Small Business chat this week discussing Getting the Most Out of LinkedIn - Tuesday 8-9pm EDT on Twitter. We had two very special expert panel members join:
- Steven Burda, @sburda - #4 top-linked member of Linkedin with 40,000 direct connections - http://www.linkedin.com/in/burda
- Neal Schaffer, @NealSchaffer - a power user on Linkedin who has a blog all about Linkedin - http://www.linkedin.com/in/nealschaffer
Question 1: What can I do to generate more business using LinkedIn?
nealschaffer: Q1 First of all you need a complete and robust profile that is heavily branded. Part of LinkedIn is being found, so you need to #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q1 Consider search engine optimization of your profile the exact same as your website. #smbiz
sburda: For that question, to generate more business using Linkedin, you’ll need some online (LI) presence.. #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q1 If there are keywords that you want people to find your business on, make sure they are embedded in your profile. #smbiz
sburda: and have 100% completed profile. #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q1 If you can advertise your company with a presentation, add the Slideshare application and upload your presentation. #smbiz
deniseoberry: Q1 So what do you consider to be a complete and robust heavily branded profile? Specifics please. #smbiz
sburda: It is important to remember that linkedin is a tool. a platform. YOUR success depends on what YOU put in. That said… #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q1 This will help better advertise your company in an interactive way should people find you. LI is a static medium, so this helps. #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q1 Next, because LI is a way for you to communicate with more people than you can physically meet, #smbiz
sburda: Q1: fill out all the fields, with as much info about your company and services that you offer. #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q1 Next you should grow out your network to get more reach and the ability to directly communicate with more people. #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q1 When you fill out a profile, it will show what % completeness you have. Just follow the LI tips in “Edit Your Profile” until 100%. #smbiz
sburda: Q1 Reach out to the people and connect with those you know and trust first… individuals that you know at the present and from past. #smbiz
sburda: Q1: then, as YOU grow your network (remember, its quality not quantity) YOU will see people reaching out to you: friends of friends.. #smbiz
nealschaffer: Twitter vs. LinkedIn 101 : Twitter is microblogging for branding to follow, LI is a static database of professionals to network with. #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q1 I recommend a large network for everyone. See http://budurl.com/rdm4 for more information on what to do with the connections. #smbiz
karatcopy: OK this is a newbie’s questions, but could someone give me a quick twitter vs linked in 101 #smbiz
SternalMrktg: @karatcopy Q1 I like to look at LI as online resume & biz networkn center. Twitter: networking realtime w/ a sprinkle of personal #smbiz
sburda: Q1: good tips and Linkedin/Networking 101 (for small business as well) here: http://burda.businesscard2.com (100s of PDFs) #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q1 Go to http://budurl.com/6bu4 for tips on how to grow your network. #smbiz
sburda: Q1 it takes time to see results, as you can understand, not an overnight thing… V C P #smbiz
sburda: Q1 what is V C P? Visibility, Credibility, Profitability… in that order! #smbiz
karatcopy: Q1 How do you manage network when it crosses multiple (& often disparate) professions? #smbiz
nealschaffer: @karatcopy Ideally you should be customizing your message for each demographic in your network. #smbiz
Question 2: Other than for finding new customers, for what other purposes should I be utilizing LinkedIn?
