Tag: LinkedIn Prospecting

#GetOrganized – Take Action with Prospecting on LinkedIn

No matter what your business is, the people you connect with are the key to your success. Those connections are the key to sales, operations, and how you get your work done. No doubt you have lots of ways to keep in touch—phone, in person, social media, email. But what about making new connections?

Those methods are all effective when it comes to your existing contacts. But what about finding new prospects?  You probably already network, ask for referrals, and maybe even advertise. But are you using LinkedIn to find prospects?

LinkedIn is well known as a great place to find a job, connect with colleagues, and keep up with what’s going on in your industry. What you might not know, however, is that one of LinkedIn’s newest tools, the Sales Navigator, is a powerful platform that can help you uncover potential sales prospects.

Why Should You Be Using LinkedIn?

The true value of LinkedIn is that it gives you access to millions of professional people just like you. That’s a pretty good size social network. Maybe even too big since it can be hard to know where to start. That’s where Navigator comes in. Using Navigator you can narrow down your potential contacts to those with whom you have something in common or mutual business interests. Whether that is decision makers, influencers, potential partners, or buyers, you’ll be able to reach out and make contact. Once you’ve found your target,it will be up to you to make the sale.

Using LinkedIn For Research

As valuable as LinkedIn is for connecting with others, it isarguably even more helpful when it comes to research. Using Navigator, you and your sales team can learn more about those you come in contact with – what are they talking about, what are they sharing, who do they follow. By taking advantage of this powerful capability, you can ensure that your connections are more meaningful and substantive.

One thing that you need to know is that LinkedIn Sales Navigator is a premium service and is not free. Exactly how much it costs depends on the type of membership, but you can expect somewhere between $75-$100. Is it worth it? Only you can make that decision. Your best bet is to take advantage of a free trial or sign-up for a short period and put it through its paces. If you take advantage of all the tool has to offer, chances are you’ll be hooked. Before you know it, your sales calls will be more focused, your network larger, and your relationships deeper. With all that, increased sales will be the icing on the cake.

Be sure to Follow us and Let’s Engage!

Hollie Clere of The Social Media Advisor is a “#BeAwesome” Developer, Social Media, Brand Builder, Content Manager, Trainer and Author in LinkedInFacebookTwitterBlogGoogle+YouTubePinterestInstagram and the tools to manage them.

Click here for Social Media TrainingSpeaking and Strategy Consultations.

Forget Me Not – Reconnecting with People Online

The next chapter of our #KeystoKindness series this month covers reconnecting with people online. This is especially true for past clients, colleagues, co-workers, and networks that you might not have thought of in awhile. While social media is all about connecting, having conversations and engagement online, the focus tends to be on making new relationships instead of strengthening those you already have.
The main benefit of reconnection is building on a foundationthat is already established. They already know, and most likely trust, you and what you do. We all get busy and get lost in our own tunnel vision. Taking a moment to remind them that you are around and are thinking of them is a great way to reopen communication channels. From there, both parties are welcome to collaborate, brainstorm or share information.
How to Approach Reconnecting
It may feel awkward to say hello to someone you haven’t thought of in awhile. It doesn’t have to elaborate, opening with something simple works just fine. Try one of these:
“Hey there! I was just thinking of you and wondering how your business was doing?”
“Hello! I’m working on this new project and thought it would be great to get your input on it. I’ve always valued your opinion.”
“I saw this article online and it looked right up your alley. Figured I would share and see how you are doing?”
Where to Reconnect
Sure, you can just shoot people an email or a text to reconnect. There’s nothing wrong with that approach at all. However, consider using your social media platforms instead. For one, everyone is looking for more authentic engagement on his or her online platforms. Besides, a side benefit could be that other people view or even participate in the conversation.
Facebook
Share a link to a website, blog, or article that might be interesting to the person. Like some of their posts. Comment on their shares. Make sure to leave a personal note. Ask them a question to encourage them to respond.  
LinkedIn
The good thing is this site is built for connecting. Go through your connections and send people a message. Leave a recommendation or endorsements. Often they will be grateful for the time you spent and message you expressing gratitude. Perhaps they will even reciprocate on your profile. Spend some time looking at the prompts the website offers for reconnecting – congratulation people on their new jobs, promotions or work anniversaries.
Twitter
Twitter has perfected the art of the short conversation. If you use Twitter, get on there and start retweeting, favoriting, and mentioning people you haven’t spoken to in a while. Find creative ways to spark their interest and build your own engaging conversations.
There are other ways to reconnect as well. Know any bloggers? Go read their latest blog post and post a comment. Engage and interact with people you know on forums, community groups, and websites. Pull up a list of people you network with and send them something valuable or interesting.
Challenge yourself to take some time this week to drop a line with some people you haven’t talked to for a bit. It establishes more presence for you online and you never know what kind of benefits might come from engaging others. Keep expressing gratitude, counting your blessings, and sharing kindness.

This is just one of the ways to #BeAwesome this November. Keep an eye out for more of our #KeystoKindness later this month.

~ Social Media is changing the way people do business.  Don’t get left behind ~ 


https://thesocialmediaadvisor.com/


Be sure to Follow us and Let’s Engage!

Hollie Clere, of The Social Media Advisor is a “#BeAwesome” Developer, Social Media Brand Builder, Content Manager, Trainer and Author in LinkedIn,FacebookTwitterBlogGoogle+ , YouTube,Pinterest, Instagram  and the tools to manage them. 

