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December 01, 2009

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I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one these days..

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i reading your blog today It was very interesting and informative.

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Your profile isn’t meant to replace your resume but it should tell your visitors who you are. There are some key areas that not only allow you to tell your story but provide an opportunity to add keywords naturally into your profile.

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Great Article Has informative details as well. I really enjoyed the tips I fell like to implement your precious tips in my work for the promotion of our events.

Chris Cooper

I think as with most things its about being consistent and persistent. We found this when trying to establish a designer radiators site.

aiden smith

Thank you for reminding my how important it is to stay on top of LinkedIn.hank you so much for this valuable information! I always look forward to your posts!

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bob shoemaker

Great advice. I truly believe LinkedIn profiles are huge. Everyone looks at them to check you out.

Getting recommendations is huge and shows Social Proof.


Well put. Thanks for sharing.

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Emma Jones

Nice your most of the points are correct.Your observations are really good.

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You mentioned really important 7 points to care about and it's important to describe all in a proper manner.

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LinkedIn is one of the most popular professional network. It's a platform where you'll find professionals only and it's helpful to promote your business.

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Oh that's a great post i have made an account to Linkedin and i'm new to it.

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Enormous post-- you make so many points that simply make knowledge for me. Thanks for this informative post.

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Great job as usual - I have not met anyone who uses LinkedIn as effectively and explains it as thoroughly as you.

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I think allowing your profile to go dormant, i.e. not updating your status line for 3 or more months is a mistake. Keeping it fresh is very important.

Hein Koegelenberg

Sean
Great job,it does make .I like the detail in which you answer the questions.
Regards
Hein

Nick Matyas

So nice and good posting. i liked it. keep going. :)

http://www.webroyalty.com

Sunita

Hi. Its a great article, particularly the fixes. This has motivated me to work on my Li brand !

Thanks and keep at it!

Andy

Thanks Sean,
In the rare cases I read advice like this, it is often just "okay" at best. Your thoughts are solid and a good incentive to pay attention.

Andy

Priya

Hey Sean,

Thats very useful info... Thanks!

Looking forward for such more articles..

Regards,
Priya

Kevin Baughen

Sorry, but the level of sycophancy is making me cringe... in fact I can't get past it to objectively consider the points originally made.

That said, I do have two thoughts:

Photos - should be linked to who you are which hopefully is inherent in what you do. I am tired of seeing cheesy, side-parting hairstyles on men and enormous shoulder-padded women with expensive hair! This image does not scream 'professional' to everyone and certainly not in every culture. It actually says 'you have no imagination and are likely to be way too conservative for me to want to build a relationship with you'.

Groups - I access this blog through a Linked-in group which I used to find very useful. It now has around a gazillion members and so it is little more than wallpaper; impossible to get to the valid content. It is also very US-centric. This isn't at all bad but it is awfully assumptive sometimes. As above, we don't all have the same definition of business, you know...

Dave Lewis

Sean, good insight. I will print out the steps when I get home tonight. I have been with LI for a little while now and have found myself browsing and scanning more so than actively and consistently participating in many of the discussions. I guess you could say I have been cherry picking. It's not that the desire hasn't been there, it's just that my time utilization has been developing useful, valuable content for everyone before the introduction of my specific enterprise. Thanks again for your expertise.

PS: If you would like to take a peak preview of a work in progress, you can pop over to my blog. It's fairly new. Remember a work in progress with the time I have.
Dave Lewis
Meet You at The Top

Cindy Mullins

Very helpful advice. Thanks for sharing. I'll be sure to share it with my online networks. Not to be picky, but as a long-time editor and publisher, double spaces after periods are no longer used. It leaves unsightly "rivers" in the text. I learned from hearing the complaints of DTP designers and publishers who have to take them out for you before flowing the text into their software programs. I bet we took typing 101 the same year in high school.

Sean Nelson

Kirk,

I agree and disagree with you. I'm a big proponent of Client recommendations. If a client recommends you it is a huge credibility builder.

I'm not as big of a fan of colleague or business partner recommendations. But some people do not work directly with client's so that is their only option.

Sean

Sean Nelson

Gary,

Thanks for the comments on the "glamor photo". Business head shots are a safe way to go and they typically give you a close up of the person's face. That can be important.

