Your personal brand is your most valuable asset. Generating success on LinkedIn has everything to do with enhancing your personal brand. In fact, Gary Vaynerchuck talks about the importance of building your “Me 2.0” equity within the social media landscape during this motivational video below:
If that video doesn’t charge you up and teach you the importance of doing what you love and are passionate about, I don’t know what will. Without an identity on LinkedIn, your personal brand will suffer tremendously, so please consider this as I lay out my 13 ways to generate success on LinkedIn:
1) Take Control Of Your Personal Brand:
This is the most important aspect for me, and why I included the video with Gary. The best way to take control of your personal brand on LinkedIn is to fill out your entire profile and write concise, compelling, value driven content. If you type in your name on Google, and you don’t have an active blog or produce other content on the web, I bet your LinkedIn profile is one of the top five pages that show up. Control what others view about you by completing your profile, and add to it amazing value.
2) Connect With Your Niche:
There are thousands of groups on LinkedIn; connect with the ones that fit your interests or industry. The more you reach out to those who are targeted in your area, the more powerful you become to that niche.
3) Add Everyone You Know (and don’t know):
I know there are some of you who like to click the dreaded “I don’t know this person” button if you have never seen an invitations name before, but you are only doing a disservice to yourself. If you think about it, the more people you connect with, this expands your searching capabilities, even more importantly, expanding your reach for others to FIND YOU! Don’t limit yourself, expand your reach and let some of the major players find your profile.
4) Ask Compelling Questions:
That’s right. Actually get on LinkedIn and ask a few questions every now and then… is that so hard? I asked two questions that took me five minutes of my time and received over 50 helpful answers in return. Just make sure you ask the right questions and you tag it in the right places.
5) Become An Expert:
You don’t become an expert by sitting on your rear all day, you become one by answering questions attached with insane amounts of value. The more value you give away, the more people will begin to reach out to you as a consultant, hire you for a full time position, or contact you for future opportunities.
6) Host Your Own Event:
You would not believe the energy and enthusiasm created by attending a live LinkedIn networking event. The benefits are many, and the time you work on it is well spent. Just check out my images from my most recent event below, watch my video about how I utilize LinkedIn groups, or learn about the benefits of hosting your own LinkedIn event in this post.
7) Say Thank You:
In the real world, people love it when you say “Thank you”. It really solves a lot of problems and encourages positivity. Be sure to say those two important words every time someone does anything for you… makes a recommendation, comments on your status, makes an introduction, or answers your questions. This will continue the good karma cycle, and more success will flow your way.
8) Become Transparent:
It seems as though the only way to be successful online these days is to become completely transparent and put yourself out there. The more you try to hide something, act like something you are not, or stay too generic, others will see right though this and will never think twice about you. Seth Godin says that being remarkable is nothing more than having others remark about you. Take this advice into account as you go along your LinkedIn ways.
9) Enjoy The Party:
If you are attending a “real world” party or networking event, I hope you are going to this party to enjoy it. Who goes to a party and acts like a stiff? Those are the ones who lose in the end that night and go home miserable, right? Don’t be a stiff, take everything with a grain of salt and have fun. Show some personality, be a character if that’s who you are, and enjoy the ride. The more you do this, the more others will want to party with you!
10) Make Recommendations:
I know Jason Alba, Chris Brogan, or Scott Allen have probably said this in blog posts before, but it holds true with me also. Making a recommendation does a few things: When you write a recommendation for someone else, they usually will return the favor which helps build your street cred. The next time anyone views a profile you recommend, then that adds a link back to your profile as well, which increase your chances of being found. You can’t beat that.
11) Add Your Links:
I was amazed when I recently saw that a friend of mine did not have a link to his website on his LinkedIn profile. He has a multi-million dollar search engine optimization and website marketing company, yet he forgot to add his company site (or any site for that matter) to his profile. He wanted me to help him generate more leads for his company from using LinkedIn, and I told him all he needed to do was add his company link and his service would speak for itself. Since then he has gained new business, go figure 🙂
12) Don’t Be A Stranger:
If you never call or e-mail people, or go out to networking events and gatherings, then how do you expect to stay connected to those you know, and build a network with those you don’t know? Follow up with all of the messages you receive in your inbox, and continue to get online and network.
13) Use LinkedIn Applications:
There are many great applications on LinkedIn. I used LinkedIn Events to promote my live networking event and I had over 350 people show up. A friend of mine added the Amazon Book application and included his personal book to his profile and his sales doubled in a month. By adding a few applications that are right for your needs, you’ll be sure to succeed.