sburda: Q2: there are many reasons why someone should be on Linkedin this day and age, aside from getting new customers… they are: #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q2 There are many reasons that professionals should be on LI that I outline here: http://budurl.com/9dww #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q2 In addition to customers, you can find partners, service vendors, future employees… #smbiz
DIYSiteExpress: @smbiz Q2 connecting with colleagues is also another reason to be on Linkedin. #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q2 Consider LinkedIn your “Trusted Network of Advisors” and your “Professional Yellow Pages”. #smbiz
nealschaffer: @_djh It’s easy to get to 100% if you follow LinkedIn’s own suggestions! Then you can say your profile is “complete” 
#smbiz
sburda: Q2 also, build your online (self) image, your reputation, get recommendations for current/past work… #smbiz
sburda: Q2: Get business answers to yuor questions from 1,000,000s of LI members. (intel!) #smbiz
sburda: Q2: Get business answers to yuor questions from 1,000,000s of LI members. (intel!) #smbiz
deniseoberry: Q2 What are your thoughts about buidling credibility via groups and answering questions on linkedin? #smbiz
rtmote: Q2 LI has not even touched 5% of its potential. 95% of people I work with haven’t heard of it #smbiz
karatcopy: Q2 working as ghostwriter for a client she has a product but is also trying to brand image-women’s healthy sensuality #smbiz
AMcDermott: Q2: the whole point of social n/w’ing (real or online) is to make friends and get to know ppl. LI makes it easy to help people #smbiz
nealschaffer: @DIYSiteExpress In fact, some only think of LinkedIn as sort of a classmates.com for professionals. They are missing the big picture. #smbiz
nealschaffer: @rtmote LI only has 40 million members compared to 200 million for Facebook, so it’s not the only game in town. BUT, #smbiz
nealschaffer: @rtmote LinkedIn has a very professional demographic that other sites don’t have, making it the best professional networking platform #smbiz
sburda: Q2: groups are good too on Linkedin. those are the people that share interests with you. #smbiz
_djh: @rtmote Q2 - agree. I still tend to think of LI as a place where people look for jobs. #smbiz
AMcDermott: @deniseoberry I don’t have enough time to spend much on groups/ans Q’s myself, but I do find people more credible when they do it #smbiz
nealschaffer: @smbiz Groups and Answers are absolutely critical tools to help you build out your reputation AND find potential business. #smbiz
sburda: Q2: yes, people do sign up for Linkedin when they are laid off… but its not just for job seekers… #smbiz
nealschaffer: @AMcDermott Don’t need to be on Groups/Answers every day, but even once a week may give yield an opportunity or two. #smbiz
sburda: remember: DIG YOUR WELL BEFORE YOUR THIRSTY… meaning, start when YOU don’t need it. #smbiz
wvpmc: @nealschaffer I’ve answered a couple of questions - can you explain more about how “experts” works? #smbiz
sburda: For my friends at SMBIZ, here’s http://tinyurl.com/HowToUseLinkedin (expand) (free eBook, my gift to you) #smbiz
DIYSiteExpress: @nealschaffer That’s true, I know of people who don’t own businesses and use LI for job hunting. #smbiz
AMcDermott: I had potential customer call me on Friday morning who got my number from LinkedIn - used it as Yellow Pages #smbiz
Question 3: Should I use my business name or personal name for the Profile?
sburda: Q3: REAL name. #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q3 I always recommend personal name, because LinkedIn is a network for professionals, NOT company entities. #smbiz
SternalMrktg: @sburda Why should you use real name over business? #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q3 The more real and genuine you are, the more people will trust you. Business name makes you a little invisible. #smbiz
nealschaffer: See http://budurl.com/uql3 for an example of a small business using personal name. #smbiz
AMcDermott: Q3: I prefer personal name vs biz name. Build a personal rep, associate it with biz, you keep it if you sell /get job #smbiz
sburda: for example, i am on Linkedin because I have a passion for helping people and small business … in any way I can. #smbiz
_djh: @nealschaffer Q3 - I agree and think that is the case in most Social Media. More personal than corporate. #smbiz
deniseoberry: Q3 - Best thing to remember is that people do business with people, not companies. Helps a bunch on LinkedIn or anywhere… #smbiz
DrFernKazlow: @AMcDermott Agree! Personal name is best most times - fits the medium and purpose better #smbiz
nealschaffer: @_djh That’s the idea about Social Media in that it is _users_, not corporations, generating the content! #smbiz
Question 4: Does a small network or a large network make sense for small businesses on LinkedIn? #smbiz
sburda: Q4: for a small business, start small. don’t get too overwhelmed with it. #smbiz
sburda: Q4: as time goes on, your network will grow. don’t be focused if its 1 new contact a day or 100. #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q4 As I mentioned in Q1, if the objective is for your small business to be found, #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q4 The larger your network the better potential you have of being found. #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q4 It really is common sense to have a large network. Otherwise why be on LinkedIn in the first place? #smbiz
