Linked Into Business http://linkedintobusiness.com Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:09:49 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 The Future of LinkedIn: 8 Possible Directions http://linkedintobusiness.com/the-future-of-linkedin-8-possible-directions/ http://linkedintobusiness.com/the-future-of-linkedin-8-possible-directions/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:01:12 +0000 VivekaVonRosen http://linkedintobusiness.com/?p=2362 The Future of LinkedIn: 8 Possible Directions
What is the future of LinkedIn? ]]> The Future of LinkedIn: 8 Possible Directions

Where Do You See LinkedIn Going?

1.  Connect-ability

Where do I see LinkedIn going?  Beyond the inevitability of yearly facelifts (one of the reasons I really appreciate LinkedIn is that its designers don’t feel the need to change its look and function-ability every few months) I am hopeful that LinkedIn will focus on making valid connectibility between its members easier and more effective. Right now the only way to send messages is directly to a first level connection, through groups, updates and paid InMails.  I believe this greatly inhibits people’s ability to connect and do business.  I understand LinkedIn is protecting against the incredible spammy nature of communications that has infiltrated most social media sites – but it also greatly limits people’s ability to connect.  Perhaps LinkedIn will find a different way to monetize its network and allow for more introductions or easier Group communications.

2.  Customer Relationship Management

I would love to see an interactive scheduling program turning LinkedIn into a true CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system.  I’m excited about the LinkedIn For Sales Force App available to Salesforce users, but would love to see the same kind of contact management system for business folks who don't use Salesforce.   I think they have made a start buying CardMunch.com.  I’m excited to see where they might go with a LinkedIn CRM.  Some kind of truly usable CRM system to help us organize, connect with, time and schedule communications with our ENTIRE LinkedIn Network, not just our first levels, would be a tool I would pay some money for!

3.  Third Party Apps

One of the things I appreciate about LinkedIn is that there are not hundreds of thousands of third party apps to sift through like you have with Facebook and Twitter.  This means less potential for hackers and worms, but it also means less potential usability.  I don’t care who creates the applications, third party or LinkedIn itself, but a few more apps and a slightly more open API would be nice.  Also – It would be great if LinkedIn would allow you to use more than 8 apps at a time.  While I appreciate LinkedInLabs and the Hackaday incentive – the only apps they have created that I think truly help in my business are LinkedIn Signal and InMaps

4.  Jeff Weiner

So back to the future of LinkedIn.  When Jeff Weiner was made CEO, he really began to open LinkedIn to its more social aspect.  I hope the trend continues that way.  LinkedIn Today and LinkedIn Signal are two of my favorite innovations from his reign.  Rumor has it he was brought into LinkedIn to take it public, but (almost) a year later he is still CEO and LinkedIn continues to grow and thrive (should be hitting 145 million users any day now).  I just hope he is able to balance gross profits with social and influence profitability.  

5.  The LinkedIn Profile

I also see LinkedIn continuing to add segments to the user profile.  An easier video app would be appreciated (You can use Google Presentations and Slideshare to upload video but it's a bit tricky and very buggy).  They already have the technology (uploading YouTube video into your Company Page’s Products and Services) so why not add them to personal profiles? I think its inevitable (and I cringe to think about it) but there probably needs to be some Facebook interaction.  On the other hand, while you can still add your twitter account to your LinkedIn Profile, they are dropping the Tweets app, so perhaps LinkedIn will avoid becoming embroiled with other social sites.  And why oh why did Tweetdeck drop LinkedIn :( With the recent changes to Facebook with the Timeline, and the massive appeal of Pinterest, I have a feeling a more visually appealing LinkedIn user profile might be on its way.  A few more pics (as long as they are NOT your trip to Cozumel) would probably not be amiss.

6.  An Autonomous LinkedIn Company Page

If LinkedIn is smart it will make use of one of Facebook’s inventions – the autonomous business page.  They are definitely moving in that direction with Company Page updates.  I love the customized banner ads, and some of the other features including analytics that LinkedIn has “recently” added.