The more important point is that the photo is just a reflection of how you want to present yourself. I like to see who I'm dealing with. Others may not care.

As long as the photo doesn't stand out as a negative. Products shots, logo's, and non-business photo's are more acceptable on sites other than LinkedIn.

Just my thoughts. Thanks for adding some additional points for people to consider.

Sean

Se

Thanks for the comments everyone. I've been busy actually making a living so just getting back. Your comments and thoughts are appreciated.

Kirk Laughlin

I will pile on with the praise - overall, good advice.

I'm going to raise a question about the true worth of Recommendations, in point #4 though. Because it's known that recommendations are "lobbied for" and provided by friends and friendly former colleagues, I question their utility. I mean, obviously the statements are going to be positive -- like a "To Whom It May Concern" letter of recommendation or statements given by the job references you include in your resume.

As a measure of one's LinkedIn savvy at "working the system," showing that you got people to write notes about you, perhaps there is some value.

And to be totally transparent: I don't have any recommendations on my LinkedIn profile because of my opinion in this area. I haven't asked anyone to do it, although I'm sure they would all be stellar (right?)

Matt Marsden

Hi Sean,
Thank you for sharing some beneficial tips for self branding in the new year. I'm sure with some managable effort these points could achieve ones longer term objectives leveraging LinkedIn.

All the best toward health and prosperity in 2010!

David Kirkland

Thanks Sean for another wonderful post the topic of LinkedIn and social media tips. You always bring fantastic content to your posts and community blogs.
"The 7 Worst LinkedIn Mistakes and their fixes" is an perfect example of your work. You have bestowed direct and simple answers to fix problems that I am sure I might have. Thanks for an easy and informative read.

Thanks David Kirkland
www.davidkirkland.ca

Karin Gryder

This was very valuable information. Greatly appreciated. Thanks! Karin

Thelma Walker

What stood out for me--ignoring apps, relevant groups and overlooking answers--seems to be rather time consuming to maintain and participate. But, the pay off in the end could be worth it. I think we should pick our groups wisely and set a manageable limit. Don't be compelled to answer...make sure whatever you contribute is going to further rather than stagnate the discussion.

Peter

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I found it very informative and was able to identify areas that can be improved. I am afraid that I broke your first rule with what some might consider a "goofy" or "playful" photo. I hesitated to post it on a professional networking site as I felt it may be out of place. After a little consideration, I decided to go ahead with it because 1.) I felt it was "real". Not a staged head shot, but something that gave a viewer an idea of who I am. 2.) I feel that it is not out of place for what I do for a living. After all, if you can't have fun making cookies for a living then you have more to worry about than profile pictures :)

With that said, I will give strong consideration to changing it. Thanks again for the great article.

Marc

Very informative details here Sean. I enjoyed the tips on having a strong photo and adding applications to our LI page. I will use these tips for my work in promoting our webinar events.

Thank you.
Marc
www.mathworks.com/webinars

Tim Rose

Nice, focused article. Thanks, it helps set goals for the New Year.

Mark Crosby

This article was perfect. I have been on LinkedIn for a while but haven't vetured into the groups & ther areas until just recently. There is a lot to be found here. Loved the different ideas you pointed out and will be implementing these in my profile as well as for some new clients I have picked up recently. Thanks! It gives me a great start to the new year!

Angela Burman

Hi Sean

Thanks for the advice. You have really made me feel more focussed. Regards

Gary James

I agree with all this points, but frankly, what has become so prevalent now is this need for a "glamor shot." Americans are so celebrity-obsessed, yes, your picture should look good, but frankly, I find some of these set-up "celeb" shots often amusing. Just look at some of those seminar conference sites... where the backroom, tech geek guy now has a glamor photo. Everyone isn't 20-something. Everyone isn't a celebrity. I know we all want to think we are, but we aren't. My feeling is if someone puts their dog up or logo, they're saying, "hey, I really do know what I'm talking about" and I'm not trying to just sell my looks...but, unfortunately, as this article points out clearly, that is exactly how you are judged first.

zeina

great beneficial artcle thanks

Kris Schindler

I'm adding this one to my delicious account. GREAT, easy to follow, practical advice that I will share with clients who consult me on social media.

