Anyone can sign up for an account at LinkedIn, but for it to be an effective tool, it is essential to create a good, professional profile. That way you will find that you will connect more easily with other people and others will connect more effectively with you.

linkedin

Here are some tips to help you optimise and improve your LinkedIn profile and make it work for you.

1. Complete your profile. This might sound strange, but people often sign up with LinkedIn and then don’t complete their profiles. This will defeat the object since it will look completely UN-professional, when the aim is to create a professional identity online. LinkedIn points out to users that those with a complete profile have a 40% better chance of being found when others search the site.
2. Use a photograph. If you are using a professional site, what’s the point of looking anonymous? While many people on LinkedIn don’t bother with photographs, you will get better results if you do. Furthermore, a picture that has been taken professionally will tend to make you look more professional. People will also be more likely to remember you, because they have seen what you look like. A photograph will also make you appear more trustworthy than a person whose image is blank.
3. Use a good headline. Most businesses create a mission statement and a short motto. At very least create a motto and use it as a persuasive headline that will make people choose you. For example, Kate King: I can help you grow your business.
4. Share your web site urls. There is no point in having a web site if you don’t use every opportunity to share it with potential customers and clients. LinkedIn allows you to list up to three urls and you can customize these by choosing the “Other” category when you are in the Edit Profile section of the site.
5. Show your testimonials. Whether you call them references, recommendations or simply feedback, testimonials go a long way to persuading people to choose your products or services. So don’t be shy to ask people who like what you have done to give you a written testimonial.
6. Add a video clip. On LinkedIn it is easy to add a video presentation, so take advantage of this option. All you have to do is go to Google Presentations which you will find under “More” in the toolbar which is at the top of your Profile page. Once you have added the video application you can simply follow their instructions on how to create a personal presentation.
7. Promote your skills and experience. Identify and define your skills and experience accurately. Use relevant keywords so that people can find you – like “writing” or “web design” – and make sure your grammar and spelling are correct. 
8. Write a summary that shows you are professional. A professional summary will be short and to-the-point to convince your potential customers and clients to use your services. Focus on what you can do for others as well as what they might be able to do for you. Also make a concise list of all your specialties that is easy to read. 
9. Stay involved. Once you have created a LinkedIn profile, use it. Update it regularly and communicate with anyone who bothers to communicate with you. 
10. Participate in groups. LinkedIn offers the opportunity for its members to join groups and become involved. Make the effort to get involved in discussion groups and to offer advice and support to other members.

The more effort you put into creating a professional profile on LinkedIn, the more you will benefit in the long run.

[author] [author_image timthumb='on']http://techwebpro.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/default-avatar.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]This is a Guest post by Neil Jones, who Specializes in launching ecommerce sites, he is currently plying his trade as head of marketing for eMobileScan. With 18 websites based all around Europe they are on course to be one of Europe’s largest online retailers of Industrial handheld computers and label printers like the ES400 or the Motorola MC65. Neil has been an online marketer for the past 6 years and in that time he has owned and run a range of sites all built around the ecommerce platform.[/author_info] [/author]

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Integrate LinkedIn Account with Microsoft Outlook

To start leveraging your professional network within Microsoft Outlook you need to download the latest version of the Outlook Social Connector from here. This download requires Outlook 2003, 2007 or 2010 to work. After installing the Outlook Social Connector, download the LinkedIn Outlook Connector and install it. Then restart the Microsoft Outlook and follow the instructions to connect your LinkedIn account to Outlook.

When it install completely, you will see a LinkedIn folder appear in your Outlook. This folder aggregates information from your LinkedIn account and your Outlook contacts. You can see these contacts in business card format. It includes the contact’s Title, Photo and e-mail address.

Integrate LinkedIn Account with Outlook

Access and Track Your Connection in Your Inbox

This feature allows you to see the latest LinkedIn activities and profile photo from any connections that send you an e-mail. You can tract the activities of your LinkedIn connections.

Send E-mails to you Connection from Outlook

It allows you to send e-mails to your LinkedIn connection directly from Outlook. Just type the name of your LinkedIn connections in Outlook’s “To:” box, Outlook will fill the e-mail id automatically.

Build your LinkedIn Professional Network

You can send an invitation to connect from any Outlook e-mail, just click on the green “Add” icon next to any email sender to invite to join your network.

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