Yesterday, I attended an interesting LinkedIn Seminar hosted by ASTD Southwest Florida Chapter. Already being a social media junkie, I was a bit skeptical going into the seminar – what was I going to learn? I felt that I already utilized everything LinkedIn has to offer, but I tried my best to keep an open mind, and guess what? IT WORKED! (Insert life-tip here: always, and I mean always, try to keep an open mind in all aspects of life – it will in turn allow you to grow and better yourself as an individual!) Anyways – back to my seminar, overall, the seminar was very interesting and my colleague and I both learned some very interesting new tips and tricks during the seminar. Here are a few things that I wanted to share with you all…
First about ASTD – The American Society of Trading and Development- you can be a National or Local member- or both! This is a group serving the needs of training and education specialists around the area, and they are always holding networking events and seminars such as the one we attended yesterday. For more information their Southwest Florida Chapter website is : www.astdswfl.org
- Our seminar was held by Michelle Hudson who works with Reliabilityweb.com – she was very informational and she is also a member of the Social Media Club of Southwest Florida.
- One of the main things Michelle covered was how to use and be aware of which platform you are using to ensure that you are sending out the right content to your customers, employees, colleagues, and connections. With so many different channels and forms of social media there is out there today, this is an important lesson to know how and when the person or audience that you are trying to reach would like to be reached.
- For example: Facebook is best used for friends, and you need to ensure to keep your target audience in mind. As a business, you need to make sure to ‘like’ things that relate to you or your customers, so that you can draw them in and keep them interested. It is also important to keep your Facebook page informative. A shocking number of business’ did not have their contact information and details about the products they offer on their site. Facebook is also a great place to ask your customers for suggestions – what do they want to see? What can we do better to please them?
- Fun fact: Average age of Facebook users is……44!
- For example: Facebook is best used for friends, and you need to ensure to keep your target audience in mind. As a business, you need to make sure to ‘like’ things that relate to you or your customers, so that you can draw them in and keep them interested. It is also important to keep your Facebook page informative. A shocking number of business’ did not have their contact information and details about the products they offer on their site. Facebook is also a great place to ask your customers for suggestions – what do they want to see? What can we do better to please them?
- Twitter is best for short blasts, getting information out about events, specials, etc.
- LinkedIn is like your online, detailed resume – when utilized can benefit you in ways you haven’t even imagined!
- ALL Platforms: Businesses should ALWAYS advertise their other platforms on each platform they have (links to company website, Facebook, LinkedIn on Twitter page) PROMOTE & CROSSPROMTE – it is key.
- Side note: When I am saying business, it is interchangeable with individual as well. As sales people, you almost are a brand in yourself, you need to market your services.
- LinkedIn Highpoints
- Profile Basics: the more you have filled out, the better!
- Background, summary, experience, education, interests.
- All of these areas are very important – they give other people that you are networking or connecting with information to better connect with you, maybe you are from the same area, both interested in golf, fans of the same school, etc. Also – your background is VERY important, maybe an old connection from your past job seeks you out on LinkedIn, if you do not have information about your past experiences, how will they know it is the same Alysia they worked with 10 years ago at ____ business?
- Projects, Skills & Expertise, Honors & Awards, Organizations.
- Again- give your potential customers or connections evidence that you do possess skills, and they do want to work with the best – YOU 🙂 . Give them links or examples or projects you have completed or are working on, tell them your areas of expertise.
- People can also endorse you skills & expertise – this gives you credibility & make your profile 4X more likely to be viewed = more exposure, the better!
- Again- give your potential customers or connections evidence that you do possess skills, and they do want to work with the best – YOU 🙂 . Give them links or examples or projects you have completed or are working on, tell them your areas of expertise.
- Background, summary, experience, education, interests.
- Over all profile: Think to yourself, what to do you want to be known for? Whether it is innovation, marketing, creativity, etc. you need to make this trait/ word visible in your profile – did you participate in a project that was innovative? Tell your audience. When potential clients are searching for ‘friendly’ hotel sales people for example, they can search, and you will pop up! Make sure to stick to one or two key words, and do not overdo it as well.
- Utilizing LinkedIn in all areas
- When you do business with someone, or are working with a potential client – request to connect with them on LinkedIn, it shows that you care and they feel special, therefore their entire attitude towards you is better and they enjoy working with you even more – and you automatically remain in contact. Another benefit of doing this is you can see what types of things they are working on – maybe a new project, will they need training? Your services?
- Attach a link to your LinkedIn profile, Facebook, Twitter, etc. in your email signature – automatically gain more visibility from all of your clients and colleagues.
- For all of you savvy iPhone users,( ok – I believe Android as it as well 😉 ) NEW APP: CardMunch
- Scan any business card you receive, and the app will automatically request to connect with that individual on LinkedIn and you can let them know that you are doing it if you would like.
- HootSuite & TweetDeck
- Websites that allow you to run analytics from the same spot on all different platforms that you use, it also allows you to post updates to all platforms at the same time.
- Profile Basics: the more you have filled out, the better!
I ended up loving every minute of the seminar (including my yummy fruit platter from Jason’s Deli 🙂 ) considering I am a junkie for all things social media. 🙂 Hope you enjoy, sorry for the lengthy synopsis, there was just so much good information, and I may have thrown in a few extra things myself!
P.S. Another not-so-fun fact: about 56% of all customers emails go ignored! Help prevent this by utilizing all of your social media platforms, more customers/clients = more business! 🙂
Alysia Pope 