Trisha Mentzel

Sean,

You have really got me thinking on how I can improve my networking and brand on LinkedIn, much of which is easy to do with more time and thought. Thank you so much for making it all clear to rectify.

Wishing you a Happy and prosperous New Year

Trisha

Marie Cruickshank

Sean, thank you very much for all this as it is so helpful to all of us.
Best Wishes and if I can ever help you, let me know.
Have a great New Year and a very successful 2010.
Marie Cruickshank (in snowy Scotland!)

Mark Armstrong

Excellent, and very much appreciated, Sean-- thank you.

Cheers from the drawing board in snowy New Hampshuh!

Mark

Kendra Ziler

Wow, I see myself in a few of those categories. Guess I'd better spend a little time getting to know LinkedIn a bit better and get "fixed."
Thank you!

Jeff

Great article and discussion as well.

Jack Perez

Sean,
I think you've done a great job of outlining some very easy ways to improve the use of LinkedIn. Nicely done.

Jack

Cameron Toth

Great article! I tweeted it several times.

http://www.twitter.com/camerontoth

Lori Gertz

Great Article! I tweeted it! Thanks!

alfred

Hi Sean, Thank you for your comments. I guess I was taking Linkedin too seriously and need to lighten up.

regards
Alfred

Sean Nelson

Alfred,

How you use LinkedIn and the tools that provide value will depend to some degree on who you are. Are you self employed, in sales, or a w2 worker in a department? It comes back to what is it that you want LinkedIn to help you do.

I'll address each of your points.

"I have joined some groups in my field. They turn out to be either really dead or lots of head hunters. Don't see any added value to my brand."

-There are good groups and not so good groups. The value is in the conversations you can engage in, the informations shared (news articles), and being able to meet others with a common interest. If you're not getting value from groups then you're in the wrong groups. You also need to bring some value to the table as well.

"Video? Bad idea. Very few people can do it effectively. Those that can don't need Linkedin."

-I definitely disagree here. You can record a video of decent quality with a minimal investment. You can also create videos using a screen capture program. You're only limited by your creativity.

I know many people on LinkedIn who can effectively create videos. They may not need LinkedIn but they understand what it adds to their toolbox.

"How would a mid level manager in a corporation use the applications? All the examples you cited are covered by business confidentiality."

-The examples I provided were ones I have used or seen used. You need to focus more on what can be done rather than getting bogged down with what can't be done. You can use Google presentation for the video, You can use Amazon to share what books you read and recommend. You could write a blog and integrate it. There's the new Twitter application.

"Recommendations: Yes, just started myself. Gives your profile more dimensions. Downside, seen a lot of hyperbole and flowery langauge on some recommendations. You need to focus the recommendation. Sometimes very tough, see Applications above."

-There are good recommendations and not so good ones. You can control who you seek recommendations from to focus on the quality.

---I would recommend that you start by focusing on the positives and not the negatives. If you're attitude is always negative whose going to want to connect and interact.

Sean

Alfred

Hi,

I have joined some groups in my field. They turn out to be either really dead or lots of head hunters. Don't see any added value to my brand.

Video? Bad idea. Very few people can do it effectively. Those that can don't need Linkedin.

How would a mid level manager in a corporation use the applications? All the examples you cited are covered by business confidentiality.

Recommendations: Yes, just started myself. Gives your profile more dimensions. Downside, seen a lot of hyperbole and flowery langauge on some recommendations. You need to focus the recommendation. Sometimes very tough, see Applications above.

Bob Tankesley

Accurate and relevant as always, Sean. Keep up the good work!
- Bob

Sean Nelson

The final comment round up and its a short one.

Dan thanks for reading and commenting. And thanks for reading the Social Media sonar blog.

Brian thanks for the comment.

Sean

Dan Scott

Sean,

Thanks so much for the detail and especially the "fixes."

I've been reading your stuff and you always serve up filet! This post was just one example.

Thanks again.

Dan Scott

Brian Meeks

It has been already said, but I thought this was really helpful, especially the 'fixes' you included.

Sean Nelson

Time for a comment round up. I’ve been spending time responding on the newer post and just getting back to this one.

Kerry glad the tips helped. Thanks for the comments.

Jan at times its hard to know where to get started on LinkedIn. There are three key areas I think people should focus on:

Optimizing their profile
Extending their reach
Leveraging the tools.