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I left out about 100 additional ways to generate success on Linkedin for a reason… I want to hear ways that YOU generate success as well. I am a co-author of a book entitled “LinkedWorking” that shows you how to achieve any professional goal you have by using LinkedIn, and Ill be sure to add more posts leading up to its release in late January. In the meantime, I would love to hear you thoughts on how to create amazing success on LinkedIn.
All I have to say, with being a relativley new member (since August or so), I have done pretty much all of this. The one thing I have to say that has brough me success to say “Thank you” to EVERY message…you can't be that busy to not do it. Also, comment on questions that you believer you have some insight on….if people know your name and see you post…they will want to connect to you. As a member of the communications industry…be friendly, smile and a real person, not some name online.
I attended the event and was pleased to see all the hardworking folks out there. Saying “Thank You” is a powerful tool. I have even taken it a step further in sending through “snail-mail” a real card. In today's hurried world it really says something about you when you have taken the TIME to do something. I even delivered home-made Hungarian Nut Horns to the people in the media world that have so generously helped me build my company Design By DesAnn. I look forward to building my network in LinkedIn.
Great post and Thank You for the great information!
I am a newcommer to LInked in and social website marketing, but I want to know more. This article gave me some new ideas and I appreciate the recommendation to read it from my marketing guru pal Michal Ventura of Builders Marketing Group.
Lewis,
Great job in setting up the first meeting! Good to see so many talented people from across all parts of NE Ohio coming together. Talent is alive and well in the Greater Cleveland area. E-marketing and Web 2.0 are tools that every company and person need to embrace and utilize to achieve and sustain success in their business portfolio.
Hey great post. Another great strategy is joining groups of your interest and when you answer and start discussions linkin with the members.
A great way to expand your network.
Thanks DesAnn
I think it is great that you take your “thank you's” a step further by sending letters and doing creative things to show people your appreciation for something they have done. Keep it up, and I know it will pay off.
Thanks Jim,
I couldn't agree with you more on all accounts.
This is one of the things I go into in my book that comes out late next month… but thanks for including this in the comments as well!
There's a lot of advice out there on how to use Linkedin – this post felt like it was fresh, different and new. Just when you think you know it all!
Thanks and congrats on the upcoming book . . .
Thanks for the video. I am all for branding yourself and getting out there and networking. I am glad your Cleveland event was a success.
“Add Everyone You Know (and don’t know)” advice is the best way, overtime, to undermine the advantages of a trusted network. If you don't know them, don't invite them.
This is a good article. As an adjunct to this, you can check out the 3 part series I wrote in using linkedin, on my blog, http://gilbertdirectmarketing.wordpress.com/. By the way, may I post a link to this article on my blog too.
Regards,
Jim Gilbert
http://gilbertdirectmarketing.wordpress.com/
Ruth,
I appreciate your concern for wanting to keep a close trusted network… and you still can even when you add others you don't know that well. I am not saying you need to invite anyone that you don't know, rather accept those who send you invites that you don't know… because this will expand your reach and increase your chances of being found by others for more business opportunities.
Thanks Jim. Feel free to link back to this as much as you want 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to enlighten me. I am fairly new on here. I found your article to be very helpful. [email protected]
I just wanted to say “Thank You!” for the great advice!
I first joined LinkedIn a few years ago, but only checked in occasionally. Ok, only once or twice!
Now that I am taking my talents and venturing out on my own launching a wedding resource website and I need an effective way to network, I can see the tremendous value in the linked-in community!
How about dual networks? Lewis Sports and Lewis Linked? I suspect, however, that LI would frown on multiple personalities…
It was great to read your post this morning on ways in which to use linked in to promote your brand. Your advice inspires me to learn more linkedin features.
Thanks Steve,
Let me know if I can help with anything.
Thank You is truly a wonderful word and it does go far ….i am a pretty new member to linked in and i have been told recently that the warehouse i run out in Ma …is being put on the market ( sold ) due to the slow economy , i have been employed by the same company since i was in H.S. , so its been about 30 years now and i am now looking for a new position. Im looking to relocate to a warmer climate , i run a vacuum cleaner and janitorial supply warehouse in case anyone knows of any openings .. I am hispanic and speak and write in spanish also….if anyone knows of any positions needing someone in warehousing please reply…….thank you Victor Rivera ( [email protected] )
I found this extremely helpful and motivating. I am just starting my own company after working in the corporate world for over 30 years. I was informed about Linkedin but never consider all the tools and opportunities there were to promote my business. Having extensive expereince on the procurement and sourcing side, the marketing and sales side is where I felt I needed to develop skills and contacts. With what I learned today and will continue to study via the links on this page, I really appreciate what has been provided for others who are also looking for ideas and sugggestions.
