You’re on LinkedIn – Now What?

Time Block, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3. You can get lost on LinkedIn – be disciplined, get in and then get out. Perform three daily tasks and you will be amazed at the activity it will generate!

1. Review & respond to messages/invites in your LinkedIn mailbox - Review invitations from folks that have asked you to become part of their network. Accept or decline. Did you know there is a little known feature on LinkedIn that allows you to ‘Reply (Don’t Accept Yet’) – this feature is found only when viewing invitations from the Message Center. If there is someone who has asked you to connect with them and you are unsure as to whether or not you want to include them as part of your network, you can use this feature to say something such as:
   
   “Thank you for asking me to connect with you on LinkedIn. Can you share with me how we know each other or why you would like to connect on LinkedIn?” If you don’t hear back from them then explaining how they can help you or you help them, you more than likely do not want to connect with them.
   
   As an advisor you can really stand out by sending a follow up note once someone accepts your invite or you have accepted theirs. After connecting with them send them a LinkedIn message and say something such as:
   
   When referring to a connection request you sent:
   “Hi Joe, thank you for accepting my LinkedIn invitation. If there is anything I can do for you please let me know. I look forward to chatting with you at some point. Best, Laura (insert phone number)”
   
   When referring to a connection request you received:
   “Hi Sima, thank you for asking me to connect on LinkedIn, I am happy to have you as part of my network. I look forward to chatting with you at some point. Best, Laura (insert phone number)”
       
2. Review the ‘Who’s Viewed Your Profile’ - if someone interesting has checked you out, you may want to in turn check them out. You can even send them a message:
   
   When viewed by someone you do not know:
   “Hi Jackie, it looks as though we share many common connections. Therefore I would love to make you part of my LinkedIn network and possibly grab coffee if you are open to it. Interested? Best, Laura (insert phone number)”
   When viewed by one of your connections:
   “Hi Sal, hope all is well in your world! I would love to catch up over coffee or lunch – are you available on Thursday? Best, Laura (insert phone number)”
      
3. Review Connections > ‘Keep in Touch’ - Each day make sure you are keeping in touch with those that mean something to you; clients, prospects, friends and family. LinkedIn enables you to differentiate yourself and show that you care. How? Through Connections > ‘Keep in Touch’ see video below as well as cheat sheet.

If you can’t access this YouTube video through your firm’s firewall, you can also check it out on my website lauravirili.com or view this from your mobile device.

Download the Printable Quick Reference Guide

 

LinkedIn works if you work it!

Be sure to check out the additional videos in this series on my YouTube Channel or directly from my site, LauraVirili.com, to learn how to Kill it Online & Off.