Work on these three areas and you’re on your way.

Eefke you should be able to make it happen using your offline skills. Make it work.

Vicki you have to take that first step. It gets easier.

Andrew thanks for the comments. Now I just need to take some tips from you on growing my Twitter network.

Sarah take’em one at a time.

Dee thanks for sharing the post. Sharing value isn’t limited to what you create. Its just as good to share what your find.

Simon thanks for the comment.

Have a great night everyone. Thanks for joining the conversation.

Simon Hamer

Another effective tool for maximising Linkedin.

Dee Jansen

I thought this was an excellent article and have forwarded it to my collegues!
I am quite new at LinkedIn so to me the article was worth it's weight in gold!
Thank you
Dee

Sarah Hope

Thank you and I will be using some of these tips in my own Profile.

Andrew

Well thought out post and simply/easy to apply for most anyone and several veterans might also take heed as well. Thanks for sharing a little piece o brilliance Sean.

Andrew
http://AndrewWindham.com

Vickie Kandasamy

Thank you for all these wonderful tips. As a newcomer to all these social medias, I am usually afraid to give much information. It's true, if you want people to trust you, you have to be honest and trust others.
Vickie

Eefke

Sean, Thank you. A good trigger to check my profile and moves! Personal branding for some one like me who's involved at Brand Design matters is very important.
Regards, Eefke

Jan Kuyper Erland

Excellent article/advice, Sean! It is interesting that only 24% of LinkedIn members actively participate. Thanks for pointing out that it is obvious that everything you do or say on this site either adds or subtracts from your branding and credibility. People are looking for help, although most of the time they do not know what type of help they are seeking!

Kerry

Thanks Sean, good tips. Really helpful for a linkedin newby!
Best wishes

Sean Nelson

Another comment roundup.

Darlene I'll check out your blog once I can scroll through the list. Thanks for the comment.

Mary L. thanks.

Mary B. optimizing your profile is an ongoing task. I try to look at it at least monthly. Plus good to keep tabs on new apps.

MikeY thanks for adding to great tips. Being courteous will help build your online credibility. As a research tool LinkedIn is priceless. Great example of how you took a contact and turned it into several potential prospects. That's making LinkedIn work for you.

Will thanks. Connection strategies are the topic of the second post for this competition. You can view it at http://bit.ly/blogoff2b. I personally am ok connecting with those I do not know, but that's because doing so supports my overall strategy. Sound like your thoughts about connecting support your overall strategy. That's what's important. Take a 2nd look at the blog post...I corrected the mistake of not including my contact info. I wasn't sure to what extent we were allowed to add info other than the post. (I'm ok with others posting what I've written but just need to ensure that there is a link to my blog. Shoot me an email and we can discuss further.)

Ashwin thanks. And I agree that everyone who adds a comment furthers the conversation.

Keith your perspective is always appreciated.

That's it for now. thanks for the comments and be sure to check out the second post "Are You a LION, Turtle, HoundDog, or Alley Cat? What's Your LinkedIn Strategy?" located at http://bit.ly/blogoff2b.

Sean

Keith Warrick

Sean,

As always, you are the master at keeping it plain,simple and understandable from the novice at LinkedIn to those of us that have been reading your blog for several months now and books and incorporate much of what you have written into their LinkedIn approach and strategy.

Thanks for all that you do and keep up the great work!

Keith Warrick

Ashwin

HI Sean,

Thanks for the information you shared...its good one. I will start fixing the things you have mentioned here.

Thanks to all who have given comments as it add values to Sean as well as to the information he added.

Will Kintish

Sean
Another BIG mistake? Accepting invitations from people you have never met. I send this to people I don't know.
----------------------------------------
Thank you for your kind invitation to your network. Online or offline, networking is simply building relationships -the 3 key steps being 1. Know 2. Like 3. Trust. From your invitation it seems we haven't yet met but if I have this wrong please tell me.
If we haven't met I am afraid I am unable to accept your invitation and this is a protocol I follow without exception.

When you become part of my network I want to be able to help, recommend and introduce all my level 1 contacts to anyone when asked. I know you will appreciate this would be difficult if we haven't actually met. I do hope you will understand my thinking here. You may think I am silly but this is an inflexible principle I have decided to adopt when using LinkedIn.

