Social Networking in 10 Minutes a Day: Is it really possible?
Use these tips to quickly review and manage your LinkedIn profile and extend your online networking.
By Amy Hoppenrath
When you consider that it can take about 20 “touches” to turn a prospect into a client, it’s easy to see how to integrate social networking with your traditional networking efforts to accelerate the process. To be successful, you have to use LinkedIn consistently. Set a goal to spend 10 minutes a day on your social networking efforts.
LinkedIn in 10 minutes a day? Is it really possible? Absolutely. Here are a few tips:
Start Fast
Set LinkedIn as the homepage on your Internet browser and have it remember your password. That way when you open your browser, LinkedIn immediately opens, making it easy for you to scan your home page.
Check Your In-box
Respond to any invitations, in-mails or introductions you may have. This is also a good opportunity to build trust and develop relationships. Whenever possible look for ways to respond with a personal note. You may want to address something in the person’s profile or even invite the sender to meet for coffee, lunch, etc.
Check Status Updates and Respond
There are three ways to respond: 1) Leave a public comment, 2) respond privately or 3) respond offline via e-mail, phone or even snail mail. Status updates are a great opportunity to learn what your contacts are doing and provide a forum for you to initiate a dialogue or reach out to help them accomplish their business goals.
Increase Your Connections
Take the time to expand your network and increase your connections by:
- Viewing who your connections have added as their connections. Is there anyone that you should connect with? If you know them, connect with them directly. If not, request an introduction.
- Check out the section listing past classmates and colleagues who have recently joined LinkedIn.
- Review the “people you may know” section where LinkedIn offers connection suggestions.
Change Your Status
This is one of the most critical social media strategies you can use immediately to build relationships while establishing credibility. Here are a few ideas on how to use your status bar:
- Offer information by linking to an informative article. (Hint: www.tinyurl.com will help condense long Web addresses.)
- Need a resource? Ask your network.
- Compliment a colleague or referral source who has exceeded expectations.
A word of warning: Do not use the status bar to share trite information or overly promote yourself and your company’s services.
Check Groups and Events
Quickly review your group updates and event invitations. Is there anything you should comment on or respond to?
Consistency is the key to your social networking success. As with traditional networking, it takes time and commitment to build relationships and trust. Commit 10 minutes a day to LinkedIn and you’ll build your online brand, generate leads and attract more clients.
Amy Hoppenrath is president of AH Marketing. Her expertise is in working with business-to-business and service professionals. She is an advocate of social networking and is helping professionals better understand how to capture the power of social networking through LinkedIn Training. Amy is also the author of 100 LinkedIn Tips in 100 Days - Click here to register.