Click here for her Social Media Workshops, Classes and Seminars.

3 Tips on the Best Ways to Build Your LinkedIn Network

https://thesocialmediaadvisor.com

Have you ever found yourself asking this question?  “I receive connection requests on LinkedIn and I don’t know what to do with them …”

There are many strategies available to you for building a successful business using LinkedIn.  Let’s start with the Top 3 basics:

The purpose of a Social Network is to first (1) BE SOCIAL and second (3) NETWORK

Be bold with your self in LinkedIn.  Define for yourself the types of individuals, industries and connections you would like to (and prefer not to connect to) on LinkedIn.  This could be as simple as defining a region, interest, company or profession that you are open to connect with.  This could also be as vast as determining states, countries and languages you are open to connect with.  Establish your boundaries and ACCEPT and CONNECT.

Some examples we use in connecting include:

  1. Individuals from countries that speak the same language – Unless your connection is obviously speaking the same language as you, you have a barrier from the beginning.  Set yourself up for success if this is something you would like to consider
  2. Individuals from industries of professions that could benefit your network – are they possible referral resources for you?
  3. Individuals who have similar interest – maybe you both enjoy golf or technology or the outdoors?  These would be great reasons to try to get to know someone in your network. Interests are also a great tools for sales calls and “breaking the ice”.

Taking networking to a HIGHER LEVEL

If you are like me, you probably attend a weekly or monthly networking event.  What do you do with those business cards you collected?

  1. Send them a connection request on LinkedIn
  2. Include a personal message reminding them how you met
  3. Follow-up with a message (upon acceptance) asking them three (3) key things to listen for so you can best refer them

Participate in Group DISCUSSIONS

You can not only join Professional Groups related to your industry, but groups of similar interest.  You can elect to receive notification of group discussions in your email or login to view activity.  Either way, Groups are a valuable asset of the LInkedIn Platform. (you can connect to up to 50 LinkedIn Groups and a myriad of subgroups)

  1. Connect to Groups of Professional Interest to your Industry
  2. Connect to Groups of Personal Interest to you
  3. Connect to Groups where your potential clients may be present

If you utilize these three (3) techniques, you will see that not only will your knowledge of exploring the tool increase, but your visibility, activity and credibility increase as well.

Your circle of influence is only as deep as the network you are swimming in!
Happy Connecting! 

~ Social Media is changing the way people do business.  Don’t get left behind ~ 


Hollie Clere, of The Social Media Advisor is a “Be Awesome” Developer, Social Media Brand Builder, Conent Manager, Trainer and Author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , YouTube, Pinterest and the tools to manage them. Click here for her Social Media Workshops, Classes and Seminars

http://www.socialpowerprogram.com/


Curious on whether your social brand is built properly?  Get your Social Media Analysis today. 
 

http://www.thesocialmediaadvisor.com/Social_Media_Analysis.html

Why LinkedIn Prospecting Works

https://thesocialmediaadvisor.com/

If you are in business in any fashion, LinkedIn is one of the first platforms networkers will recommend that you join.  Most of us have created an account, probably because of  receiving a connection request from someone you know, or someone you have met.


“Sure, I have a LinkedIn account, but I don’t do anything with it …” or “I created an account to get a job … “  are the responses we usually hear in our Workshops or networking events.  So, if I should create a profile on this account and do nothing with it, then why bother?  It isn’t just a tool used for job searching as many would believe.

Let me share with you why.

LinkedIn has a lot of amazing features to pull up relevant search results for business people you could be looking for.  From interests, experience, potential individuals you may be interested in connecting with, for networking purposes, or desire to reach out as a prospective client.  Your profile has ample space to share information valuable to your history and the entire network is searchable (meaning every word you choose to use on your profile is relevant and important.  I call LinkedIn “My Rolodex of business contacts”.  

There are specific techniques people have used to actually build relationships through the tool to generate a network of Power Partners, a network of people of similar interests (within and outside of work), Group discussions to bring clarity to news and issues going on in day to day work atmospheres, community or regions, a CRM database to build notes, tasks and history, perform research on Companies and opportunities, read articles and blogs shared by others, to name a few.

Taking the step to further a relationship with a “potential” someone on LinkedIn can be just as beneficial as a relationship you build in Facebook; but on a professional level.  How does someone do this?  There are specific processes that we have learned, refined and used over the last 7 years; that changed the way we have been able to enhance professional relationships and do business using LinkedIn.

We have developed a workshop that we offer locally (Denver Metro) that will show you the specific steps to do this, increasing your visibility, engagement and relationship potential with others you network with in LinkedIn.  You can learn about our workshops by visiting: http://thesocialpro.eventbrite.com

There are even many ways to build your contact database of clients without you spending hours online doing it yourself.  If you find you and your team are not at a place to spend this time combing LinkedIn for potential clients, we have a management package to do this for you as well.  

What is your biggest struggle on LinkedIn?  Let us know and we may be able to help you overcome it!

~ Social Media is changing the way people do business.  Don’t get left behind ~ 


Hollie Clere, of The Social Media Advisor is a “Be Awesome” Developer, Social Media Brand Builder, Conent Manager, Trainer and Author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , YouTube, Pinterest and the tools to manage them. Click here for her Social Media Workshops, Classes and Seminars

http://www.socialpowerprogram.com/


Curious on whether your social brand is built properly?  Get your Social Media Analysis today. 
 

http://www.thesocialmediaadvisor.com/Social_Media_Analysis.html

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