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Please indulge me.  I’m going to write yet another post about Linked In.  If you were hoping on my take on the Super Bowl, American Idol or the Cleveland Cavaliers (gagging), you’ll have to wait.It’s been a joy to see the surge of title and mortgage executives and professionals streaming into the world of social media, primarily via LinkedIn.  And, as I noted only a few weeks ago, many are doing more than dipping their toes in the water.  I see a number of valid and effective social media strategies playing out in the community, and I applaud these relatively-early adopters.

And yet, I sense that many are still reluctant to get started, or aren’t sure where to go next.  So, in addition to checking out my previous LinkedIn suggestions here, here and here, let’s talk a little about a few things you may not realize you can do with LinkedIn.

Now, this is not a posting for social media Gurus, Evangelists, Think-Tanks, Champions, Consultants, Ninjas or Jedi Masters.  This is a 101-level course.  And each trick or tactic is not necessarily one that everyone should use.  Remember, social media remains the Wild, Wild West.  Common sense and innovation rule.  Just remember, you have (or should have) a community of peers, prospects and partners seeking to share with you.  Not just cuddly thoughts and strolls on moonlit beaches, but business and information.  And they expect to receive the same from you.  There’s no value in “lurking” on LinkedIn.   So, with that in mind, get active, and keep these things in mind:

Your status—It’s not just what you had for dinner.      By now, you’ve noticed that each time you log on to LinkedIn, you’ll see a dashboard of activity by your contacts.  Each and every status change puts that contact in front of you.  Never mind what he/she did.  For a few seconds, his/her name is on your mind.  So why don’t people change their status (or, for some, USE their status) even once in awhile?  In the old days, you sent clips and notes to the prospect to stay in front of them.  Now, all you have to do is tell folks what you are doing.  Please try not to make it too banal.  Don’t share your lunch plans (there IS such a thing as negative branding). Maybe even provide some value.  DON’T provide your phone number or product specs.  Do tell them what you’d tell them you’re up to if you saw them in the elevator.  Voila!  Top of mind awareness.

The more, the merrier.      This one’s simple.  Your status gets you in front of people you know.  Contributions to a relevant group get you in front of those you don’t, and establish (or debunk) your expertise.  Want to be a trusted advisor on the road to winning a client?  Give folks a taste of what you know in an industry group.  Oh, and participate.  No one said that the only way to be relevant was to offer up your P&L.  You can contribute without giving away the source code.

Be the Pied Piper.        Don’t like the group you’re in?  Like it, but wish it was more about the area in which YOUR product dwells?  Start your own.  Now, this is not an invitation to use a group solely to batter your membership with all the things your product does (you won’t have too many participants if you do).  But it does put you front and center in front of the relevant segment of your market, and turns you into a “connector.”  Keep the conversation relevant, and pipe up once in awhile, and you may just find people calling to ask what it is that YOU do for a living.  Think about it:  ever host a CE session for Realtors or your target group…?  This is cheaper.

If you don’t have the answer, ask a question.  This applies in groups and in the Q&A section of LinkedIn.  Another great way to establish your credentials and get you in front of prospects you didn’t know existed.

Is there anybody out there?     Of course, social networking doesn’t really work if you don’t have a network, right?  Take 5 minutes a day.  Take an hour on the weekend.  Take a few moments waiting for your plane (if you fly Delta, take the afternoon awaiting a replacement flight) with your smart phone.  Chances are, you know people.  If you know them, invite them.  Visit your connections’ connections.  Invite the ones you know.  Remember, it’s not a race.  This isn’t Twitter.  The first to a million gets….well, nothing really. I highly advise actually KNOWING people you invite (some just collect high-contact members).  But do it.  The bigger your network, the more options become available to you on Linked In.

Thoughts?  Questions?  Objections?  Have a good joke? I welcome them! Contact me at Brian@TrueImpactCommunications.com.