The LinkedIn Guide | #ThinkIndian Campaign

Yogesh Satpute Page 1

In this LinkedIn Profile Guide, the #ThinkIndian Campaign (formerly known as The Shunyataam Project before Lok Sabha Elections in India 2014) arms you with the essentials for creating impressive LinkedIn Profile that produces results. #ThinkIndian initiatives are based on real life experiences apart SEO/SMM and brand management techniques for optimizing social reach. The purpose of this step-by-step guide aims to tap the untapped literate adult population in India, who are not social media users OR do not have an effective online presence. However, #ThinkIndian is an initiative for professional development of each and every one. Feel free to gather knowledge and implement it. Remember, your LinkedIn is an online resume, rather your credibility as a professional. It’s not a social profile, like the one you may have on Social Networks like Facebook. Content on LinkedIn should be narrowed down to your professional development and mainly be client-centric speaking business. It is important to STAND OUT and be noticed. LinkedIn allows very limited formatting; only includes using CAPS for things you want to stand out and special keyboard symbols. Following is a procedure while drafting a LinkedIn profile:

Create your profile in a word document and then copy and paste it into your LinkedIn Profile.

Add symbols for things you want to stand out such as <│ ▌► ◄ ♦ • ★☆>.

Uploaded into LinkedIn, PROOFREAD it yourself and from peers and trusted Sources

How to create a Compelling and Optimized LinkedIn Profile: Copyright ©013

The Name: This is your first impression so keep it simple and clutter free. Don’t add any acronyms and credentials to it. Keep it clear and concise. And ALWAYS use your personal name, not the name of your company.

The Picture: Have a simple headshot, preferably of professional quality with a plain white background. Do NOT have a logo, full body shot or picture or you with anyone else. Make sure it is an attractive picture and that you are SMILING.

The Professional Headline: This is the most important field in your profile. You have 120 characters here so be sure to use your keywords and make sure you choose compelling words. Talk about the value you bring to your clients. Below is an example of Name, Picture and Professional Headline. For complete profile please click here

The LinkedIn Guide | #ThinkIndian Campaign

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Websites: LinkedIn will let you put up to three website in your profile. Do not use their generic labels such as “My Company” or “My Blog.” Always click “Other” and change the words to describe what you offer. You can even have multiple links to the same website. My Company: ThinkIndian My Blog: The Yogi Blog Other: SatputeSays

Twitter: Be sure to add your Twitter handle to your page. This will allow people who connect with you on LinkedIn to easily follow you on Twitter also. Ensure you backlink it to Twitter. Example: Twitter: @yogesh_satpute

Public Profile: You can change the url for your LinkedIn Profile to what is called a vanity url. Whenever possible choose your name before someone else gets it. If your name is not available, think of a way to still have your name in it by including middle initial or a designation after it. Example: in.linkedin.com/in/SociaMedialGuru

Summary: You have a total of 2,000 characters here; try to use them all and share with people who you are, and what you do. It is important that this is written in first person and not have it as a boring bio. Talk about who you are, who should connect with you and how you can help them. Be interesting, show a little of your personality and always end with a call to action. Let them know exactly what they should do next.

Experience This is another great place to use your keywords, both in the title you held at the company as well as in the description of what you did. You have 100 characters in the title and 2,000 in the description. Only list years do not include months. Include all relevant experience that you have had since college (4-5 positions is enough). The more you have in here the more connection opportunities you will create for yourself. For every position include the following: • What your company does • What you do in the company • Who your customers are • What services you offer

Current Experience Title This is a very important section for search optimization (how people will find you on LinkedIn). Include the keywords and phrases you think others would be searching for when looking for someone who provides what it is you offer.

Past Experience Include information about your past experience. You don’t have to fill out as many details as your current experience but be sure to at least have a paragraph description for each one. Include the keywords and phrases you think others would be searching for when looking for someone who provides what it is you offer.

The LinkedIn Guide | #ThinkIndian Campaign

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Volunteer Experience Add volunteer experience to your profile by selecting to add the volunteer experience section to your profile. You will also have the option of filling out a list causes you care about and adding a list of organizations you support.

Education List all education you have had. Include college, business training, technical training and any professional training you’ve had. Include all accomplishments, awards, special projects and credentials that will enhance your credibility.

Interests Discuss in this section things that you enjoy, this is the place where you can show your human side. You can include both personal and professional interests. You have 1,000 characters in this section.

Groups and Associations. List all of the groups and associations that you belong to. These can be industry, professional social and non-profit organizations. Include full spelling of them and separate each one with a comma.

Video Use LinkedIn’s multimedia feature to add video to your profile. You can add videos below your summary section as well as below each position in your experience section. Having a video in your profile really separates you from the rest on LinkedIn. Your video can be a welcome video, a video talking about what you offer or a video testimonial.

Add Multimedia In addition to adding a video you can also add images, documents and presentations. If you have a Slideshare presentation you can add it (along with videos). below your summary section as well as below each position in your experience section.

Skills Click on the “More” tab on the LinkedIn navigation bar above your profile. Then click on “Skills”. Here you can add a list of your skills. Have keywords in mind here and list the skills you have that people may be searching for. Keep in mind that these are the skills people will be endorsing you for so select skills you want to be known and endorsed for.

Contact Settings In this section you have 1,800 characters where you can discuss who you want to connect with, how they can connect with you and anything else you want to share. Include all of the contact information that you are comfortable sharing here.

Recommendations It is important that you get some recommendations on your LinkedIn Profile. Simply ask people that you know for a recommendation. Getting recommendations from your clients is always best. Always customize the message that is sent out when asking for recommendations. Make it easy for the person you are requesting a recommendation from by providing a sample. Try to get at least 5-10 recommendations on your profile. Note: one of the best ways to get recommendations is to give them!

The LinkedIn Guide | #ThinkIndian Campaign

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LinkedIn Groups You can join a total of 50 groups. Take advantage of that and find 50 groups that you can join. Look for groups that are in your geographically area, your industry, and groups where your ideal clients may be. You may also want to join groups on subjects that you want to learn more about.

Status Update Each day update your status so you show up in the news feed of your connections and appear active on LinkedIn. If you have a blog post you can use the link to your post as your status update or you can link to another interesting article.

About the Author Yogesh Satpute is India’s leading Social Media Influencer and the founder of #ThinkIndia Campaign formerly known as The Shunyataam Project. He specializes in in helping students and professionals use social media marketing to boost their visibility and for a profitable future. Drafting effective social media strategies by dynamic content is his mantra. He’s a regular contributor to several social media and business magazines and is a highly sought after content developer by Indian Political Parties. Yogesh’s association with Indian Social Media Users has inspired him to author his upcoming new book – “#ThinkIndian – The exchange of Superpowers” endorses a innovative culture that India brings to the table for marketing using Social Networks.

Specifically for LinkedIn, main questions addressed in #ThinkIndian are: Why “the jury is no longer out” on the common belief that to effectively use social media you

need to invest hours of time and yet be consistent?

How is LinkedIn effective for politicians?

What are the main factor sales professionals don’t know about LinkedIn that could be costing them sales?

The prospect perspective

And much more…