LinkedIn: Edit On The Go Feature

Just days ago LinkedIn released an update to their app, for both iOS and Android. In this update one of the most requested features appeared. Now you can update your profile with a new headline, add recent skills, or add a new position so your professional identity is always up to date.

There is also this video to show how easy it is to update your profile from your phone:

A feature I would like to see on LinkedIn app is the ability to tailor the message when sending an invite.

What would you like to see? Enter you ideas in the comments below

Category: LinkedIn | No Comments »

How should your Linkedin profile be written? 3rd or 1st Person? [The Results]

LinkedIn is one of the most powerful tools to demonstrate the value of YOU. I have always pondered what is the best way to convey your persona, should your writing style be in the third person “Ben always takes time to help” or the first person “I enjoy helping people”

To answered this I ran a poll on LinkedIn and I was delighted to have one hundred and seventy one people respond, here are the results

What were the demographics for each answer?

 

 

There were over 28 comments add here are some of the highlights:

Guy likes when an applicant can express themselves to Guy effectively and accurately.

I for one think that first person is the only way to go with both. To me, a CV or LinkedIn profile written in the third person reads like a film promotion

I think your LinkedIn profile should be written the same as a resume where you never use the word “I”

I think in case of 1st person, too much of “I” sounds arrogant.

1st is always the best in speaking or in writing terms.

3rd person implies arrogance or ignorance, both of which are an automatic turn-off

Unless you’re royalty, I think the 1st person reads better… makes one sound less pretentious

I think first person definitely, after all its all about you!

The first person unless you are a novelist!

 

To summarize the comments there seems to be two trains of thought. If you are using the platform to find your next job most are saying that a third person style is preferred. If you are using the platform to build relationships and demonstrate the value of YOU then first person wins hands down.

If you would like to read more of the comments please see the link below.

 

As the poll is now closed why not add your thoughts in the comments and keep this debate going! Thanks for reading

Category: LinkedIn | No Comments »

LinkedIn unveil new Profile layout

LinkedIn are rolling out further changes to their members over the next three months. These enhancements will help you to; tell your professional story easier with better visual elements, discover people and opportunities with greater insights and simpler ways to uncover common interests and engage with your network.

If you’d like to be one of the first ones to get the new Profile, you can sign up here: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/sample.

Meet the New LinkedIn Profile: A Better Way to Connect and Build Relationships

With this many changes so quickly is the platform at risk of losing members?

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They asked, “Do you facebook?” I said no

They asked, “Do you Facebook?” I said no, (ok I fibbed, I am on it, I use it to stalk my wife, it saves having a conversation later) joke hunny!

They said this would be an eye opening webinar, that Facebook was a sales tool in disguise, that sales people could build better relationships, reach new clients and drive sales. I was intrigued because I and I will be honest, dislike Facebook. But as always, I was receptive to being converted, so I allocated an hour of my time to revisit and maybe discover this potential.

I wasn’t converted and for 24 hours I struggled to understand why. I understood the privacy settings, the creation of groups and how you can feed different messages to different parts of your network, I get that, much like Google+.

My conclusion was that it must be more than just one thing, so here are three.

1) The webinar was run by a marketer, (nothing wrong with that of course.) But the conversation revolved around demonstrations of what brands were doing. Not what or how an individual sales person could benefit.

2) I have yet to hear someone in a B2B environment say “hello C’suite, will you be my friend on Facebook?”. Even rephrasing it to “Join my network on Facebook” doesn’t sound right.

3) With other platforms that I use for business, engagement and relationship building cant I just have one place that is mine where I can relax, chill out and if I feel the need to just talk rubbish I can. Yes I know your can separate by using the groups, but it just means they’re in the room next door.

So here’s my question? Can I convince you, the sales person, that Facebook is not the place for connecting with your clients?

Twitter – Business Networking on Steroids!

(also written from a Brand perspective just to be fair)

Seventy nine percent of Twitter followers (versus 60 percent of Facebook fans) are more likely to recommend brands since becoming a fan or follower.
Sixty seven percent of Twitter followers (versus 51 percent of Facebook fans) are more likely to buy the brands they follow.
Facebook’s shared links average three clicks, while Twitter’s tweets generate nineteen clicks on average

Want more? Ok!

Twitter users generated double the median monthly leads of non-Twitter users.
Consumers active on Twitter are three times more likely to affect a brand’s online reputation through syndicated Tweets, blog posts, articles and product reviews.
Twenty percent of consumers indicate they have followed a brand on Twitter in order to interact with the company – more than e-mail subscribers or Facebook fans.