sburda: Q4: but with time, its best to grow your network… to have the most Diverse profile and connection list will bring more business… #smbiz
sburda: ..with time. not an overnight thing. so START early. HELP others. you’ll collect the rewards (in terms of $$) later. #smbiz
AMcDermott: Q4 The “who” of your network is always more important than the “how many”, whether it’s LinkedIn, Twitter, FB, etc #smbiz
sburda: Q4: also, connect with Super Connectors: http://www.toplinked.com/top50.html #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q4 Consider a LinkedIn contact part of your _virtual_ network, only made possible by Social Media and Web 2.0. Exploit it! #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q4 And connect with the TopLinked Top Supporters as well http://www.toplinked.com/toplinked.html #smbiz
sburda: Q4: This article from The Economist says why to connect with people: http://tinyurl.com/dglx2f (expand) #smbiz
Question 5: How should I utilize LinkedIn compared to say Twitter or Facebook? #smbiz
sburda: Q5 treat it as your online digital resume #smbiz
sburda: Q5: FB and twitter, you can be silly… but with Linkedin, try to be professional (unless you’re in a business to be silly) #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q5 The LI demographic is 40 million mainly professionals with large incomes. #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q5 I think Twitter has similar demographic with 15+? million _mainly_ professionals (from my own perspective). #smbiz
labeling: @sburda: I’m new to SN - For others like me out there, you should read sburda articles http://www.cio.com/article/print/470122 #smbiz
SternalMrktg: @karatcopy Just a little bit every day. Try 2 have a presence on many sites & test which work best for u. Then focus in. #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q5 Facebook has 200 million members but the demographic is scattered. #smbiz
nethooks: Q5: LinkedIn=Create Profile, Twitter+Facebook=Share/Spread Profile #smbiz
sburda: Q5: i use Linkedin and Facebook. i dont have time for others… i wish i had 50 hrs in a day #smbiz
Question 6: How can LinkedIn help for things like getting funding for my small business? #smbiz
sburda: Q6: ASK!! look up for people who are in PE firms and present your sales pitch. #smbiz
sburda: Q6: people will also give you tips, such as what other sites to use: Prosper.com for funding. I learned of it via Linkedin! #smbiz
wvpmc: Can you talk a little about answering questions and becoming an “expert” #smbiz
sburda: Yes, to become an expert, make sure you answer thoroughly #smbiz
sburda: and the owner of the queston will chose the BEST answer (yours, you’d hope) thus making you an expert #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q6 There are many VCs on LinkedIn. Do an advanced search for your locale and niche and proactively contact them directly! Exploit LI! #smbiz
DavidSandusky: Q6 find funding sources like any other people. have great profile and well though out message for your contact to use in intro #smbiz
sburda: Q6: i have 100s of VCs/PEs… i can forward introductions for you: http://tinyurl.com/MyNetwork (expand) (.xls, no personal info) #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q6 You can get advice from people just by networking. I find if you offer your help many will oblige. Now go out there and connect! #smbiz
AMcDermott: Q6: Don’t forget, with all this online social NW’ing, to go and meet people in person. The power of S/N is *the intro*. #smbiz
nealschaffer: @wvpmc Always be through in your answer, and try to offer a unique perspective. Don’t say what anyone else has already said. #smbiz
DavidSandusky: as exec recruiter on LI, I find it faster/better to research ppl and pick up the phone #smbiz
Question 7: What is a LinkedIn application, and how do they help small businesses? #smbiz
sburda: Q7: they are little tools that let you store slides, travel tips, calendars, blogs, etc about YOUR company. PEOPLE will notice them #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q7 LinkedIn applications are add-in modules to enhance your profile. #smbiz
sburda: i don’t use many apps myself, by profile in PDF is here: http://tinyurl.com/LinkedinBio (expand) #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q7 There are 11 total LinkedIn applications, but they can be organized as follows, in order of importance: #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q7 ** Google Presentations & Slideshare…value here in being able to embed your company presentation into your profile. A must! #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q7 ** Events. If you host/attend events, this is essential. If you host it is easy to post and advertise here for free. #smbiz
DavidSandusky: Q7 applications: feeds are by far the best for me #smbiz
sburda: Q7: i sometime see it as annoyance if you have too much, like MySpace … so less is more re: apps #smbiz
AskViki: The LI apps I use are: Google Presentation, Jobs, Answers, and a link to my Blog. #smbiz
_djh: RT @sburda: Q7: i sometime see it as annoyance if you have too much, like MySpace … so less is more re: apps #smbiz That’s for sure!