Kintish Business Networking Skills Group

Why not consider joining this group as we plan to send you lots of free information including big discounts on training courses and products.
We plan to be running free web seminars and teleclasses on Linkedin and 'ordinary' networking so keep a look out for details.

www.linkedintraining.co.uk
Please check out our exciting site.
I am collecting LinkedIn success tales for this website to encourage others to join. Please do tell me when you have some and I will link your profile and website to the story on this new site.
Wishing you every success

Best Wishes
Will Kintish
---------------------------------
Sean
i would like to post your tips to my site and my group members but give you credit. Please can I have your full name and LinkedIn public profile URL so I can link each.tip

MikeY

I think I'll mention two mistakes omitted (unless I missed them in all the preceding comments - and then I do apologize).

#1 Not sending thank you messages (i.e. for accepting a contact request). After all, where is the civility at in this day and age? As well as good common networking sense...

#2. Not using LinkedIn as a research tool.

I.E. I had a casual meeting with someone after a presentation last week. We traded a few sentences, immediately "hit it off," and exchanged cards. I followed up with an email to which he responded, asking that we get together for coffee and discuss how we might be of mutual assistance.

Being the SEO freak (http://www.diywebjem.com) I am, I checked out his sites (on his card) ahead of the email and saw a potential client. After I received the reply I decided to check further and look at his LinkedIn profile.

I found we shared a first level contact. And, I had done consulting work for the mutual contact who wrote me, yes, a glowing LinkedIn recommendation! Wow, great coincidence! I also found additional previous businesses not mentioned on his card, and checked them out also since he was still involved in them.

I am now well prepared for our casual business meeting....knowing his professional and business background, as well as some shared interests and hobbies.

Mary Beall Adler

Hi, Sean;

Thank you. Great post which reminds me to look closely at the applications and clean up several things. This will make the LinkedIn experience even more useful.

Best,

Mary Beall Adler

Mary Lascelles

Great overview, Sean. Very helpful!!

Darlene Sabella

Okay now I finally found the bottom of this endless stream of comments LOL
Great article Sean, the knowledge I needed to hear and learn, I have made all the mistakes. thanks for sharing and when you find time please make a comment on my posts.

Sean Nelson

Well this should be the last comments round up for the day. Drumroll...

Karin thanks for the long comment. I have not used the BlogLink app...use the wordpress one. I’ve maxed out my allowable number of apps so I may have to remove one to play with BlogLink. As far as addresses you do need to be careful if you work out of the home. for phone numbers if its on your business card I would think its fine to be on your profile.

Lars thanks for the comments. I hope that all posts eventually lead to business but I provide the information to help others first. I figure if people like the content on my blog they’ll call me if they ever have a need for my services.

Kristie take it and run with it.

Jay good luck with optimizing your profile. It should be an ongoing process. I review my profile quarterly and will be looking do update my Summary towards the end of this month.

Stephen great tip. As you add connections its important to export your contact list from LinkedIn. That way if something happens to your profile you can quickly restablish your connections. Now I’m going in to export mine.

Anthony great advice. When you ask a question you should be courteous enough to thank those who provided value and to rate either one answer the best or several as good answers. I should have included that in the post.

Reme thanks for the comment. And thanks for passing on the post.

Thanks Jim.

Chris thanks for the input. In the next post I’m going to talk about connection strategies which will explain the four that I’ve identified. My personal thought is that I’m OK connecting to those I don’t know. If someone feels I’m worth connecting to then I’m happy to oblige. More about this in the next post.

Amy, you’re welcome.

Viveka I love retweets. Thanks.

That’s it for today. What a great day for comments. Keep posting your thoughts and opinions. My posts are simply commentaries. The post only becomes a conversation if people add their thoughts and opinions.

Sean

Viveka von Rosen

Great post Sean - I'll make sure to tweet it for you. Very comprehensive and extremely useful :)

Amy Vercruysse

Great article with some very insightful and helpful ideas that every LinkedIn member can take advantage of. Thanks for taking the time to share.

Chris Kastein

Great summary Sean! Totally agree with everything you've written...now I have to go update my profile!

One mistake (in my humble opinion) you didn't mention...only connect to people you really know. Perhaps this is obvious to most users, but I've always been under the impression that linkedin is designed to allow people to connect with others in their connection's networks - people they know and trust, and presumably would therefore have no problem putting in touch with one another.