If that doesn’t sway you, then there is always LinkedIn – where it does feel right to say “Join my network of business professionals”

See my LinkedIn posts

Statistic credits to
http://www.businessinsider.com/twitter-destroys-facebook-2010-12
http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1007639
http://www.exacttarget.com/

Category: FaceBook, LinkedIn, Sales, Social Business, Social Media, Twitter | 6 Comments »

Smoke Signals! – Are you listening to me?

If your on LinkedIn and regularly visit, you will be familiar with the home page and the stream of updates from your network. A great way of keeping in touch, listening, sharing and engaging where appropriate.

It is a great opportunity to share something that grabs your attention, with others and to say “Great article, thanks for sharing” or “Here is my opinion”. Not only does it notify your  network they also show in the poster’s network. Visibility to others is KEY.

Take this example today – an interesting debate on customer services from Rob Wilmot. I liked it and by doing so shared the article to my network. I also wrote a comment directly on the post.

Whilst my first degree connections are all interesting people, providing great content, I want to know what my second degree and sharing and posting. Did you know you can?

Pop into LinkedIn and go to Signal – you can find it under the heading of news. Now you have the chance to see those smoke signals that have always proved a challenge to get to.

You can even play around with the settings to pick out “seniority” or even “company”. You can save them for future perusal. So add your likes, your comments, get your self visible to people you want to get through to. Earn the right through social capital to have that coffee.

Do you currently use this? What success’s have you had? Did you know you could do this?

Category: LinkedIn, Relationships, Sales | 3 Comments »

How to really used LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the proverbial dark horse of social media. We all know it’s there, but few of us use it to its full potential.

With just a little bit of effort you will see how the powerful social site can help you market yourself and your business far more than you imagined.

 LINKEDIN BOOT CAMP

LinkedIn is the proverbial dark horse of social media. We all know it’s there, but few of us use it to its full potential. This is a major mistake, especially when it comes to marketing yourself or your business. This Linkedin basic boot camp training will give you the tools necessary to use the site for all your business and personal needs.

When it comes to marketing yourself and your business. most people go straight to Facebook because of the sheer size of its user base. But demographically speaking, Linkedin has a leg up.

Linkedin has over 170 Million worldwide members {Up date – 200 million January 2013}  – 77% of Linkedin users are age 25 and above. – The average household income of a Linked users is $109,000

A RUN THROUGH THE LINKEDIN GAUNTLET

Linkedin is a network full of people who love, you guessed it, networking. They are the movers and shakers of their industries. These are the people you want to know about you and your business. Yes, Facebook ad Twitter can be powerful tools, but Linkedin users are know to be especially serious about their jobs, industry and social networks. With that in mind you must shift tactics when it comes to marketing yourself on Linkedin, as conversations and content are geared toward cultivating partnerships and advancing business than posting silly pictures from parties.

The following will get you in shape for the trials ahead.

CORE CONDITIONING – Complete your profile

Because your Linkedin profile generally ranks in the tops five google search results for your first and last name, your profile must be completely filled out. First impressions are everything, skimping on your profile will quickly decrease your value. Before moving on, take a moment to complete your profile.

AMMO – Customise your URL and websites

Neglecting this no-brainer move is a rookie mistake. Luckily it only takes a few moments to correct. When filling out your profile, customise your URL to reflect your name. Find this in the “edit profile” screen. If you have a blog or a web site to add, select “other” in the drop down menu and customise it. Don’t leave “Company Website” in there. The first web site is used by search engines. Call it what it is, allowing your page to rise in the rankings.

TONING – Spice up your image

Your profile now needs some pizazz, style, value. A bland lifeless profile turns of potential contacts, so let your personal creativity shine through. Use stories, video, recommendations etc., to quicly tell others who you are, what your about and how you can HELP THEM

STEALTH TATICS – optimise your search rankings

Many people use Linkedin to search for experts in their field, a new job, or connections. They search for keywords on Linkedin that you can rank highly in. Optimisation takes a bit of time and effort,, but it’s well worth it when you rank number one when someone searches for “social” or “management” for example. Incorporate key words into – Your headline / Your current work experience / Your past work experience / Your summary / Your specialties

HEAVY WEIGHT – Join groups

Linkedin groups give you the most mileage out of your experience. What ever your industry or business, join groups that will put you in touch with other experts in your industry. Try starting your own group and establish yourself as an expert in the field. Like a mini social network, these niche groups will foster discussion, spread your message and connect you with key people

SPECIAL WEAPONS – Add applications

There are a variety of applications that Linkedin has integrated into its site that make it easier for you to promote your work and improve your profile’s overall visitor experience. Browse through the applications and see which ones work best for you, your industry and your overall message.

All apps have been removed, we are yet to learn if they, or new ones will make a return. If you are still wanting a secret weapon that no one knows about – read this blog post “Smoke Signals”

What other hints and tips have you got……

Category: LinkedIn, Social Media | No Comments »