When Jennifer and I do social media trainings one the key things folks ask us about is why they should use Linkedin.com if they’re already going gangbusters on Facebook?
The key thing to remember about Facebook vs. Linkedin.com is that Facebook is your playground and Linkedin.com is your boardroom.
Treat Linkedin.com as your virtual office to connect with like-minded peers, partners, customers and groups. Keep your Linkedin.com profile shiny, clear, specific and find the groups you need to join on Linkedin.com that will keep you in the company of the best and the brightest.
Three groups to join on Linkedin.com no matter who you are and where you’re doing business from:
1. Your college alumni groups
2. Your hometown and surrounding geographic Linkedin Group – like LinkedinAustin or LinkedinSeattle.
3. Your trade and association groups. This is important because it really helps you come into contact with folks who you might later be able to work with, present at a speaking event or provide peer support to.
Facebook is grand and fun and there are some fantastic marketing initiatives that are based on soft-sell that you can roll out on Facebook, but to truly serve yourself well, you also need to stay connected on Linkedin.com and use all its functionality.
Other things you need to do on Linkedin.com include:
1. Rewrite your short bio so that the keywords really match your best expertise and you can capitalize on organic search.
2. Have at least three recommendations on your Linkedin.com profile for your work. Transparent, authentic and wonderful!
3. At least once a month answer an Expert Question in your vertical, or post an Expert question to your connections. This is a fantastic edu-focus tool where you can shine and help people all at the same time.
4. Update your Linkedin status at least twice weekly.
5. Make sure your blog is mirrored under your Linkedin.com profile so if people come to your Linkedin.com profile they also see your blog posts.
Now go and connect!
