How and Why You Should Use LinkedIn Events

LinkedIn has a great free tool that allows any LinkedIn user to create and promote personal or business events to your networks. If you haven't used this yet and you or your company holds events such as these,

• Webinars
• Open Houses
• Networking Events
• Customer Appreciation Day
• Education Workshops
• Business Training

you need to start using this immediately.

It's simple to use - FREE - plus gives you the ability to amplify your event by promoting it through social media.

After you're logged into your LinkedIn account, click the "MORE" dropdown then select "EVENTS"

You're now on the Event Home Page. Click on "CREATE AN EVENT"

Follow the step-by-step instructions to enter your event information.  IMPORTANT: FILL IN ALL FIELDS. I use my personal photo if the event is featuring a speaker or presenter. Or use your company logo if it's a company event (Your marketing person will thank you).

Add in additional details describing your event. In this example, I'm creating an event page that I'll use to promote this blog. Select an Industry if it applies to the event. Otherwise, skip that field. IMPORTANT: use the "labels" field like you would meta data, and include keywords and phrases to describe your event and the content. Also include a website where people can learn more about the event, the organization/company, or you. In this example, I'm using my blog address. Use every field. It's free promotion for your event, your company, or you. 

This step is NOT optional, in my opinion. Share your event message with your networks!

I'll tweet it and add in hashtags to describe the event. In this example, my hashtags are #LinkedIn, #EventPromotion, and #EventPlanning. This will help my event to get picked up by fellow Twitter users searching for my keywords.

I also will post on my Facebook page for my friends to read. In this message, I'm giving a shout out to Dana who asked me how to post events on LinkedIn, who was the inspiration for this blog.

That's it! In a few days, Google will have picked up your event and people searching Google will be able to find your event too.

So in just a few minutes, you've created an event that can be promoted FREE across your networks on
LinkedIn (let's connect - www.linkedin.com/In/BrendaMeller
Facebook
Twitter (follow me www.twitter.com/BrendaMeller)
plus, it's publicly searchable on Google.

Happy Event Planning!

Six Powerful Anti-LinkedIn Tips

"For the Anti-LinkedIn LinkedIn User."
Brenda Meller

Quite often I'm asked for tips on stuff that people want to avoid on LinkedIn, or how to disable a feature or prevent certain people or information from being viewed. Here are six helpful Anti-LinkedIn Tips (i.e., techniques that can limit or prevent activity). 

Follow the links to the step-by-step instructions courtesy of LinkedIn. :)

1. Prevent Your First Level Connections from Viewing your Other First Level Connections
http://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/52
Maybe you're a CEO or HR manager who wishes to use LinkedIn as a virtual Rolodex, but you don't want salespeople to harvest those golden connections. Sorry, it's an all-or-nothing feature (you can't selectively hide connections, says LinkedIn). 

2. Block People From Viewing Your LinkedIn Profile
http://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2839
Maybe you don't want your boss to see your stepped up LinkedIn activity. Or you've got an internet stalker (egad!). Follow these instructions to make your profile more private. Unfortunately you can't block individual users from viewing your profile. 

3. Stop Those Annoying Group Email Notifications
http://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/67
If you're like me, you've joined multiple groups and you're inundated with emails. Follow this link to tell LinkedIn how frequently to send you group emails or prevent them entirely.

4. Delete a Duplicate Account (and merge your contacts)
http://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/46
I was surprised to find this listed in LinkedIn help. In the past, you had to figure this out on your own. 

5. Disconnect From Connections
http://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/49
Maybe your LinkedIn efforts have helped you snag that dream job, and you no longer wish to be connected to your old boss. Go ahead and disconnect. They won't receive any notification.

6. Close Your LinkedIn Account
http://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/63
If you're finding no value in LinkedIn, yes you can shut down your account. I'd highly recommend you export your LinkedIn connections and printing copy of your LinkedIn profile first. You can thank me later. 

Exporting Your Connections List (with caution)

After you've been on LinkedIn for a while, you start to wonder about some of the information that's on your profile and whether you can export it, especially your connections list.


I know that once you hit the 500+ number, it's kind of a big achievement on LinkedIn. No longer does your profile show your total, but instead you're in the "500+" club. 


If you're considering exporting your connections list for email purposes - use caution. LinkedIn is powerful because it allows you the ability to cross-reference connections, and also because you're only a login away from reaching any connection. However, you want to be careful not to use a mass email approach with your connections, since people will connect to you based on a perceived mutual benefit of being connected. Once you send a mass email, you risk jeopardizing the relationship you have with your connections. 


However, the export connections feature can be used to help you sort and target your connections. 


Here's an example:


I frequently offer LinkedIn webinars through Walsh College. These webinars are free and exclusive to students, alumni, and employers who hire Walsh students and alumni. 


