3 Keys To Getting Noticed

There are 3 Primary keys to getting noticed on LinkedIn.

1. You have to expand your profile. You get 2000 words to describe yourself. Most people take less than 200, or 10% of the available space that they are allotted. LinkedIn works on text recognition, the same way that most searching does. It scans what your profile says and what comments tied to you say and matches to what people are looking for. Your profile is about getting found. It is your billboard to effective connection. You will notice in many of the more recognizable profiles that people come up with catchy titles and ways of explaining who they are what they have to offer. You are marketing you. So, think like a marketer and describe yourself in such a way that you will be remembered. Take plenty of space to describe your capabilities and key skills. Then, revisit your profile regularly to see what else you might be able to add to it.

1. You have to participate in discussions capitalizing on the use of specific key words that lead people back to your profile. You can move to the top 5 of your industry in less than one month when you participate regularly in discussions. The first key to your participation is to have something worthwhile to say. It is recommended that you begin by viewing discussions that other people have started and then finding something of value to contribute to their discussion. Put a strong emphasis on being insightful and helpful. With LInkedIn, try to avoid the controversial. This is not Facebook. This is professional connection. You need to make at least 1 new comment per day in order to move yourself up in the rankings. If you will find the person that begins the majority of the discussions in your industry's discussion group and comment on everything they start, you will tether your social ranking to them and move up more quickly than if you post comments on random people's discussions.

1. You have to connect. The more connections you have, the more connections there are that are available to you. People tend to be pretty open to connecting with another professional as long as you are from the same country. Don't accept invitations from people from 3rd World countries, that you have no connection with. On the free LinkedIn account, you should focus on connecting with everyone in your electronic contact database. If you use Google, then tie your Google login to your LinkedIn account and have LinkedIn automatically check to see who you can connect with. Next, focus on asking for introductions from your first level contacts. You can see who in your direct connection knows people that you would like to know. Simply ask that person to introduce you via LinkedIn. Once the introduction is made, it is fairly easy to expand the relationship. Send the new person a message through LinkedIn and request a time to meet them in person and learn about their company, or their needs. Never send messages that say you would like to meet with them to sell them something. Always focus on how you can help them and focus on listening, not telling.

Good luck and happy connecting!

Jody N Holland
www.iWorkZone.com