How To Use LinkedIn to Build

Your Network

withErica SwallowTech Journalist

Erica Swallow@ericaswallow

ericaswallow.com

About LinkedIn• Launched in May 2003

• World’s largest professional network• 150+ million members in over 200

countries and territories

• Your digital resume• High ranking in search results• 4 billion people searches in 2011• Networking, job search

The LinkedIn Profile

Fill Out the Basics

• Should reflect your current situation• Job history• Education• Recent photo• Contact information• Headline• Summary paragraph

Add Connections• Email contacts, colleagues, classmates,

suggestions• Always personalize the message

Join Groups• Types of groups

• Topical interest areas• social media marketing, ballroom dancing

• College alumni association• NYU Alumni

• Professional associations• Direct Marketing Association

• Company employee group• Bloomingdale’s Alumni

• Discussions & polls• Job boards• Email digest

The Basics of Group Pages

Follow Group Influencers

• See weekly influencers

• Learn about each individual

• Follow him to stay up-to-date on important group discussions

Group Member Overviews

Ask for Recommendations• Focus on quality, not quantity• Approach individuals separately and/or in person

• Don’t send out mass messages• Add a personal touch• Explain the importance of his/her

recommendation• Give recommendations!

Use Value-Added Applications

• A few of my favorites• SlideShare Presentations• WordPress• Tweets• My Travel

Try the Polls Application• Market research

• Distributed to your contacts and the LinkedIn community

• Share your poll on Twitter and Facebook• Embed the poll on your website or blog

Be an Expert: LinkedIn Answers

• LinkedIn’s Q&A platform• Gain expertise points in specific topics

• All topics have experts

Follow Company Pages• Learn about a company’s job openings• Connect with employees

Find News on LinkedIn Today

Filter Your Connections

Questions?

Erica Swallow@ericaswallow

ericaswallow.com