I enjoyed these tips. Can't wait for a more expansive ebook type of read.
This is wonderful information for someone like me who is brand new in linkedin. I really appreciate the information, Thank you!
I also have concerns about linking to everyone … it does seem to dilute the value. Yes, they can find me … and I can find them … but can I get a trusted introduction from someone who actually knows them?
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience! I am new to LinkedIn, and I certainly do have a lot to learn. I'm looking forward to incresaing my circle, not only so I can get my own name out there, but so that I can enjoy the benefits of learning all about everyone else that is out there as well.
I completely agree with Ruth Ann. I'm not adding people I don't know, because I don't know what kind of people they are. Are they people I *want* to be associated with? If you've got people in your network that I have a negative affiliation or connotation with, I'm going to have a negative (at least initially) view of you.
And quite frankly, I automatically question the people that have hundreds (or thousands) of connections. It just seems disingenuous to me to add all these people to your network, when you don't really have a relationship with them.
THese are all very helpful suggestions, thanks for posting this for all to see. Thanks for sharing.
Great ideas and remember that by becoming transparent be sure that what you show is what you want people to see – take off the “frat-party” stuff.
Also it is a great idea to google yourself… I just did and found that ZoomInfo and Spoke.com both had old references for me. If you hope old connections can lead people to you then take the time to update them and assure their accuracy. Again it only takes a few minutes.
Thanks for the great ideas and sharing success.
ed!
Great suggestions. Thanks so much for taking the time to share! Feel free to invite me to connect. [email protected]
Happy New Year!
Bridget Zeigler
Hey, the post is a real good read…
Thanks for the inputs…
Lewis, these ideas are so natural but there are people that do not know how to build a professional or friends network. I have been in the publishing, cable tv, and ad agency company businesses for 30 years. When I launched my firm COLE COMMUNICATIONS I was the lead person representing the strategic vision, ceo in market, and had joined many business and philanthopical organizations to help and to bring visibility to the company. my largest client was RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL AND MSG WHEREBY I CREATED HEADLINER MAGAZINE FOR THEM AND REACHED 3.6 MILLION PATRONS AND NY CITY HIGH END COMPANIES…..THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO LEARNING MORE ON LINKED IN. I DID WORK FOR PC MAGAZINE AS GM BUT IN TECHNOLOGY YOU CAN ALWAYS USE HELP AS IT EVOLVES. BEST
DREW COLE
Thanks for the information. I would really appreciate you checking out my website and registering in our guest book.
Terry
When I received an invitation to join linkedin a few months ago, I accepted and then ignored the site. I've since realized the unlimited power available in networking with like minded people. Lewis, thanks for sharing your tips and showing yet another way to promote a book. http://www.galebrowning.com Gale Browning
Great, great suggestions. Thank you
This is Great Information!!!!!!! Networking and understanding the power of social media is the key to the 21rst century!
Thanks for your valuable hints
I agree with you that social media is the key in the 21st century… thanks for your comment!
This is quite impressive, I am pleased to read this post, keep posts like this coming, you totally rock!
http://sain-web.com
Hi Victor, we're pretty much in the same boat. If you're in need of insured and secured moving companies, then I strongly suggest this one. Their timeliness and affordable charges is such an amazing offer in this hard times.
Thanks for posting this one. I really love watching sports channel, for it entertains me a lot. Especially when I'm watching about boating. I really love sports.
Thank you so much for applying some time in order to compose “13 Ways To Generate Massive Success On LinkedIn – Sports Networker”.
Many thanks yet again -Jillian
In response to Ruth’s comments. I have found that when someone invites me or I check to see who has looked at my profile that is someone I don’t know, I jot them a quick message and ask them questions.
How do I know you?
I noticed you looked at my profile page, tell me more about yourself or your industry.
Also, I try to take the time to look over their network as well as their profile page. Maybe there is a connection or some kind of relevance as to what my networking with them may be.
I also have taken the approach that no one should be disregarded…you never know who the know. From My garbage man to the executive next door, who is in their network?
The main point is to use somewhat of a cautionary eye. I have clicked the “I don’t know” button on some people that have either not responded to my messages or after a short time digging realized they are wanting to use me to grow their network for some sales pitch. There are those out there that use LinkedIn for selfish sales tools.
Just my 2 cents….