AMcDermott: Q7 I’m not crazy about LI apps or FB apps. Tis main reason I prefer Twitter: simplicity. #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q7 **Events (ctd.) If you go to industry events, great for finding new ones as well as people who attend that you can connect with. #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q7 *Company Buzz..good to track how your company, competition, and industry are talked about on Twitter. #smbiz
SternalMrktg: Q7 I love that I can add a few blog post summaries to my LI profile with the Wordpress app #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q7 * Wordpress & Bloglink…if you blog or tweet you can add this information to your profile and drive people to your blog/Twitter. #smbiz
karatcopy: another newbie question. do u put your LI connection on yr website (twitter should already be there)? #smbiz
AskViki: @karatcopy I think it’s up to you, but the easier it is for people to find you the better, don’ t you think so? #smbiz
DrFernKazlow: @AMcDermott @karatcopy Agree! I have a page on my site where I list all ( need to add some) my SN sites.(that link’s on twitter bkgd) #smbiz
Question 8: We briefly touched on groups, what the best way to use them for networking & biz leads? #smbiz
DavidSandusky: Q8 best way to use groups: add value on Qs and shut up. no pitching. Ask real Qs, not leading for ur biz. conversation #smbiz
wvpmc: any thoughts about how well you should know people you connect with on LI? #smbiz
SternalMrktg: @wvpmc I don’t think u need to know everyone, just check their profiles to make sure they are serious about biz. #smbiz
AskViki: @jairmorselli1 Yes, and we small business owners need to think of non-traditional ways to do get our name known. #smbiz
wordpost: Q8 I think there’s a difference between “networking” for mutual benefit, and “shark-working” for sales #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q8 I recommend that you start your own group based on your company’s core competency. #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q8 He has made new customers from this group and created a following, a community. Every small business owner can/should do the same. #smbiz
Question 9: How can I best utilize LinkedIn with my Web site or soc media platforms? #smbiz
sburda: Q9 have complate profile, help others, promote yourself and your own business… #smbiz
sburda: Example is Dave the Wire Man! www.linkedin.com/in/davemaskin #smbiz
karatcopy: @wordpost Yes it’s the ol’ helpful vs hustler dichotomy Don’t get why people ignore the imp. of trust. #smbiz
sburda: Q9: dave’s profile is prime example. THAT’S how it should be.. his business is booming!! #smbiz
BulkyWebEU: Q9 Post link to LI on all your webs/blogs/profiles but don’t post feeds from all soc-med sites to LI #smbiz
AskViki: @sburda I agree, although I try to find the time to keep up with the discussions on LI, I just can’t keep up! #smbiz
Question 10: Is there anything I should avoid when using LinkedIn? R they strict with anything? #smbiz
sburda: Q10: dont use standard invites. personalize them. #smbiz
DavidSandusky: @smbiz Q10 LI will eventually cancel profiles with business name-use your name #smbiz
sburda: Q10 avoid mass mailing. do one by one and target people you wnt to reach #smbiz
sburda: Q10 they are strict with IDK’s (i dont know) so if some people click that, and you get 5 of those…. they will lock your linkedin #smbiz
nethooks: Q10: Don’t create multiple accounts #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q10 LinkedIn is strict on spam. Be careful and don’t spam. If you want to add someone to a mailing list, get their permission first. #smbiz
nethooks: Q10: Don’t ask random contacts to add you as connection because you’ve hit your invite limit #smbiz
DavidSandusky: Q10 common sense. don’t ask ppl u don’t know for endorsement. watch those w/ worthless endorsements and multi in few days #smbiz
AskViki: Q10 My LI profile has both my name and my business name #smbiz
nealschaffer: @BulkyWebEU LinkedIn is a _static_ medium, and thus Twitter tweets are really only suitable for a dynamic environment like Twitter. #smbiz
AMcDermott: Q10 A huge amount is just common sense & not being a spammer. Treat others as you want to be treated #smbiz
nealschaffer: Q10 Go to http://budurl.com/ax9h for more detail on the “I Don’t Know” or “IDK” problem when receiving 5 of these. #smbiz
smbiz: Thanks to our great panel members @sburda and @nealschaffer for sharing so much great info tonight #smbiz
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