Powerpoint presented by the Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center for a Fundamentals of LinkedIn seminar presented on the ASU campus Thursday, July 25th. Presentation walked attendees through basics of Why LinkedIn is a valuable network for business professionals, how to set up profiles including discussions on endorsements, company pages, making connections, groups and more.

1. LinkedIn Basics For Business
The Professional Social Network
Presentation Herb Lawrence
ASU SBTDC Center Director Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

2.  Training
◦ Classes for new ventures and existing businesses
◦ Special conferences
 Research
◦ Sample business plans/Industry start-up guides
 Consulting
◦ One-on-one advisory services
 Web Site: http://www.astate.edu/a/sbtdc
© ASBTDC 2012 All Rights Reserved

3. ∗ 220 million Professionals in 200 Countries!
∗ 3 million Company Pages
∗ Executives from all Fortune 500 Companies are
members of this network.
∗ Relationships matter – connect with people in a new
way to prolong professional relationships & to create
new ones via your existing contacts!
∗ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVlUwwgOfKw&feature=player_embedded
What Is LinkedIn?

4. Social network for businesses and Professionals LinkedIn Stats 2012
Of course love to connect with you on LinkedIn

5. Why Online?

6. ∗ http://www.linkedin.com
∗ Have your recent resume ready!
∗ Company Names, Dates, Education
∗ Summary of Experience gained at each job or school!
∗ A professional headshot, or recognizable photo!
∗ Don’t be too casual with this photo, this is a professional
social network– not Facebook.
First Things First – Join LinkedIn

7. ∗ Why am I here?
∗ What do I want to accomplish with LinkedIn?
∗ What is my “VALUE PROPOSITION?
∗ How are others using LI in my Industry?
∗ How much time to dedicate?
∗ How does LinkedIn fit into my Overall Marketing Plan?
What Are My Goals?

8. ∗ Current Position
∗ At Least: 2 Past Positions
∗ Your Education
∗ Profile Summary – A short paragraph about yourself &
professional aspirations! (Remember Your Keywords!)
∗ Profile Photo – No Babies, No Partying. Keep it
Professional (Headshots work best!)
∗ Your Specialties - Helps for Endorsements!
∗ At least: 3 LinkedIn Recommendations
Profile Completeness:
What You Need To Get 100%

9. Connections Are Exponential!

10. ∗ Search for People.
∗ Import E-Mail Address Book
∗ Invite people to connect with you on
LinkedIn.
∗ Start with your community – search
for your professional circle first.
∗ Introduce Yourself – send messages
to members of your industry or
community that you have yet to
meet.
Finding Connections

11. ∗ Share your presence on LinkedIn on your business cards – this a
great way to build your connections online & meet new
contacts.
∗ Reach out to your clients in a professional way – Facebook is
great for building a casual relationship, but for business people
LinkedIn can work better!
∗ Your LinkedIn URL is located: On Your Profile – Under Education
& Recommendations. You can edit your URL to be easy to
remember!
Share Your LinkedIn URL

12. Your LinkedIn Toolbox
http://www.linkedin.com/static?key=tools

13. LinkedIn for Outlook

14. LinkedIn Toolbar – Internet Explorer & Firefox

15. LinkedIn Mobile

16. Share On LinkedIn Button

17. ∗ Latest Projects or Events You Are Showing
∗ Your latest specials, deals or news
∗ Tips for your customers/support info
∗ Links to your business online:
∗ Facebook Page
∗ Twitter Account
∗ Website
Update around 3 times a day – Morning, Afternoon, Evening*
Status Updates: What Should You Share?

18. ∗ http://www.linkedin.com
Let’s Take A Look At LinkedIn!

19. ∗ Educates
∗ Informs
∗ Entertains
∗ Provides Value
∗ Builds Trust
∗ Creates Relationships…then
∗ SELLS……
What is Good Content

20. Why Good Content Matters

21. ∗ Video
∗ Images, pictures –
∗ Articles
∗ Infographics
∗ eBooks/White Papers
∗ Webinars
∗ Podcasts
∗ Coupons/discounts/special offers
How to Spread Content
Know how subscribers in different networks PREFER to receive your content

22. ∗ Follow other Companies – local, industry, or partners.
∗ Search for Jonesboro, Paragould, Memphis companies who
are already set up on LinkedIn.
∗ Set-Up Your Own Company Profile- (only one person needs to
do this!)
∗ Get your employees who are active on LinkedIn involved with
the company profile!
http://marketing.linkedin.com/sites/default/files/LinkedinCompanyPageGuide.pdf
Company Profiles

23. ∗ BE SURE YOU READ THE DIRECTIONS!
∗ Use your WORK email- @astate.edu
∗ You do not want to attach a personal email to the Company
Profile (Why? no one else in the company can list it.)
∗ Shrink Your Logo – 100x60 pixels
∗ Pick the BEST Company Type & be honest about the size!
Setting Up Your Company Profile

24. ∗ Keywords, Keywords, Keywords!
∗ Company Specialties are really important!
∗ Discuss with your owner & fellow employees what your
Company Description should be!
∗ No ESSAYS! Be direct, professional & simple!
Its like a first impression- make it count!
Don’t Forget …

25. ∗ Don’t just create a profile – get involved with Group
Conversations, actively add your contacts to LinkedIn &
respond to recommendation requests or messages!
∗ Seek out those who would recommend you, too!
∗ Update your LinkedIn Status– share your professional news!
∗ Example: Real Estate Agent lists a new home – share the
details! Your connections may be more likely to buy a home
from someone they know than a complete stranger!
Don’t Give Up!

26. ∗ Hootsuite.com
∗ Buffer.com
Read all about these and other scheduling tools at our
Storify article “Scheduling Tools for Beginners”
Tools to Save Time

27. ∗ E-mail hlawrenc@astate.edu
∗ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/asu.sbtdc
∗ Facebook http://www.facebook.com/herb.lawrence
∗ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/asbtdc_asu
∗ LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/asusbtdc
∗ Google Plus
https://plus.google.com/u/0/116773498364928584762/
posts
∗ Oh… or call me (870) 972-3517
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