Page 195 - Social Media Marketing for Dummies

» Supply a professional photo.
This is a key item. People don’t like to admit it, but they like to be able to
picture the person which whom they’re connecting. It’s not a beauty contest.
Get a professional photo with appropriate attire. Save the pose with your
favorite pooch for Facebook.
» Use links other than just websites.

Don’t be too literal. You can put in any link that you want to send people to.
It doesn’t have to be your main website. Just make sure that any links you
provide are relevant and polish your brand.
Check your links periodically. The last thing you want is for a recruiter or a
potential business partner being taken to dead links off your profile page.
» Look at the ways in which you can list your achievements.
The possible sections available include Education, Certifications, Patents,
Languages, Honors and Awards, Organizations, Projects, Publications, and
Test Scores. Use any of these that are pertinent. You have wide latitude here
to really showcase your talents.

» Ask for recommendations.
LinkedIn provides a recommendations tool that you can use to solicit com-
ments from people who have been impressed by you. This could include a
coworker, manager, or client. Obviously, you want to have great recommen-
dations, but don’t go crazy at the start. Perfunctory recommendations from
your friends aren’t all that valuable. If someone has some real value to add,
ask for their recommendation when you get started. This section will grow
organically because your colleagues want to commend you (and have you
commend them) for a job well done.
» Start making connections.
Connections are at the heart of LinkedIn’s success. You are here to build your
network. Remember that these connections are people who will help you
reach your goals, so make them meaningful. Don’t be in a race to see how
many connections you can get. After you reach 500 connections, LinkedIn lists
your connections as 500+. See more details in “Finding connections,” later in
this chapter.
To make it easier for other LinkedIn members to endorse you, make sure to
add a list of skills that you want to highlight in the Skills section of your profile.
When other members look at the list, they can pick from skills that you want
them to endorse instead of inventing them.

CHAPTER 11 Considering LinkedIn 179