"Leveraging Linkedin 101" is the first of three presentations in the series, providing tips for maximizing Linkedin for business networking and success. This is the beginner's - the place to start with Linkedin - ten top tips for the Linkedin novice. Erik Steiner has been on Linkedin almost from the get-go, joining several days after the site went live in 2003. #linkedin

1. Leveraging Linkedin 101
Top 10 Tips for Beginners

2. 1. Add a fitting photo.
Select a photograph that represents you
well. Note how this photo conveys business,
relaxation and academic background in one
well selected shot. Usually members select a
formal corporate headshot.
But - Doesn’t have to be a corporate
headshot; shouldn’t be rowdy but doesn’t
have to be constrained, unless you are.
For examples of terrible photos see:
http://bit.ly/terrible_linkedin_photos

3. 2. Write a stellar elevator
pitch
Your summary is your elevator pitch.
Make it concise, write it well, make sure not
to leave anything important out.

4. 3. Make connections
The value of your network is directly
proportional to the number of connections
you make – up to a point. Irrelevant
connections are useless.
So - try to keep connections relevant –
either people you know, or people with
whom you have relevant things in common.

5. 4. Complete your profile
The value of your network is directly
proportional to the number of connections
you make – up to a point. Irrelevant
connections are useless.
So - try to keep connections relevant –
either people you know, or people with
whom you have relevant things in common.

6. 5. Keep profile up to date
Your life evolves, make sure your Linkedin
profile evolves with it.
Keep your job description up to date, don’t
let your profile go stale.

7. 6. Maintain professionalism
Can’t stress this enough. Your Linkedin
profile is how you present yourself to the
world.
Make sure to spellcheck, avoid typos, watch
your grammar, complete your sentences,
pay attention to details!

8. 7. Promote your profile
Now that you have a Linkedin profile, you’ll
want to make sure the world knows about it.
Use every conceivable medium to promote
your Linkedin profile, from your business
card to your email signature to your twitter
page, blogs you write, comments you post
online and so forth.

9. 8. Join groups
Linkedin groups provide multiple benefits.
They provide an opportunity to easily meet
many other people with relevant common
interests, to connect with them and to stay
abreast of developments in your market
space and fields of interest.

10. 9. Create a company page
If you’ve paged this far, you obviously
understand that your Linkedin page is an
integral part of your personal brand.
Same goes for your company. Few
companies that respect themselves and
want to create a presence either in the US
or globally don’t have a company page. If it’s
your company, well get to it – and if it’s not,
talk to the people who can make it happen.

11. 10. Solicit recommendations
Ok, so we’ve read what you’ve done and
what you think of yourself.
Soliciting recommendations is not
particularly pleasant – for most people
anyway – but it is vitally important.
Bolstering your image with 3rd party
opinions of your performance is essential to
creating the kind of image you want to
project to the world.

12. Leveraging Linkedin for Beginners
Top Ten Tips - Summary
1. Select a representative photo – we want to know you!
2. Write a great summary – an “elevator pitch”
3. Make connections - increase your visibility
4. Complete your profile
5. Keep your profile up to date
6. Maintain professionalism: spellcheck, no typos, etc.
7. Promote your Linkedin profile
8. Join groups
9. Create a company page
10. Solicit recommendations

13. This presentation was strung together by
Erik Steiner.
I’d signed up for Linkedin days after it
went live in 2003. Have been less and
more active over the years, but lately it
has become the global go-to
destination for business networking,
and I’ve leveraged Linkedin several
times to create important connections,
nurture and close deals. Have wanted
to put some of these notes together for
years – so I’m glad to have finally done
it!
Comments? erik at steiner.co.il
Most of my ramblings online
are on the subject of failure.
Please check out:
Twitter stnr_on_failure
Pinterest Anatomy of failure
Linkedin Anatomy of failure
Blog Steiner on Failure
To connect:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/eriksteiner
All text © 2013 Erik Steiner. Images from various sources. Linkedin logo property and © Linkedin.