Kathy Steele, VP and Creative Director of Desert Rose Design, presents how you can use LinkedIn to better grow your brand and your business.

3. Tactics (Your Profile - Put Your Best Face Forward) Tip: Using a professional photo will give you more credibility.

4. Tactics (Your Profile) Add a Headline That Will Draw Attention Add a Geographic Area You Serve Build Your Connections Create a Vanity URL Tip: A completed profile will help market you and your company. Update Your Status Personalize Websites

5. Tactics (Your Profile - Summary) Be Creative & Interesting • This is your elevator speech • Sprinkle your summary with search terms Add Specialties • People search for this Tip: The more specialties you list, the better chance you have of being found.

6. Tactics (Your Profile - Applications) Tip: Use applications to boost brand awareness.

7. Tactics (Your Profile - Groups) Tip: Joining groups increases your connections. Join Groups • Local Networking • Industry Related • Your Customers are In • Your Competitors • You Add/Receive Value

8. Tactics (Your Profile - Awards) Tip: Plug yourself and your business

9. Tactics (Great Profiles) Search People Borrow Ideas Search Competitors Fine-tune Your Keywords Tip: When updating your profile, search competitors in your industry.

10. Tactics What’s Next? • Monitor, update and regularly improve your online reputation • Accept any invitations that make sense • When collecting business cards at networking events, invite them to connect with you on LinkedIn • Pre-connect before attending events • Use InMail vs. eMail Tip: The more involved you become, the more visibility you’ll gain.

11. Tactics What’s Next? Tip: Keep your profile current to accurately promote yourself. • Add your LinkedIn public profile URL to your email signature • Drop into Q&A or Groups and see if you can volunteer answers • Select 3 people in your network and write them a recommendation with detailed characteristics and specific achievements

12. Tactics What’s Next? Tip: Keep your profile current to accurately promote yourself. • Add any relevant slide decks to the SlideShare application or add books to the Amazon bookshelf • Use the company profiles search • Advertise events or promotions to your fellow group members

13. Questions