Adding Connections or Signing In: Don’t be fooled. You may already be signed in but it looks like you haven’t because it is asking for your password and your email address is right in front of you (look at the top right, do you see your name? If yes, then you are signed in). This is most likely asking for your actual email password so it can import your email addresses into LinkedIn. You can do this and there is nothing wrong with doing so. Please avoid sending requests to people NOT already on LinkedIn. LinkedIn has been around for awhile so they have probably been sent requests already. Read carefully before clicking.
Headline: It is Search Engine friendly so fill it full of juicy words that are important for being found easily. To do this, sign in. HOVER over “Profile” click on “edit profile” Next to your bolded name, click “edit”. Go to “Professional “Headline”: ” and make your changes. Make sure you save your changes.
Your LinkedIn URL: Editing this is great because you can tell someone quickly how to find you. It also makes it easier to remember, and is great for putting on your business card and other PRINT items. To do this, HOVER over “Profile” click on “edit profile”. A little below your profile photo, in a tiny font is your LinkedIn URL. Click Edit next to that URL. Look for “Your public profile URL” and then click on “Customize your public profile URL”. Type something simple and easy to remember. You will know if it isn’t already used if you see a green check mark show up to the right of the name you just typed.
Profile Settings: There are two different places to edit your profile settings. One is near where you changed your LinkedIn URL. To get to the other location, hover over your name in the top right, then click on “Settings”. Read carefully and set your settings however you feel comfortable.
Updates: How often should you update? That is entirely up to you. I say less than Facebook. LinkedIn is the business, networking version of Facebook. Do NOT write about pets, kids, laundry, dinner outings (unless this is a business, networking dinner), etc. Business, business, business!! Do you have a new product? Simply connecting with people is considered an update!!
Completing Your Profile: LinkedIn really wants to you complete your profile. It is up to YOU as too how much information you want to have posted. If you DON’T want to tell people where you went to high school, don’t!! It will try to pressure you, but don’t do it if you aren’t comfortable doing so.
Creating a Business Page: To create a business page, go to www.linkedin.com/company/add/show. Note to create this page, you need to have an email account attached to your website. Example: my website is www.petreydish.com and my email is [email protected]. This works. Www.goldenswanchocolate.com and [email protected] will work. This will not work: www.expressautocenterinc.com with the email [email protected]. See the difference? Going to the link above will give you step by step instructions that will walk you through the process.