Occasionally, we have seats remaining in the webinar, and I offer those seats out to my LinkedIn network. I've also built up many connections in the job seeker community, including contacts at Michigan Works offices.


If I want to share the LinkedIn webinar info with these individuals, I could spend 10-15 minutes scrolling through advanced people search and typing in "Michigan Works." 


Or, I can export my connections list and sort by company, and hand pick those individuals who show Michigan Works as their employer. Then, I can send them a personalized email from my Walsh email box instead of through LinkedIn. 


To export your connections list:


1. Mouse over "Contacts" in your top menu bar, then select "Connections"

How to Export Your LinkedIn Connections

2. Scroll down to the bottom of your connections list page. Click the link that reads "Export Connections."
























3. Export as a CSV format. Save onto your desktop, then open the file in Excel and Save As an Excel workbook. From here, you can scan and search your connections list. This file will contain your first level connections information, including: first and last name, company, job title, and e-mail address. 


CAUTION: use this option sparingly if you're trying to contact people outside of LinkedIn. People do NOT like mass email. From my perspective, it's a lazy approach to using your technology and it doesn't create favorable impressions. And if you do use a mass email approach, you run the risk of losing connections. 


That said, the "export connections" feature can be a powerful tool to help supplement your LinkedIn efforts. 


Comments? Suggestions? Have you used this feature? 

Do I Know You? What To Do With Invites From Unfamiliar Names

The longer you're on LinkedIn and the more active you become, you'll notice you receive more and more invitations to connect to people you don't know. 


SIDEBAR:
If you're like me, you're personalizing your invitations to help others in your network understand why you wish to connect. If you're not doing this yet, please read this for instructions http://15minutesadayonlinkedin.blogspot.com/2011/02/personalize-your-invites-for-more.html


What do you do when you receive LinkedIn invitations to connect to people you don't know? Most people ignore the invitations. Or perhaps mouse over the name and review the person's profile to see if there is anything common or interesting. And then they either accept or ignore the invite depending on those results. 


Here's a technique to help you do two things:
1. Solve the problem of an ever-increasing list of invitations
2. Weed out the people you want to connect, and archive those you don't wish to accept.


Plus, using this technique, you'll create dialog with these individuals, thereby helping to further the effectiveness of your network. 


First, log into LinkedIn.  Then, follow these simple instructions:

1. Mouse over your "Inbox"
2. Then, click on "Invitations"

3. Just below the person's name whose invitation you've received, you'll see an "Accept" box with a dropdown arrow. Click that arrow, and 4. you'll see the option to "Reply (don't accept yet)."

5. Type in three words: "Have We Met?"
If you feel the need to be cordial, you can add a salutation, "Hi Russell," as shown here.
6. Then, click "Send message" and wait for their response.

At this point, I'll give the person a few days to respond. 


If I don't hear back within a week, I can probably correctly assume they don't use LinkedIn that often. This is not the type of contact that will help me nor my network, so then I'll go back in and "Archive" the invitation to clear it out of my invitation list. 


If they do reply back, their response can help you decide what to do next. Typically, I receive one of these responses (and my next steps in parentheses):


1. "Hi Brenda, no we haven't met, but your profile looked interesting and I thought we might be able to connect." (yes, I will accept this - since the person is explaining WHY they wish to connect. Plus, that's flattering!)


2. "Maybe. I go to a lot of events in Troy." (I might connect, after I look over their profile to see if I see anything of interest to me. If not, I'll archive it, since this is a lazy response and they aren't giving me any real reason to want to connect. I've given them an ample opportunity to explain themselves, which is more than many will do.)


3. "No, but your name came up in the LinkedIn search on my page. My apologies if I've done this incorrectly. I'm still learning how to use LinkedIn." (yes, I typically will accept this, since this is a genuine response and I like to help people to learn how to use LinkedIn)


4. "No we haven't met, but you know Joe Smith and Bobbi Jones and they both suggested I connect to you." (yes, I will accept since we share mutual connections whom I remember)


5. "Not yet, but I'd love to buy you a coffee and talk about my company's print solutions. We have a high capacity printer and we're based in Detroit." (no, since I don't want to be sold to. I want to connect for mutually beneficial reasons. I can find salespeople through my network if/when I need it.)


Regardless of their reason for requesting an invitation, please select the "Archive" option instead of "Report Spam" whenever possible. This helps to prevent other LinkedIn users from having their accounts locked up!

Creating and Managing Your Company Page

"Is your company on LinkedIn? It should be, "
says Brenda Meller of Walsh College.

LinkedIn is the #1 site for professional networking. If you're like me, you're always on the lookout for new tips and techniques to make LinkedIn even more effective for your professional goals.