Every once in a while I get requests from people I don't know - usually headhunters - to connect with them. I don't, unless I've dealt directly with them before and know and trust that they are ethical in their business practices.

Agree or disgree?

Regards,

Chris Kastein

JIM BURCHAM

HI SEAN, THANKS THIS IS VERY HELPFUL. I WILL USE THE INFO TO IMPROVE MY SITE.

Sean Nelson

Here we go with another comment round up. Hopefully responding like this leaves more of the comments focussed on your thoughts and feedback.

Evelyn and Lori it is a lot of work but not too tough if you take tackle it one tiny step at a time.

Steve thanks for reading since May. I must be saying something good.

Pam glad that you are seeing the light with answers and applications. Both help you build your credibility which is important.

Erik I agree on the selling point. I’m seeing more of this and actually wrote two blogs detailing “A Case of Spam” where someone sent a sales message to me using a fake account. Anyoen looking to listen to a great online radio show Google “The ZeroG Gravity” radio show.

Anita thanks for making this point that I omitted in the post. Seek out recommendations from people you actually kno and that you have provided exceptional service or help. Not a fan of reciprocal recommendations either.

Steve thanks for the comments. Put Answers and applications to work for you.

Carrie thanks for the ongoing blog visits.

Marleen thanks for sharing the love and the link with your networking groups.

Karley thanks for attending the WIN meeting and listening to my spiel. Glad it was an hour that you found value in.

Robin thanks for the long comment. Comments whether they agree or disagree further the conversation. I agree that connections are not about the numbers. My next post will actually address the four connection strategies I have defined. For me every new connection is an opportunity to provide value to, so I want as many as possible. I don’t send out many connection requests but do accept when someone sends me a request. The specific number of connections is irrelevant but I do believe for my strategy more is better. Hopefully the next post will do a better job of explaining why.

Thanks everyone for the comments and look for the next post this weekend.

Sean

Reme Pullicar

Sean, Thank you for a very "on point" summary of how to use linked_in. I'll have to confess being behind on using the applications feature, so I'll have to catch that area up. I'll have to forward a link to your blog to some of my associates. Thank you for the insights.

Best regards,
Reme Pullicar, President
Creative Juices - Inventors' Society
http://www.linkedin.com/in/remepullicar

Anthony Kirlew

Related to LinkedIn Answers would be failing to rate answers and close the question so that the ratings are counted. It is a common courtesy to show those who invest their time giving free and valued advice.

Stephen Phillips

Sean,

Thanks! One suggestion that I would add is to not go too far do a data-dump - try to include everything that you have done in your career.

Jay Finnigan

Great stuff! I plan on revising my profile as a result of this good, sound and easy to understand advice!

Nice job!

Jay Finnigan

Kristie Gibson

Great post, Sean! Terrific and useful content that can be implemented right away! I look forward to reading more!

Lars

I found the information to be very helpful and quite specific really. Often these kinds of things are just a lead generator, but this has real info that real people can use. I appreciated the free advice, and was guilty of at least one of the 7 mistakes. Thanks Sean

Karin Wills

LinkedIn now has an application that will pull your blog to your profile page, plus the blogs of others in your network. I tried it yesterday, I have 3 blogs and it picked up two of them (they are all on Blogger) but not the third. I haven't yet figured out why it missed one. Unfortunately, I wanted two of my blogs on LinkedIn but it linked the one I didn't want on and missed the one I did. (2 blogs are based on 'what I do' and 1 is just for fun-mostly travel pics and thoughts). So, I have to figure out how to get the app to work the way I want it to, but this app means that you don't have to use Word Press to have your blog up.
I am in the process of getting a photo that makes sense for my profile and in the meantime I opted not to add one.
I would not advise adding phone numbers or addresses if you (like me) work from a home office. People can email you if they want to contact you. Phone numbers and addresses make you vulnerable to people you don't want to have that information.

Robin

One thing you may want to note is that its not about accumulating the most contacts, its about pulling together ones that matter. If I see someone who has 100 direct contacts who is not in sales or events or something similar, I'm skeptical they really know those folks. I laugh when people post on a message board that they want to boost their connections so please connect with them. A key value of LinkedIn is to see where a contact can truly help you out by introducing you to someone you don't know. If you don't really know someone, or don't have an intention to get to know them better, don't connect.

