Linkedin Tip #3 – How to use Tags

I thought I would give you all a heads up on the new connections function that now allows you to sort your connections by tags in up to 200 different ways!

To assign these “tags” first go to edit profile and click on your connections. You must be in edit or the view will not be the same!

• 3 columns will appear
• Click on manage tags and set some up such as Prospects, Auckland, Clients etc
• Click on tag categories and your contacts pictures will appear
• Click on your contacts name in the middle column
• Click on edit tags in the right column and assign a tag to your connection
• When you want to send a message to a group of people, just click on the tag title in the left column, and hit send message in the right column

Hey presto, you can now filter your connections and see a picture of them at the same time.

Remember, as you can only send a message to 50 of your connections at any one time, so try to keep each tag to no more than 50. If you go over, you will have to use the original method of sending a message.

This post was written by Linda Coles.

Linkedin Tip #2 – Use Apps to enhance your profile

Linkedin is my online CV!

Yep. It can be. Linkedin allows you to post a cover letter, your education, and work experience. Obviously your name, profession and industry. As far as I’m concerned, this is where the similarities end.

One of the biggest differences between Linkedin and your CV, is the ability to add Apps.

Apps – Applications. In Linkedin, Apps mean 3rd party applications (not part of Linkedin offering) which can be inserted into one’s profile.

Why use apps?

1. For experienced users, after a while, profiles look boring. Adding apps will differentiate your profile, and help you stand out.

2. Updating your Apps on a regular basis, will come up on your network updates. Why is that important? Your network needs to remember you’re around. Updating your status too often will look like blatant advertising. Updating your Apps is more subtle…

3. Some apps will help your build online credibility:
Amazon – the quality of your ongoing informal education.
Slideshare – the quality of your knowledge and presentation (creation) skills.
Blogs – will update your network about your newest blog post, without having to subscribe to your blog.

Here is a list of available apps on Linkedin:

1.Box.net lets you share content on your profile, and collaborate with friends and colleagues.

2.The Polls application is a market research tool that allows you to collect actionable data from your connections and the professional audience on LinkedIn.

3.Amazon – Extend your professional profile by sharing the books you’re reading with other LinkedIn members. Find out what you should be reading by following updates from your connections, people in your field, or other LinkedIn members of professional interest to you.

4.SlideShare is the best way to share presentations on LinkedIn! You can upload & display your own presentations, check out presentations from your colleagues, and find experts within your network.

5.With the WordPress App, you can sync your WordPress blog posts with your LinkedIn profile, keeping everyone you know in the know.

6.With Blog Link, you can get the most of your LinkedIn relationships by connecting your blog to your LinkedIn profile. It also allows you to see your connections’ blog updates.

7. Trip it – see where your LinkedIn network is travelling and when you will be in the same city as your colleagues. Share your upcoming trips, current location, and travel stats with your network.

8. Ever wonder what people are saying about your company? Company Buzz shows you the twitter activity associated with your company. View tweets, trends and top key words. Customize your topics and share with your co-workers.

Which apps do you use? What are the benefits you see in using apps?

Looking for ROI in Social Media?

I’ve heard it time and time again:

Why do I need to use Social Media in my business? I heard there’s no ROI!

Watching this video below, I’ve learned an interesting answer I can use:

“What’s the ROI of your phone?”

If you’re not using social media for your business, you will after watching this… it’s a no brainer!

Online presence – There is Life after Death…

Image by Will Lion via Flickr

What would happen to our online presence, after we pass away?

I’ve been a big advocate of creating an effective online presence, to help you succeed in this world. Still am.

Recently I came across a discussion  -

what would happen to all our stuff online, after we die?

Part of the reason this discussion is important,  is the Internet provides a place for people to express thoughts and feelings as they grieve a loss. Your social networking profile could become a spot where your friends and family can share memories of you. People who might not otherwise hear of your passing may learn of it through your profile page.

On the other hand, Mean-spirited people — called trolls in the online world — might take the opportunity to leave insulting or inflammatory comments on your page just to stir up trouble. Who guards your profile after you’re gone? Can someone request access to your accounts to act as custodian to your online presence?

different networking sites will handle it differently, yet there are ways to be prepared:

One thing you can do is designate someone to be in charge of your online accounts after you die. You’ll need to create a list of your user names and passwords and put it in a safe place. A few companies will store that information for you, usually for a fee.

You don’t have to rely on a third party if you prefer to maintain your own list of login information. In fact, there are several ways to encrypt your data, and you could give the decryption key to people you trust. You could also designate an executor to your online property in your will.

There a few issues to be dealt with, such as “can I retrieve a message sent to someone who passed away”, or “who owns my information after my death”, which the social networking sites have yet to address.

As more and more people use Social Networking to share photos, videos and documents, these questions are becoming more and more relevant.

Does that worry you?

Please Rob Me!

How appropriate – my last post was about the great things you can do with the right privacy settings on your social networks.  (A Canadian woman lost her Canadian drivers licence in a bus stop in Sydney, Australia, and I was able to find her and get the DL back in her hands within 12 hours, using information on Google, and Facebook.)

This post shows the other side of privacy, or the danger of putting your details out there. I suppose every coin has two sides. There are people who can find the worst and the negative in everything. We just need to be mindful, that what we do can be used for Good or Evil. That’s all.

To illustrate, today I had a call from a reporter from NineMSN asking about my opinion of a website called PleaseRobMe.com.  (not linked on purpose), where 3 guys in the Netherlands, joined twitter search and Foursquare information, and to get provide “job openings” for robbers!

NineMSN did a story, as media companies do, aggregating the negative effect of the “service”.

I was quoted in the article saying :”It worries me that it’s me listed on the site without my consent,”. Actually – it doesn’t. That’s what comes with publicity – things can be taken out of context, can be used for showcasing positive or negative outcome, as the user pleases.

I’m not scared of being robbed, whilst having coffee. If I did, I would never leave the house! I see Foursquare, and similar services for the good they provide to the business community, and to consumers – providing a source of reliable information (who can you rely on the most, if not your friends?) about the quality of products and services in my area (or places I visit).

As a freelance marketing consultant, I WANT to be found! Potential customers can find me, and if they google my name, they’ll find things I have been involved with, my articles, my clients, my charity work, and my social /business networks. My home address is not listed on any of my social networks, but my business contact details are! That’s how NineMSN found me!
BTW, NineMSN researcher/reporter typed in “Darlinghurst” in the search box, and my name came up. I work in the area (within 10Km) but not necessarily live there!

Did you have a positive or negative experience with having strong online presence?