as will let you join and then "troll" through the connections to see who you can connect with.

Interestingly, though, many of the LinkedIn users are looking for jobs ... obviously not all, but be aware.

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karenloye

13 years ago

I found this free report from Hubspot that provides excellent information about how to use Linkedin effectively as a marketing tool. Terrific resource!

http://www.hubspot.com/Portals/53/do...he_experts.pdf

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Adam Lok

13 years ago

Since this post is about LinkedIn, hope these statistics are helpful...

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Pointer

13 years ago

I like Linked In and use it to keep in touch with my professional contacts and see what they are up too.

Recently I sent an email to a contact of mine who I haven't talked with in years. After reconnecting with her, she sent me a few solid referrals. I'm expecting to get at least one of them as a client. In addition to this, we're now more in-tune with what each other is doing professionally now. So one of the benefits of Linked In is reconnecting with previous business contacts.

I also like to add people who I've met at networking events. Linked In serves as a good way to nurture relationships. As time goes on, these connections get to see what you're up to and vice versa. Linked In can take that person you met once and turn them into a stronger business contact as time goes on.

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SamyE

13 years ago

See LinkedInForBusiness
This is a complete comprehensive course on linkedIn by Lewis Howes.
I bought the product and it rocks ....
Only 97.00
It has lots of videos and transcripts and is broken down into sections that make everything easy to find.

It has a bunch of stuff on how to use linkedIn for Business leads.

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Bayo

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Dexx

So back when LinkedIn first started I created a profile to see what all the excitement was about...never really touched the thing since...

Decided to login today and I see had a couple dozen "connection requests" or whatever, and see a couple of prospective clients that I talked with in the past in the list etc.

I think I might actually have to do some research and learn how to use this platform better, since it just recently crossed over the 100 million user mark...it's obviously got the potential to generate leads...

...but with that being said. Is there anyone currently finding successful results from LinkedIn? (i.e. referrals, new clients, great contacts etc.)

The one thing about LinkedIn that I don't quite get, is if I should be treating it like a virtual rolodex and just inviting / requesting connections with everyone on my list?

Some people on my list I barely know / spoke to once -- do you still add these people for the networking aspect of things?

Or is it more like FaceBook where some people only create connections with those they have met personally / have an existing introduction to already?

~Dexx

LinkedIn works

The secret is being visible to those who are your ideal clients over and above replicating what most IMers do i.e. jing groups and 'hang out' with people just like them who are unlikely to be their clients

BAYO

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caryduke

13 years ago

Just saw this thread today.

I recently hired a Fiverr to get me connections. Added 975 total for $5.

I then SEO'd my LinkedIn profile. If you do a search for Google Places or Local Search, I am #1.

Received my first lead today...

Not bad for 20 minutes of work and $5.

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KingOfContentMarketing

13 years ago

Here are several user guides that Linkedin put together for different use cases:
Consultants - LinkedIn Learning Center

I think the groups can be useful. Just like any forum it depends if you can find one for your specialty.

This is interesting:
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lif...dividends.html

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Vanessa Reece

13 years ago

One of my first clients came from Linkedin - I didn't know her from adam. She just contacted me through their pm system and we set up a meeting. After I closed the deal she then referred one of her contacts via linkedin to me - that business also became a client of mine.

Linkedin is definitely worth having and I have a lot of different skills and businesses (that are totally unrelated to coaching or consultancy) listed on my profile which hasn't hurt my ability to get connections or business.

I'm no where near using it as actively as I should but it's something I intend to rectify this year.

Recommendations help a great deal so always request them.

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iamchrisgreen

13 years ago

Originally Posted by ITS-V

One of my first clients came from Linkedin - I didn't know her from adam. She just contacted me through their pm system and we set up a meeting. After I closed the deal she then referred one of her contacts via linkedin to me - that business also became a client of mine.

Linkedin is definitely worth having and I have a lot of different skills and businesses (that are totally unrelated to coaching or consultancy) listed on my profile which hasn't hurt my ability to get connections or business.

I'm no where near using it as actively as I should but it's something I intend to rectify this year.

Recommendations help a great deal so always request them.

What's the best way you've found to get recommendations?

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Vanessa Reece 13 years ago

Originally Posted by iamchrisgreen

What's the best way you've found to get recommendations?

Hi Chris,

I literally just bounce a request to clients and anyone I've ever worked with.

There are some people I've worked with though I don't bother with - maybe they've just used my services to build a site and then gone on their merry way - but they don't network offline or online - therefore it doesn't seem to add weight.

I've found the active networking business owners can bring me referrals, especially when they have a nice list of their own on Linkedin.

One thing I'm also experimenting with is offering 30 mins free coaching in exchange for a review on Linkedin. The only thing is you have to resend requests sometimes because people forget. I'm due a few which reminds me to send them a nudge

Cheers,

V
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phaproduction

13 years ago

Great video and Info graphic...thanks!

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HorseStall

13 years ago

At the very least you can create a profile and you can get backlinks to your site from your LinkedIn profile. Its quick and easy to do.

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bateati

13 years ago

wow

I made a linkedin awhile ago myself but never touched it.

That video you posted really inspired me to log in and check it out. . . right now.

lol

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majay

13 years ago

thanks for the video

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iamchrisgreen

13 years ago

There really is quite a huge amount to LinkedIn and it's growing all the time.

I am in the throws of creating a guide to using LinkedIn and it will hopefully give you a ton of ways of building your prospect list and get you some more sales.

It's my first product that i've created, so bear with me while I make sure it's really really good.

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JannaCathrin

13 years ago

I use LinkedIn as a follow-up tool for all the networking I do to get local consulting clients, as well as a positioning tool.

Whenever I go to networking events I collect people's cards and connect to them on LinkedIn when I get home. I send an individual message to everyone and mention something unique that I got to know about them.

My Twitter, blog and Box.net accounts all feed into LinkedIn, so it shows that I am providing thought leadership, and keeping on top of developments in my industry.

My connections on LinkedIn also indicate that I am a well known and well connected person and many people look up my profile when I have been referred to them.

What I still want to explore on LinkedIn:
* lead generation through LinkedIn ads
* get more recommendations to my profile
* set up company profile in LinkedIn

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LinkedIn?

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