Are you on LinkedIn?

Formed in 2003, LinkedIn is a social media site that seeks to help the world’s professionals be more successful.

People use LinkedIn to help promote their brand, increase their company’s profitability, to expand their network, to land a job, and simply to engage with other professionals worldwide.

185_1[1]

Although not as well known as Facebook or Twitter, LinkedIn recently surpassed the 200 million mark.

Some users complain that it has become too busy and complicated. Personally, I like the changes made by LinkedIn over the last six months.

To effectively leverage LinkedIn, you need to have a robust profile. To get an idea of how I approach LinkedIn, check out my profile at www.linkedin.com/in/joycefeustel/

hand_button_human_07[1]

Here are 9 tips for effectively leveraging LinkedIn:

  • Create a catchy, memorable and specific Professional Headline – you have up to 160 characters, so do more than just list your job title
  • Post ALL your Contact Information, including your email address, phone number, website, blog, links to your other social media sites and any other relevant information
  • Showcase yourself and your strengths in the Summary and Specialty section so that you stand out from the crowd
  • Include high level volunteer positions, as well as paid positions in the Experience section –  don’t just tuck them into the volunteer experiences section
  • Make note of the Honors and Awards you have received, along with the Publications and Projects you have completed
  • Solicit Recommendations for your paid and professional positions –  be sure these are specific to your contributions in that role
  • To get a particular skill to show up higher in the Skills and Expertise section, request that your connections endorse you for that skill.
  • Join at least 10 or more groups (you can be in up to 50 groups) and then contribute to the cyberspace conversation in at least some of those groups
  • Share your Interests, Causes and Volunteer Experiences – to help people know more about you

What parts of the LinkedIn profile do you think are especially important?

What tips do you have for other LinkedIn users?

joycefeustel_1334461223_600[1]

Joyce Feustel, Founder of Boomers’ Social Media Tutor, helps people relatively new to social media to become more effective and comfortable in their use of this medium.  Find her at www.boomerssocialmediatutor.com