using linkedin to expand your power network

www.yoursocialmediamentor.com

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Using To Expand Your Power Network

Presented by: Vanessa CabreraYour Social Media Mentor, Inc.


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Your Social Media Mentor – Vanessa Cabrera

Chief Creative OfficerYour Social Media Mentor, Inc.www.yoursocialmediamentor.com

[email protected]

facebook.com/yoursocialmediamentor

twitter.com/vanessacabrera

linkedin.com/in/vanessacabrera


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You Can’t Afford Not to Pay Attention to LinkedIn

• LinkedIn is the 12 Most Visited Site in the World (Alexa)• LinkedIn reaches into over 200 countries • Today there are over 275 million users Worldwide• Percentage of users that check LinkedIn daily = 40%!• Over 2 Million LinkedIn Groups• 8,000 Groups created weekly


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1. Upload a Decent Profile Picture

Your LinkedIn profile photo sets the tone for everything else a viewer will experience on your page — just like match.com or Instagram. Except LinkedIn isn’t match.com or Instagram. It’s the world’s largest professional network. So that means:

• No blurry photos• No photos of you cropped out of a group shot• No photos of you at a ball park (unless you’re gunning to work for one)• No avatars• And for goodness sake, no selfies!

Building A Stunning LinkedIn Profile


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2. Your Headline = You, NOT Your Job

The headline of your LinkedIn profile is highly searchable. I know that no one on LinkedIn is looking for “President of Your Social Media Mentor.” So I list something more search-friendly that speaks of what I do on a daily basis — and for which people may want to hire me. “Social Media Strategist that specializes in Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Email Marketing” paints a much better picture of who I am and how I can help potential clients.

Building A Stunning LinkedIn Profile


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Whatever you do, don’t leave the summary blank or limit it to a few bland sentences. This is your chance to be creative and describe who you are and what you’re passionate about.

Make it personal, while also highlighting key accomplishments you don’t want anyone to miss.

Thanks toLinkedInsights for sharing some great examples, including Paul H. Simon’s summary

3. Write a Killer Summary!

http://www.linkedinsights.com/3-stunning-good-linkedin-profile-summaries

http://www.linkedinsights.com/3-stunning-good-linkedin-profile-summaries


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You can now be endorsed for specific skills by others, lending credibility to you.

Second, this part can also be searched for. If you have unique skills or technical abilities, you should list them here. This will let people looking to work with you find you.

Adding information here is like doing a bit of SEO for yourself!

Tip: If someone endorses you for one of your key skills, endorse them back for one of theirs. Social Media Etiquette 101

4. Use the Power of Endorsements


8Most profiles on LinkedIn are just plain text – how boring is that? Build a visual profile and you’ll instantly stand out. This LinkedIn feature (called “Professional Portfolio”) allows you to share presentations, photos, videos, links, PDFs, and more. So use it to your advantage and show off your creative work!

What a difference! I added just a few visuals to my Summary, a photo of one of my speaking engagements, a link to yoursocialmediamentor.com, and links to three of my presentations. It already looks MUCH better.

5. Build a Multimedia Profile

http://www.yoursocialmediamentor.com/


9How to Use LinkedIn to Get Ahead in Your Career

LinkedIn is no longer considered the social platform where one goes to look for a job. Many employed individuals are strategically using LinkedIn to get ahead within their current job positions.

How are they using LinkedIn to advance their careers?

• By showcasing how valuable they are thru recommendations & endorsements• Being active and positioning yourself as an expert in your field• Taking the initiative to problem solve, add value, land more clients etc by building their “Power Network” via LinkedIn Groups!• Connecting with people who perhaps work in a department you’re interested in joining


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How to Use LinkedIn to Get Ahead

Showcase Your Value via Recommendations

Ask for recommendations!

These make for a priceless first impression! You know people who would gladly recommend your work, so ask them to do so. But don’t rely on LinkedIn to do the asking for you with their recommendations request feature. The best approach is to ask in person or to write a personal email sincerely expressing what their recommendation would mean to you.


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Get Active & Position Yourself as an Expert

Start posting/sharing articles, blogs, videos etc…you find interesting. Your connections will see how you are keeping abreast of the latest news within your field.


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Follow your own company

It’s surprising how many employees do not follow their own company’s page on LinkedIn. Where’s the company pride, people? Seriously, show that you’re a proud team player and affiliate yourself with your current employer’s page.

Once you start following the company page, start to comment and or share the company’s posts. More employees will begin to know who you are, and you may even peak the interest of a higher up!


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Join & GET ACTIVE Within LinkedIn Groups

Network in LinkedIn groups.

Your groups will show up in your profile and demonstrate your interests.

But beyond that, LinkedIn groups are also a great way to meet people in your industry and have a meaningful conversation.


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These groups are a valuable resource, so use them! When you run into a challenge you don’t know how to solve, find a group of similar professionals who’ve likely run into the same problem.

Taking the initiative on problem solving will make you look like a rock star.

Ask for help. And help others in return – they’ll remember the favor!


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Target who you want to connect with!

Want to strengthen your connection with someone whom you’re interested in joining their division within the company? Look at what groups they belong to and are active, then join that group as well and showcase your expertise!

Joining and being active within groups is the fastest and most effective way to start to build your Power Network! Once group members see your posts on a regular basis, and you begin to communicate with group members on a regular basis, they will be more inclined to accept an invitation to connect.

No longer are you just another profile on LinkedIn, but an active expert within the world’s largest professional on-line network!


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Your Social Media Mentor – Vanessa Cabrera

Chief Creative OfficerYour Social Media Mentor, Inc.www.yoursocialmediamentor.com

[email protected]

facebook.com/yoursocialmediamentor

twitter.com/vanessacabrera

linkedin.com/in/vanessacabreraTHANK YOU!