7.  Analytics

Speaking of Analytics – LinkedIn REALLY needs to amp up its analytics.  Our personal profiles need more info then who has viewed us, joined our network and where they are from.  How about the Company Update analytics on our personal updates?  How about letting us know WHEN our network is active?  How about more statistics about LinkedIn users themselves.  Again – Something I would be willing to pay for

8.  $$$

And I have a feeling you will be able to buy more things on LinkedIn in the future – Buy more invitations, buy more visibility, buy more connections, buy more content, buy more expertise,  etc. Those are just a few things I see happening.  How about you?  Let’s talk about it tonight (Jan 31) on the #LinkedInChat at 5 PST, 8 EST.  Join us at www.tweetchat.com/room/linkedinchat

Questions for tonight’s #LinkedInChat

Q1: What are your favorite recent LinkedIn Innovations? Why? How do you use them? Q2: What tools do you use the most on LinkedIn? How? Q3: What would you like to see LinkedIn offering that is doesn’t already? Q4: What tools do you use with LinkedIn? (CardMunch, Batchbook, etc) Q4: What would you like to see in LinkedIn’s future – overall and specifically? Q5: What do you actually see as LinkedIn’s future?

Here's a List of the Resources Shared Tonight!

Please feel free to add to this list, embed it or share it!  ]]> http://linkedintobusiness.com/the-future-of-linkedin-8-possible-directions/feed/ 5 5 Ways to Use LinkedIn for Conferences http://linkedintobusiness.com/5-ways-to-use-linkedin-for-conferences/ http://linkedintobusiness.com/5-ways-to-use-linkedin-for-conferences/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:33:23 +0000 VivekaVonRosen http://linkedintobusiness.com/?p=2346 5 Ways to Use LinkedIn for Conferences
Using LinkedIn to make, engage with and solidify connections is a great way to double the ROI of your conference or tradeshow time and expenses.]]> 5 Ways to Use LinkedIn for Conferences

Double the ROI of your Conference or Tradeshow

LinkedIn:  Pre and Post Conference

LinkedIn is an excellent tool for both preparing for conferences and as follow-up after a conference.  Let's talk about some of the ways you can use LinkedIn to have more success, more sales, and more engagement before, during and after your conference and tradeshow travels! 1.  If at all possible, see if you can get an attendee list for your conference.  This is easier to do if you are a presenter.  As an attendee, you might have to pay for this list - or it might not be available at all.  However, if the conference is also posted as an event in a meetup, Facebook or LinkedIn Event, you will be able to see the other people who have marked themselves as interested or attending.  Its worth doing a quick even search in Facebook, LinkedIn and Meetup.com to see if your conference is listed there. If you can get a list of conference attendees,  it would be a great idea to look them up on LinkedIn and see if you are connected.  You might want to use the advanced search in order to do this. The reason for that is you can check specifically by location and not spend a lot of time looking for people who might have the same name - but not be the same person -  as the attendee you were looking for. 2.  Once you have found an attendee that you want to connect with, send them an invitation. If you aren't comfortable sending them an invitation, see if they are a member of the group and send a message through that group. If you have a paid account you can also send them an Inmail. But what a great thing to do! Set up a meeting before you ever meet. 3.  If you don't have an attendee list, you can always set up meetings for LinkedIn members in the city that you're traveling to! There's no better way to make connections than to meet face-to-face. For more information about how to use LinkedIn when you travel go to http://linkedintobusiness.com/10-ways-to-use-linkedin-when-you-travel/. 4. As you begin to meet people make sure you gather their business cards. When you get back to your hotel room in the evening, invite them to connect with you on LinkedIn.  Do it as soon as possible.  While they still remember who you are.   Once you've added them as a connection,  make sure you tag their profile. For more information on how to tag a connection go to http://linkedintobusiness.com/tagging-your-way-into-toma-with-linkedin/. Tagging will allow you to more easily communicate and follow up with your connections.  Tag your connections:
  • By the industry they work in
  • By the company they work for
  • By the name of the conference
  • By their area of expertise
  • Or all of the above....
...you can ===--in one fell swoop  - reminding them who you are  and what you do. Or even better, space use one of Bob Burg's great referral techniques. Ask them what they do and who is their best client is so you can keep them as a referral partner. It's great to learn things at conferences and trade shows, but it's even better to make connections whom you can do business with later on! That will vastly increased the ROI of the conference. 5.   Use the CardMunch App if you have an iPhone or iPad (BB and Android app coming soon)  LinkedIn recently bought CardMunch and it is one of my favorite new tools. It allows you to take a snapshot of the business card and upload that information directly into your database. You can then invite those people to connect with you on LinkedIn or just add them to whatever CRM system you are using. The power of conferences is in the follow-up -  so use these tools to follow up with the people that you meet!  

