Local Expert Needed: Using LinkedIn

Did you know that you can use LinkedIn.com's free features to build your reputation as a local expert in your niche? Well, if not, you do now! LinkedIn.com is a more formal social network made especially for business. You're not going to get on LinkedIn.com to update your connections about the potty habits of your pets or children. You're not going to make comments about the woman in front of you in line who smells like a skunk. No, on LinkedIn.com, you're going to keep it all business, all the time.

On LinkedIn.com you have a variety of tools at your fingertips. When you first to get to LinkedIn.com, what you'll see is the home page, profile page, contact page, groups, jobs, inbox, companies, news and more. Believe it or not, you can use all the features on LinkedIn.com for free. While there is an upgraded version you can get for a small monthly fee, I highly recommend that you use the free version first to see where take you.

Let's go over the different areas of LinkedIn.com, and discuss the best ways to get the most out of LinkedIn.com, and to establish you as a local business expert.

Home page

On the LinkedIn home page you will see a stream of updates from other members of LinkedIn. Every time you make a change, share an update, make a new connection, or have any activity on your LinkedIn.com account, it will show up on the stream. This ‘stream’ provides a lot of opportunities to become a local expert and keep themselves at the forefront of their connections minds.

Your Profile

Your profile is probably the single most important aspect of your LinkedIn.com account. Unlike other social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter, it is very important and that you establish a very professional presence on LinkedIn.com. Use the most professional picture that you have, or find a local photographer to take a new proto. The next aspect of your profile that is very important is that the headline that is under your name.

Creating a key word rich headline will garner a lot more searches for your business. Don't try to be clever with your headline, instead be very direct, if you are a virtual assistant, or a marketing expert, or are you sell widgets at a local store this is the time to say so.

The next important part of your profile is your summary. Your summary should describe a complete picture of what you do, in other words it explains your "why" for being. Naturally, you should include keyword rich data so that your target market can find you.

It's also important to list your current business name, links to your website, and any other relevant information that will help your customers find you.

One really exciting feature is the ability to add sections to your profile. A section could be a stream of your blog, a twitter and link, or your Facebook link, for instance. Don't be shy; add every relevant business oriented section that you can. Your profile is where you can shine.

Contacts

Once you complete your professional profile, it's time to invite contacts. Look through your contact list, people that you already know, and choose those highly valuable people whom you want to invite to connect with you on LinkedIn.com.

Unlike other social Media Networks, focus on quality connections over quantity. Your goal is to establish your expertise in your particular niche. There is no need to add your mother, your sister, your children, or your best friend unless these people are also valuable business connections.

Groups

Now, look through the different local groups that are relevant to your target audience. While it is okay to join groups consisting of other professionals that do exactly what you do to advance your professional development, what you're really looking for here are groups that consist of your target audience.

Initially, limit the group you join to 2 to 4 so that you can have time to participate fully. Once you are a member of the group, answer questions and ask questions without dispensing any sort of spam to the members. Frankly, people are sick and tired of social network users who do not participate, but instead compulsively link unrelated content all over the place.

Finally, look through jobs, inbox, companies, news, and the ‘more’ features. Learn about each of these areas so that you can use them to their maximum benefit. Becoming a local expert can increase your sales exponentially. Put your best foot forward, act with integrity, and before you know it you too, will be an established LinkedIn.com local business expert.

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