Feb 13
11

Overview of recent LinkedIn changes

LinkedIn_EX_new_397x200

As social networks continue to evolve and change, keeping up with all the innovations, additions, and deletions, can be a bit daunting at times. If anyone has tried to update their LinkedIn profile recently, a few changes are immediately noticeable.

LinkedIn rolled out some changes at the end of the 3rd quarter in 2012, others are still pending.

LinkedIn keeps changing things up and tinkering with features. Confusing? You bet.

If you want an optimized, more magnetic profile, please take a few minutes to review the changes, and bring your profile up to date.

Here is a review of what you need to know.

 

HOME PAGE –

Home activity feed is front and center for better visibility

Bigger is better, easier on the eyes, with larger images, logos, and profile photos.
A ‘LinkedIn Today recommends this news for you’ window has been added, with suggested news stories, scrollable, allows for selection of which stories to view.

A new “See new updates” button lists the new updates pending, and immediately to the right, there is an ‘All Updates’ drop-down menu that allows one to switch between ‘Top’ and ‘Recent’, and several other filter options

Engage with your network

Recent activity is now on the top of the profile, allowing you to stay current with what your network has been sharing and doing.

 

PROFILE PAGE -–

Photo, Name & Professional Headline stand out more

Profile photo is much larger

More visually appealing—so use a high quality photo to enhance your online image for personal branding and marketing.

Professional headline is more prominent

This becomes the first impression people have of you and what you do.  Choose your best, industry specific keywords wisely, to deliver your branding message within the 120-character limit.

Profile sections are easier to read and more interesting

Sections are more visually appealing with the addition of icons for each section header. Logos for companies where you have worked, and other organizations you include, create a much more impressive total branding picture.

Note: It is important to correctly identify the company or organization (as listed on their LinkedIn company page) or the logo will NOT attach to your profile.

New profile sections – complete your story and highlight your successes

The addition of new sections – Publications, Volunteer Experience & Causes, Causes You Care About, Organizations You Support, Certifications, Publications, Projects, Courses, Languages, Patents, and Test Scores allow you to offer a more complete story of your accomplishments.

Profile sections can be easily re-arranged in any order

Use the Up / Down arrow icon on the right of each profile section to Move the section UP or Down to the desired location.

Skills & Expertise

New endorsements feature provides better visibility of your skills and expertise— Be sure to list your most important skills.

Leverage this tool and reach out to those who know you, so you can get endorsed for them.

Recommendations

Are now embedded at the end of your experience entries with for better visibility and positioning. Image of person that recommended you is also included, which allows the recommendation to stand out better, for easier viewing.

Commonalities and interests are highlighted

While viewing someone’s profile, you can now see at a glance what you have in common–such as Skills, Groups, Interests, Location, Schools, Causes, Supported Organizations.

Additionally, you are looking at data points, which can help virtually connect you with that person and may possibly led to a dialogue with them, at some point.

LinkedIn is now providing you this information by showcasing your commonalities on a widget on the right hand side of every profile you visit.

Strategy:  The more interesting information you share on your profile that aligns with your brand and business strategy, the better chance that a reader will feel aligned with you–that’s always a good thing. You might consider adding keywords that will hopefully create commonalities with those that you want to attract to your profile – and reach out to you as a result.

 ** Applications have changed or been removed

LinkedIn Applications are being replaced with a new feature that lets you add media links to images, presentations, videos, and documents on your profile.  Not everything will be available or function the same way going forward.

You can click below to see how to access and display content for some of those applications:

  • SlideShare Presentations by SlideShare
  • WordPress by Automatic
  • Box Files by Box
  • Amazon Reading List by Amazon

More information - http://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/34326

 

Additional references used for this review:

New LinkedIn Profile Changes Made Easy

8 Creative Tips to Help You Maximize Your New LinkedIn Personal Profile Page for 2013

 

- Daulton West, Jr. , aka “DWestJr” on Twitter

Click here to view this article on The Examiner, or for the latest social media news, tools, & tips,  click Richmond Social Media Examiner to get the complete list of all my published articles.