The other advice you give is all great. This doesn't replace a resume, but it sure should give a complete picture of what you've done since its a place all recruiters and HR people look in determining who to bring in for an interview. Also, don't just ask for recommendations, give them as well. Pay it forward.

Karley

Sean,

I saw you talk about the WIN luncheon yesterday and really got some good information. I am meeting with members from my BNI group and will pass on the information.

Marleen G

Hope you win Sean. This is great information. I just shared it with some of my networking groups.

Marleen G

Carrie Tegeder

Sean,

Thank you so much for this valuable information! I always look forward to your posts!

Sincerely,
Carrie Tegeder

Reverle Harris

Hi Sean,

I'm happy to have found your post which offers such great tips and explanations on how to use LinkedIn in a better way. You have given me a lot more understanding about this platform. I found your insight on how to use LinkedIn Answers very interesting and I will definitely use your tips for Applications. Thanks for being so thorough and I look forward to keeping up with your other topics or subject matter!

Anita Hampl

On point 4 re: Not Securing Recommendations: please do not ask someone for a recommendation just because you've had coffee with them once, joined the same networking group or they seem smart.

A weak, hollow recommendation screams desperation to a reader. The effect increases if more than one person has a similarly empty recommendation. (Bonus points if they are all created on the same day!!)

Erik Wolf

Sean, this is more than a blog post, it's practically a seminar :) Really nicely done and thank you for stressing the point about selling on LinkedIn... I've gotten a lot more spam via LinkedIn than I'm used to from people who are not really interested in building a relationship, just looking for a quick sale or to have me participate in some kooky MLM marketing scheme. By now, I'd hoped that people would learn. Great post!

Pam Leinmiller

And the applications look like they can really add something extra to my profile, so I'm looking forward to using some of those as well.
Pam
www.pamleinmiller.com

Pam Leinmiller

I never knew about the LinkedIn Answers and will start taking a look at this area. Maybe there are some I can contribute to and some that I also want the answer to! Thanks for the tips.
To your health!

Steve Windsor

Hi Sean,

Another superb transmission, your blog has been required reading since I first found you back in May and it is the same now every time it appears, it is easily the best LinkedIn blog on the web. No jargon, no unnecessary frills just plain well researched facts and high quality practical solutions, and these ‘7 Worst Mistakes’ is just another example of the same.

Great work, great quality and thanks for the help you have been to me

Steve Windsor

Lori Harris

Wow! Thanks for showing us the depth at LinkedIn. I've got a lot of work to do.

Lori Harris
http://HowToMonetizeYou.com

Evelyn Jackson

Hi Sean,

Great info. I've got work to do!

Thanks for sharing!

Evelyn Jackson

Sean Nelson

Another comment round up. Thanks for taking the time to add a comment.

Sam you are the one and only SAM. I've accepted it.

Orietta, GD, Sarahbeth, and D'Lesa thanks.

Donna glad to see that groups are starting to work for you.

Chad we pretty much are aligned in our thinking.

Keith the hard sell is a path to killing your brand in social media. People need to take advantage of the indirect communication tools available. Provide enough value and people will gravitate to you. As far as answers, answer the question and provide value. Then add a link to your blog or site so those that want to know more can go to your profile or link.

Once again thanks.

Sean

Keith Dukes

In speaking for myself, the biggest mistake anyone can make is the skewed "hard sell" on a posting, reach out message, or answer. I know I immediately discount anyone who automatically touts their product or service as the end-all solution to every question that they respond to.

If you participate to provide an answer, then don't also try to "hijack" the thread to tout your service/product.

D'Lesa Medlin

Sean,

Thank you for reminding my how important it is to stay on top of LinkedIn. It is a valuable tool and with your insightful advise my profile will continue to grow.

Great job!

Chad Rothschild

Sean,

Great advice. I truly believe LinkedIn profiles are huge. Everyone looks at them to check you out.

Getting recommendations is huge and shows Social Proof.

Applications are critical to take your profile from 2D to 3D and looked at your profile and you obviously do what you preach.

Groups could be the most important way to exert influence on LinkedIn.

Well put. Thanks for sharing.

Chad

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