Last night, I attended an excellent workshop run by Adam Petford, the LinkedIn Coach. Adam has figured out how to use LinkedIn as the ultimate networking tool.
From 1,600 first degree connections, Adam has the ability to receive introductions to over 300,000 second degree connections, and in his workshop, he shows you how you can do the same.
This is a highly leveraged form of networking that far exceeds what you can do on your own outside LinkedIn. Here are the three key takeaways for you to maximize the potential of LinkedIn:
Create a Killer LinkedIn Profile
Your LinkedIn success depends on the quality of your LinkedIn profile. Adam explains clearly how to create a compelling profile headline that captures people’s attention and how a genuine, personal summary is far more valuable than simply listing accomplishments.
The main benefit of your LinkedIn profile comes from other people’s recommendations which serves as evidence that you truly have the ability to deliver what you say you can deliver. Any success with clients or positive interactions with colleagues should be documented through recommendations. Adam explains how to clearly ask for recommendations from your LinkedIn connections. As with most things in business, the more specific you can be, the better the recommendations.
Grow Your LinkedIn Network
Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross had ABC — Always Be Closing. Adam has ABB — Always Be Busy. Success on LinkedIn depends on the size and quality of your network. All it takes is 30 minutes a day to grow and interact with your network.
Take that stack of business cards in your drawer and connect with those people on LinkedIn to bring life to that connection. You spent time and, possibly, money to meet that person, and no value is being created when his or her business card is stuff in your drawer.
Find and Connect with Prospective Clients
LinkedIn is essentially a sales database of over 120 million business people. Most people wouldn’t be on LinkedIn unless they were trying to build their professional relationships. Adam explains how selling directly won’t work on LinkedIn, but connecting with your target customers and offering to help either by providing information or introductions is the first step in developing a business relationship.
Search, answers, and groups are specific LinkedIn features that enable you to focus like a laser beam on identifying your target audience. Once you’ve identified who they are, it’s time to connect. Adam shows you how to connect using LinkedIn that are so easy that you will never have to make a cold call again.
Image by markhillary
Have you had success using LinkedIn to grow your business?
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David is absolutely right. I have been working with Accelerated Online to improve my online visibility and have learned so much from him. This seminar totally blew me away and fits right in to the strategies we are developing for Total Metal Resource. Im excited to see what happens!