Using LinkedIn To Develop Relationships With Your Network

by Bonnie Ross-Parker
March 3, 2014 Business,Events,Networking,Relationships

LinkedIn can be the best way to find new clients—if you know how to use it! Networking online has similarities to live
events, but it requires that you have ready access to your creativity and communication skills. It has been such a productive tool for me that I’ve gotten most of my clients from networking on LinkedIn.

When I had my low fat dessert business, Twitter was just a whisper. I was able to handle all online marketing because I had to. There was no one with the expertise on the fast paced, ever changing internet. Today, we have so many online marketing choices and I claim
that marketing is one of the greatest single challenges for entrepreneurs.
This includes the effort and the decisions of how to market, what
platforms to use and how much.Networking is a Skill. LinkedIn is a Tool.

5 Ways to Grow Your Connections on LinkedIn:

Event marketing was removed from LinkedIn awhile back so one must be creative in seeking opportunities when generating campaigns and promotions. Here are 5 ways to promote your business and events on LinkedIn:

1-UPDATES: From your home page, share with your Connections (1st degree), or Public and Twitter (1st, 2nd and 3rd degree) connections. You can attach a flyer or link back to your website for the details.

2-GROUPS: You are able join up to 50 Groups on LinkedIn and from within a Group page, you can provide an update on your business or event for the entire group. Watch group rules because they may have a “no promo” policy unless you use the Promotions Tab once on the Group page.

3-MESSAGES: Send a message individually if you have the time or it’s a unique situation to say something about your business. A more efficient method is to send a message from your NETWORK page. This is called a group message and is sent to multiple connections. You can sort alphabetically and select up to 50 first degree connections at one time or by other filters such as tags, location, etc. Also, when sending the message, be sure to uncheck the box that says “allow the recipients to see each other’s names”.

Create a message that is engaging and compelling with the true intent to provide info on an event or business solution that benefits your connections. This works perfectly for introducing a blog and providing a link to bring people to your site (where they can purchase your products).

4-TOP CARD: It’s the place that holds your picture and headline. Add your website address or a landing page address so they can send the viewer to your website. Note that these are not direct links so the viewer needs to copy and paste the address into their browser. Under the Contact Information, you can provide up to 3 direct links to your website pages in the edit contact tab at the bottom. Choose “other” and enter in appropriate URL’s. I have one that goes to my newsletter sign up!

5-SHARE BOOKMARKLET TOOL: You can share any webpage url using this fabulous tool. Once you have this tool on your browser, find the page on your website that has an offer, click on Sharebookmarklet tool and you can select who to share with: connections, twitter, groups, individuals, etc. To learn more and load this on your browser, go to: https://www.linkedin.com/static?key=browser_bookmarklet

Then, create a message that is engaging and compelling with the true intent to provide info on an event or business solution that benefits your connections. This works perfectly for introducing a blog and providing a link to bring people to your site.

GREAT OFFER FOR XPERIENCE CONNECTIONS: Penny is offering 2 webinars for $100 to XC members (individual webinars are $75)

March 27: 5 Steps for Using LinkedIn to Make Connections and Find Clients!

April 24: Charm Your Connections Into Becoming Clients by Using LinkedIn!

All webinars are from 12N-1PM EST.

WHAT A JOHN LOCKE HAD TO SAY: “Penny is very knowledgeable about how to leverage social networks such as LinkedIn for business and client leads. I recently attended a seminar of hers, and I took away many actionable points that I had not previously known, and I consider myself fairly adept at social media. If you ever have an opportunity to work with Penny, or attend a presentation of hers, do not hesitate. Penny is a veteran of sales and marketing, and there is much that she can teach you. ”Top Qualities: Great Results, Personable, Expert!

Penny Pearl, Founder of Bear2Bull Coaching is skilled in building networking both at live social events and online using LinkedIn. Her expertise using LinkedIn for entrepreneurs, start-ups and sales organizations focuses on how to build better networking skills for lead generation and increased business. Penny is an entrepreneur with a strong sales background. Her in depth LinkedIn knowledge along with her engaging coaching style makes the adventure of learning online business building networking skills simple so you can get results for turning prospects into clients.

Reach Penny Penny@Bear2BullCoaching.com / Newsletter / LinkedIn Networking Tips: