Linkedin - Keeping in the Loop
LinkedIn is a terrific professional networking tool. Not only can you (and you should) be posting updates on your Profile page, but you're also able to keep up on what your associates (connections) are up to from their updates. Regularly browsing through the current updates will keep you current.
Here is a list of simple LinkedIn DOs and DON'Ts for networking:
DO: check updates (and post your own) regularly... at least once per week if not more.
DO: send messages to your contacts -- you can do it right from their update. If they have posted their update to Twitter, you can post a comment/response to their update and 'Like' their status. This keeps your name and your company in front of potential clients/associates.
DO: send private messages to your connections with updates, well-wishes, notes of congratulations, etc.
DO: send notes and updates to new clients, You can send a message to multiple contacts at once by selecting them from the Contact - My Connections list and clicking 'send message."
DO: request introductions via LinkedIn from current clients and request recommendations (we'll go more into depth on referrals in the next post)
DO: Tag your Contact List: Under contacts - My Connections you can select from your contact list and 'tag' them as colleagues, parnters, new clients, etc in order to better organize your contact list.
DON'T: Spam ... regular contact is good... going overboard is not.
DON'T: Make it personal... keep it professional.
DON'T: Use a hard sell... this is networking, establishing and maintaining relationships
In the next post we'll discuss using LinkedIn to get referrals and to do company research.
Friday, July 22, 2011
LinkedIn Strategies - Part 3
So you've set up your profile, reached out to friends to make initial connections and are posting status updates regularly. Next steps? Explore Groups.
Under the Header - Groups - you have the ability to follow a group of interest or even create your own.
If you're not sure what Groups may interest you, LinkedIn suggests 'Groups You May Like' based on your profile information. You can Join Group from the button on the right of each Group Name or find 'Similar Groups'. For a listing of all groups available or to search all groups go to the 'General Groups Directory' from the Group Header.
Once you've joined a group, you'll be copied (based on your email settings) on all postings, you can post comments, participate in discussions and network with people in your industry or who share your common professional interests. Many Groups now also have the opportunity for members to post Promotions and Jobs.
Many Groups Now are set up as 'Open' Groups which means that the discussions can be seen by non-LinkedIn members and shared on Twitter and Facebook. 'Members Only' groups are private and require acceptance to be included.
One of the goals of making status updates in LinkedIn is to gain credibility as an expert in your field. Joining groups is also another great tool to let your expertise become known by starting and participating in discussions, not to mention... maybe learn something new from your peers.
For the hotel industry, some groups to look into:
So you've set up your profile, reached out to friends to make initial connections and are posting status updates regularly. Next steps? Explore Groups.
Under the Header - Groups - you have the ability to follow a group of interest or even create your own.
If you're not sure what Groups may interest you, LinkedIn suggests 'Groups You May Like' based on your profile information. You can Join Group from the button on the right of each Group Name or find 'Similar Groups'. For a listing of all groups available or to search all groups go to the 'General Groups Directory' from the Group Header.
Once you've joined a group, you'll be copied (based on your email settings) on all postings, you can post comments, participate in discussions and network with people in your industry or who share your common professional interests. Many Groups now also have the opportunity for members to post Promotions and Jobs.
Many Groups Now are set up as 'Open' Groups which means that the discussions can be seen by non-LinkedIn members and shared on Twitter and Facebook. 'Members Only' groups are private and require acceptance to be included.
One of the goals of making status updates in LinkedIn is to gain credibility as an expert in your field. Joining groups is also another great tool to let your expertise become known by starting and participating in discussions, not to mention... maybe learn something new from your peers.
For the hotel industry, some groups to look into:
- Hotel Industry Professionals Worldwide
- Travel 7 Tourism Industry Professionals Worldwide
- MPI's (Meeeting Planners International) Meeting & Event Discussion Group
- American Hotel and Lodging Association
- Hotel Technologies & Software
- Subgroup -- Hotel Revenue Management
- Hotel Marketing + Distrubution + Revenue Management
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