Tonight's #LinkedInChat is going to be all about how to use LinkedIn at conferences and trade shows here are the questions will be asking:

  1. Do you attend conferences or tradeshows?
  2. How do you prepare for conferences and trade shows?
  3. What kind of research do you put into finding out who will attend or be speaking at the conference or tradeshow you're attending?
  4. Do you use LinkedIn when preparing for a conference?
  5. How do you use LinkedIn when you are preparing for a conference?
  6. How are you at following up after the conference?
  7. Do you follow up after a conference or trade show?
  8. How do you follow up after a trade show or conference?
  9. Do you use CardMunch.com?
]]> http://linkedintobusiness.com/5-ways-to-use-linkedin-for-conferences/feed/ 1 LinkedIn. It’s Not Just for Recruiters Anymore http://linkedintobusiness.com/linkedin-its-not-just-for-recruiters-anymore/ http://linkedintobusiness.com/linkedin-its-not-just-for-recruiters-anymore/#comments Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:07:59 +0000 VivekaVonRosen http://linkedintobusiness.com/?p=2170 LinkedIn. It’s Not Just for Recruiters Anymore
Some of LinkedIn's "Newer" Offers When you say “Social Media” people think of Facebook, Twitter and Google+.  LinkedIn does not always spring to the top of mind.  I suspect this is because LinkedIn, despite its numerous changes, is still considered to be a Rolodex on steroids for jobseekers and recruiters, rather than an active, vibrant …

Continue reading »]]> LinkedIn. It’s Not Just for Recruiters Anymore

Some of LinkedIn's "Newer" Offers

When you say “Social Media” people think of Facebook, Twitter and Google+.  LinkedIn does not always spring to the top of mind.  I suspect this is because LinkedIn, despite its numerous changes, is still considered to be a Rolodex on steroids for jobseekers and recruiters, rather than an active, vibrant social network and marketing tool. If you haven’t visited LinkedIn lately, you might want to drop back in.
1.  LinkedIn has improved its “Contacts” section.  Unlike Facebook (that has a unintuitive “friends” section and complicated “List” and messaging system,) and Twitter (that is even less intuitive “List” app,) LinkedIn has a very intuitive system that allows you not only to “Tag” (sort) your contacts, but add notes, and then use that information to message your contacts either individually or in groups.  You can also add additional contact information beyond what LinkedIn provides you, allowing you to use LinkedIn more as a CRM and business tool.                   2.  LinkedIn added “Signal” allowing you to monitor LinkedIn’s Updates for any keywords or search terms you desire:
  • Your Name
  • Your Company Name
  • Your Twitter Handles
  • Your Competitors
  • Industry Search words
  • Your Products
  • Your Services
  • Potential Clients
Not only that, but you can save the searches which makes monitoring easy.  I have found that Signal will pick up LinkedIn (and Twitter) updates that Google Alerts will miss.  Information you can use to create new relationships, stem the flow of negative responses, refine your offers, keep up on what is happening in your industry, etc. 3.  LinkedIn Today is like an intuitive, focused version of MSN.com for business professionals.  LinkedIn News keeps you informed news websites, blogs, tweets and newsletters, and learns by your interaction with it (based on what your connections and industry peers are reading and sharing) what you are really interested in reading.  That saves you time while delivering you the news you need (and can then share with your LinkedIn and Twitter tribes).             4. “Skills” allows you to add your own unique skills to your LinkedIn profile.   I use Skills to find keywords for my clients to optimize their profile (Related Skills) and to find Industry Influencers and thought leaders I can add to my network.  Skills also shares relevant companies you might want to follow and groups you might want to join.                   I haven’t even mentioned the “Old” tools LinkedIn still offers:
  • Groups
  • Polls
  • Events
  • Applications
  • Jobs
  • Inbox
  • Answers
Any one of which has incredible business potential. Whether you are a B2B or B2C, LinkedIn has the networking, marketing and promotion tools you need.  Use it to stay informed.  Use it to connect and build relationships with strategic business partners (employees, clients, vendors, etc.) Use it to position yourself as an expert.  Use it to promote your products and services.  LinkedIn can do almost everything that Twitter and Facebook can do, but allows you to focus on your business audience.  So take a look at LinkedIn again.  It’s not the stolid conservative old boys network people think it is.  It focused, dynamic, informative and quite frankly, might be invaluable to your business. For more training on LinkedIn, Twitter, Video, Blogging and Facebook, join the Social Media Business School!  ]]> http://linkedintobusiness.com/linkedin-its-not-just-for-recruiters-anymore/feed/ 1