Is your company on LinkedIn? If you're not sure, go check now. On LinkedIn, change the drop-down at the upper right to "Companies" and type in your company name. Hopefully it will come up in the search. If it does, that means your company is on LinkedIn. Tell your marketing department they are doing a great job.

If it's not on LinkedIn yet and you're a company representative who has the authority to do so, create a company page. There is no charge to do so, and it helps to give your company (and you) increased visibility on LinkedIn.

Simply follow the step-by-step instructions and fill in the boxes to share publicly available information about your company, such as your industry, number of employees, website address, and company description.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can also add in products and services.
Feeling confident? Then go ahead and request recommendations from your customers.

Stumped on what do add? Look at your competitors and see what they've posted. After all, it's what your customers might be doing. Or if you're in HR and use LinkedIn for recruiting, it's what your potential candidates are doing.

I've been modifying the company page for Walsh College and adding in a few new pieces of information each day using this simple process. Check it out at http://www.linkedin.com/company/walsh-college.

Are You On LinkedIn? Ask This and Grow Your Network

A really simple technique I use in my daily activities is to get into the habit of asking people that I meet, "Are You On LinkedIn?"


By asking this, you will typically get one of three responses. 

1. Yes. 
2. Not yet, but I've been meaning to get around to it. 
3. No. What's LinkedIn?

If they respond "yes," that's your opportunity to exchange business cards and mention that you'll send them an invitation to connect. 

If they respond "no," tell them it's a great way to stay connected and to build their professional network, as you never know where the future may lead. 

If they respond "No. What's LinkedIn?" and they are over the age of 18, walk away slowly. Chances are they have been living under a rock and you're just going to confuse them. Just kidding. (well, maybe I'm a tiny bit serious)

See this? Ask: "Are You On LinkedIn?"

My visual reminder of this question "Are You On LinkedIn?" is when I offer or receive a business card. That's my prompt to ask the question, and to demonstrate how I value a connection to this person, and how I plan to do something with their business card. 

When I send the invitation, I always make a point to personalize my invitation (read more here about why it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to personalize your invitation). Then, I will also review their profile to view their professional summary and see if there is anything interesting to note.

This tip alone will help you to continue to grow your network over time. Like this suggestion? Send me an invitation to connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/brendameller 

Requesting an Introduction

One of the most powerful features of being on LinkedIn is the ability to request introductions to connections of your connections. That is, you want to connect to someone on LinkedIn who is a 2nd or 3rd level connection.

When would this occur?

• When you are applying for a new job. It might increase the likelihood for your resume to be read if you have a warm introduction via a connection at the company.

• If you are seeking advice or insight on a company or an industry where you don't have much experience. If you don't have knowledge, find someone who does, through someone you know.

• You may be considering changing professions or industries, and seeking to meet for an "informational interview." During these interviews, you are looking to pick their brain about entry requirements, candid comments about their profession/company/industry, and hopefully to gain insights to help you affirm your consideration of this potential move.

Basically, you are seeking a warm introduction. As with many other features of LinkedIn, there is a process and there is also the unspoken etiquette which may help your chances of connecting. Hopefully this post helps you with both. 

Here's how to request an introduction to connect to a 2nd or 3rd level LinkedIn connection:

1. Click on the person's name who you wish to connect with. This will bring up their LinkedIn profile page.

2. Check to see if this person is in your LinkedIn network. If so, you will see a small blue "2nd" or "3rd" next to their name. Note: if you see "1st," you are already connected. 
3. Click on "Get introduced through a connection," which is located on the right side of your screen. See image below. 
4. Select a name that appears in the list.
   
   I recommend choosing the person you know the best from this list. If the person you are looking to connect to is a 2nd level connection, your note will go through one connection. If it's a 3rd level connection, your note will go through your direct connection, and then that person will have to send it through one of their connections to help you connect.
5. Follow the steps to compose your request to connect. Select the appropriate option from the drop-down menu and provide your contact information. Then, type a short, professional, gracious note explaining why you wish to connect.
6. Keeping in mind that your note may be forwarded along to the person you wish to connect with, compose your request to your connection. Be specific. Explain why you wish to connect and be honest. Provide a bit of detail and if necessary, remind your connection how you know each other. Then, make sure you politely request an introduction. This involves a sentence with a question mark, not one with a period. (ex: "Can you please connect me with Kari Kovar?" versus "Connect me with Kari.") Remember that your note may be forwarded along, so be sure to be professional and gracious.
7. Proofread your messages, then click send. Did I mention to keep in mind that your message to your connection may be forwarded along? Yes, it's worth mentioning this again. You'd be surprised how often people assume this message is deleted, and therefore they aren't as professional or gracious in their request.

That's it! Hopefully within a few days your request will be reviewed and approved, and you'll be directly connected to the individual you are seeking.