Posted in LinkedIn The "Power Trio" (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook) by Daulton West. Comments Off

Sep 12
5

LinkedIn best practice tips: to connect or not?

LinkedIn invite to connect
As Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social networks continue to evolve, it’s hard to keep track of all the changes taking place.

I’m sure many have noticed recent LinkedIn changes in the Home page layout.

Another change that took place over the past few months, although not as noticeable, makes it much easier now to “personalize” the “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.” connection request message.

This article is intended for both those new to LinkedIn and the experienced user that may not be aware of this much needed change that now allows one to “edit” the connect message PRIOR to sending it.

There are three basic ways to connect on LinkedIn:

  • Home page – People you may know + Connect button
  • People Search – Profile Connect button
  • Someone is now connected to person’s name – select name & hit connect button

Prior to this change taking place, if you responded to the People you may know + Connect button, the standard message, “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.” was sent automatically, before one was given the chance to edit the message. The only way to edit and personalize a connect message prior to sending was the People Search – Profile Connect button.

LinkedIn has addressed this glitch, and has now made it much easier to “personalize” a connect message, no matter which method is used to submit a connection request.

There are different philosophies on whether people choose to / not to connect:

  • Some are LIONs (LinkedIn Open Networkers) who will accept and encourage network connections with anyone
  • Some refuse connection requests from anyone they do NOT know personally
  • Others may connect with 2nd degree contacts (friend of a friend), or if the person shares some common interests, or if the connection may be mutually beneficial, possibly at a later date
  • Some absolutely REFUSE to connect with anyone who sends them the generic, non-personal, “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn” request

Best practice tips:

Think BEFORE you send – ask yourself “so what?”

Thinking “so what” at the end of a message is a good test to pre-qualify whether the message may have value (for someone other than you), whether the message is personal or not, and whether that person may agree to connect with you.

Think BEFORE you connect

Decide on the type of connections you want to pursue. People who share similar industry experience, club and organizational interests, career networking groups, civic groups, etc. may become strong connections. Pursuing professional connections – industry leaders and those with similar career interests may provide valuable content worthy of sharing, and increase the size of one’s network. Connecting with too many people with little or no common interests runs the risk of receiving messages of little value to you, and you may even get “information overload” – too many messages too frequently.

- From Best practices tip: post high value messages to build your brand October 11, 2009 Richmond Social Media Examiner article.

Prior to LinkedIn adding the ability to “edit & personalize” all connect requests prior to sending, some people may have been more forgiving and would still accept standard connection requests without a “personal” message included.

Best practice tip:
Always include a personal message with any connection request — the chances greatly improve that your request will be accepted.

If you don’t know someone, or maybe only met them once, would you approach them on the street and ask to be added / add them to your address book with no other explanation?

A personal message is always better and shows proper etiquette.

Examples:

Hi Jason,
Saw your profile. I’m looking for connections in the area and would like to learn more about your position at Hampden-Sydney College. I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn. Thanks in advance.

or

Hi Bill,
I believe I met you a while back at the Employment Transition Ctr, or was introduced to you by Charlie Wood. I am interested in learning more about your Longwood connections.
I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn. Thanks

The famous line by Col. Nathan R. Jessup (aka Jack Nicholson) from A Few Good Men seems to have it covered. “You have to ask me nicely.”

- Daulton West, Jr. , aka “DWestJr” on Twitter

To view Examiner article, go to LinkedIn best practice tips: to connect or not?
For more more social media news, views, tools, & tips, check out Richmond Social Media Examiner

Other articles that may be of interest:

5 best practice tips: use social media to engage, not enrage followers
6 social media marketing tips for e-Commerce
Companies use social media to boost e-Commerce sales
Do you need a social media champion?

Posted in Best Practices LinkedIn The "Power Trio" (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook) by Daulton West. Comments Off

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