Using LinkedIn as a StrategyAn Intermediate’s Guide

Stephanie E. SmithMarketing & Communications

LinkedIn Stats

• 332 million members (1 in 3 on the planet)

• Average time is 17 minutes per month (21min/day FB)

• Average number of connections is 930

• 13% of millennials use LinkedIn

• 56% of members are male, 44% female

• 30,000 long form posts are published every week

• 41% of millionaires use LinkedIn

Agenda

• Ways to use• Profile optimization• Using LinkedIn for practice growth• Tips and tools

WHY DO YOU USE LINKEDIN?

QUESTION:

Reasons to Use LinkedIn

• Convey your personal brand/personality• Be found for business opportunities• Find people with specialties• Grow your network• Credibility (recommendations/endorsements)• Influence (information sharing)• SME (Media)

10 Practical Ways to Use

1. Professional Branding (Profile)

2. Connections/Introductions

3. Networking

4. Content marketing (Thought Leadership)

5. Promotion

10 Practical Ways to Use

6. News/Education

7. Groups

8. Surveys, Stats and Data

9. Lead Generation

10. Research

“ALL-STAR” PROFILE

“All-Star” Profile

• Picture• Summary• Work experience• Board/Leadership positions• Skills• Education• Recommendations / endorsements• Contact info• Headline is key!

Headlines

SHARING & POSTING CONTENT

Sharing vs. Posting

What to Share

• Relevant• Shareable

– Pictures, visual– Data, stats

• Company posts• Personalize

Where to Share

• Update• Company Page• Groups• LinkedIn Post

When to Share

How to Share

GROWING YOUR SOCIAL NETWORK

Client Interaction

• Connect!• Ask for introductions• Be a resource• Monitor competitors

Referral Sources

• Look for new sources/connections• Personalized connection messages• Check status updates• Recommendations/endorsements

Competitors

• Follow company• Employees (current and past)• Idea generator

Prospects

• Find out who you know• Get background info• Staff continuity

Connection Requests

• Customize your connection message

Congratulations on being listed as one of the most influential…

I think you would make a valuable connection in my professional network and would…

TOOLS

Advanced Search

Attorney Search

• Keyword Litigation

• Industry Legal Services

• Locationwithin 35mi of 44333

Managing Connections

• Hide, Remove, Block

Connect with Outlook

Managing Endorsements

Additional Tools

• Hero Image• SlideShare• Pulse• “Share on LinkedIn”• Keep in Touch

Snapshots

• Profile views• Network/Followers

Profile Settings

Communications Settings

Group Settings

Account Settings

10 Top Tips

1. Turn off activity broadcasts

2. Join groups with target audience in mind

3. Recognize your top 5 strengths and use repeatedly

4. Only ask for endorsements on your top skills

5. Only recommend/endorse those deserving

10 Top Tips

6. Reuse/repurpose content

7. Communicate your accomplishments

8. Don’t be afraid to question connection requests

9. Reorganize content in your profile

10. Get at least 500 connections

Questions?

CONNECT WITH ME!

Stephanie SmithMarketing & CommunicationsBober Markey Fedorovichssmith@bmfcpa.com

@smith1200Linkedin/smith1200