LinkedIn: 4 tips to get started

This post is in response to some friends looking for “What next” after accepting an invitation to join LinkedIn. I am sure that many people are much smart than me about this topic. But I have included some suggestions that seems to work for me. If you have better ideas, please comment and let us know. You can also connect to me through www.LinkedIn.com/in/marypat.

On LinkedIn, the primary purpose is to build a network to communicate with. It is more professional than some of the other social networking sites. Here are the steps that I have found to work:

1. Invite my firends to join. I only invited people who know me well and I included a personal message to each. I let them know that I am using this as a resource to stay better-connected to my friends and business associates.

2. Connect with all my friends who are already using LinkedIn. This can be accomplished through the “invite” process. It should give you the option when you are searching.

3. Ask appropriate questions to my connections about information that would like to learn more about. YOu can view the questions that I have posted for more ideas.

4. Post answers responding to other people’s questions. This builds your credibility and promotes you as the instant expert in this arena.

This medium is generally low-sales and does not typically respond to any sales pitch. But it can be used to gather valuable information and build great relationships.

Play around a bit and get a feel for the environment. Each of the social networking sites has a unique atmosphere.

Goodluck!

Word of Mouth marketing

Word of mouth marketing! That’s what we all want. So I went to hear Andy Sernovitz speak last night. He had a great presentation about the different types of “word of mouth” marketing and the psychological reasons that people spread the word about different products and services.

But what really caught my attention was his comment about his blog. Andy loves to blog. But mostly it’s about marketing./ A few months ago, he decided, off the cuff, to create a video of how he cooks eggs in the microwave and post this on his blog. A side note is that he thinks he is a great microwave, egg-cooker. Now he may be. Turns out that this little blog posting which has NOTHING to do with anything much, has received more attention than the rest of his blog.

But back to the story here. I thought, “what a great little insight into his personal life.” After the event, I was standing near him as he was talking to another guest about this ironic blog post. In fact, he even stated that he would love to repeat the traffic, but it was “just a fluke.”

This is where my opinions come flying out of me. Actually, I held it in so as not to argue with the “expert”. And now here goes: It was absolutely NOT a fluke, Andy! Let me share with you WHY that post was so popular.

All of Andy’s blog posts are about business. While his style and personality shine through, they are still business.
Andy has developed quite a following over the years as a marketing strategist and people like to hear what he has to say.
Andy decided to share something that was more personal than just marketing info-how to cook eggs in the mike because he does it so well.
His audience came crashing at him with comments about this VIDEO that showed a glimpse in to his personal life.

2 Key things happened here: 1. he used a video which captures peoples attention on a different level than just copy. 2. He shared something personal. Not too personal, but enough so that his followers connected with him on a deeper level.

So why am I ranting about this to you? Well, because my Private JV Training promotion is ending tomorrow night at midnight and this is one of the components of our training: getting others to talk about you and promote you!

Since my previous email was so long (what’s up with my aversion to writing, and then writing a 5 page email???), here are the details of the promotion:

http://www.queenofmarketing.com/christmasgift

Yes, I have posted the information online, but only for you. I am not continuing this campaign and I am only offering it to the first 6 qualified applicants.

Don’t forget to access your complimentary JaneOutoftheBox.com membership. Details are at the bottom of the page.

Go to http://www.queenofmarketing.com/christmasgift for your free gift from me AND more information about this great offer where I train YOU, privately to create more profitable JV’s and strategic partnerships!

Again, this system is the same system that one of my clients made over $40K from just one of these relationships!

So scroll down to the meat of the web page and check out the 6 deliverables you get to start turning your relationships into $40K a piece, win-win-win relationships!

To our success!

MaryPat Kavanagh
President and Expert Relationship Strategist

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Strategic Results Marketing, LLC
(801) 649-3751
Your Queen of Connections: Creating Winning Strategic Partnerships!
Sign up for Royal Proclamations
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PS. Please remember, this offer is not a public offer. It is only to my private list AND it includes PRIVATE consulting with you, not group. So make sure you are one of the first 6!

My Special Gift To You!

PPS. Don’t miss out on the great offer to enjoy the Jane community for three months. Check out the site at Jane Out of the Box and then let me know you want the special code for your complimentary 3 month membership!

PPPS. Your special gift is NOT contingent on participation in MY offer on the web page. If you are a female entrepreneur or you do business with female entrepreneurs, you must take advantage of this.

MaryPat Kavanagh
Strategic Results Marketing, LLC
(801) 649-3751
marypat@queenofmarketing.com
www.QueenofMarketing.com