The Power Of Linkedin Status Updates


by Ian Brodie - Date: 2010-03-17 - Word Count: 417 Share This!

Linkedin is without a doubt the most effective online business development tool for professionals. With over 60 million users, it's a veritable who's who of the business world.

Most professionals have "got the hang" of the basics of Linkedin. they've learnt to create client focused profiles (as opposed to the online CVs many started with). And they know how to connect with new people and ask for referrals. But most still underuse some of the more obscure features of Linkedin. One of these is the status update.

You can use status updates in a couple of ways to help grow your relationships with contacts and establish new ones.

The first is in the way you use your own status updates. you can use your own status updates. Because the services of most professionals aren't needed all the time by their clients, it's vital they keep prominent in their clients minds so that they're the first person they call when their service is needed. Constantly emailing or calling can seem too pushy - but a Linkedin status update can prove a gentle reminder of what you do.

Depending on their settings, Linkedin users get a regular email with a summary of "network updates". This includes who has connected to who, who has changed their profile, and what status updates people have made. If your status update is interesting and stands out, it can catch the attention of potential clients. Don't overtly sell, but subtly remind people of your capabilities. For example: "Ian is worn out after running a seminar on selling skills - great audience and great feedback".

You can also usefully use the status updates of your contacts.

When your contacts make status updates, it's more often than not about something important to them - even if it might seem trivial to you. This can be a chance to establish contact - either by replying to the status update or sending them a direct message. This can lead to deeper engagement, and can reignite a relationship that had become dormant.

A particular update to look out for is when your contacts make new connections. Check to see if that connection would be a good contact for you too. If so, there's no better time to ask for an introduction than when their conversation is still live - rather than weeks or months later when they may have fallen out of touch.

So use status updates well - both your and your contacts - and although it probably won't completely change your world - it could well bring you in some nice new business.

Related Tags: marketing, networking, social networking, linkedin

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