Once you move beyond the generic “add connections” option that LinkedIn has, you might want to specifically search for and increase your connections with people aligned with whatever connection policy you might have.  The challenge is that restrictions exist within LinkedIn that may prevent you from inviting others you don’t personally know.  You are entitled to try to connect with people without knowing their email address, but once five people respond to your invitation to connect by nothing that they don’t know you, your ability to connect will be restricted. Once you’ve decided to connect with professionals that aren’t part …

Your LinkedIn profile is the public-facing summary of who you are, what you represent, what your professional history is, and your area of expertise.  In essence, your profile is a snapshot of the brand you are sharing with the entire world. It’s only natural, then, that increasing the Inbound Marketing potential of our profile can lead to more exposure – and business – from our target audience. When you establish your profile in a way that highlights your company’s expertise and outlines how you can assist potential customers, you maximize the business opportunities for you and your business.  Although you might …

As 2011 leaves us and we begin 2012, sometimes it takes time for us to catch up in the world of social media to all of the new applications as well as new features from older applications that we have been inundated with. Take LinkedIn, who introduced us many new features in 2011 that you might not already be leveraging as the new year in 2012 begins. It seems that LinkedIn is always tinkering with ways to improve the user experience of its members and to provide them with the necessary tools and features to help them gain a leg …

Whether you plan to use LinkedIn as an individual, or to represent a business, you will be interacting with and be seen by others without having a chance to meet them.  And, while corporate websites give us complete control over how we depict our brands, products, and personnel, LinkedIn levels the playing field by stripping away the design elements and simply presenting every user in basically the same way.  Additionally, others may make decisions on whether or not they want to do business with you based on how you’ve utilized your LinkedIn profile. This is exactly why social media, including …

Successful social media marketing is about knowing where your customers are and establishing a presence there.  It is clear that professionals from all demographics are spending a great deal of time with social media, and that Facebook is the main networking site where we spend (or rather, waste) our time.  However, simply because many people are on Facebook does not mean it’s the best use of time and effort for businesses.  As a matter of fact, if you asked most people what they use their social networking channels for, they would say Facebook for personal and private use, and LinkedIn …

In consulting with businesses on their social media strategy, I often use success stories from LinkedIn’s own blog to illustrate how business can be developed on LinkedIn.  I also talk about my own success story, which is included in full detail in my new LinkedIn marketing book, and summarized as follows: As my job involves staying abreast of the latest discussions and news concerning social media, I am a member of a number of LinkedIn Groups that relate to the topic.  I learn a lot from these groups, develop relationships with new people, and engage in discussions where appropriate as well.  In …