LinkedIn - Use LinkedIn to Market Yourself, Your Products and Your Company

I have fallen head over heals for Linkedin. I have been on it now for almost two years, but am now just starting to maximize its potential.

Two weeks ago I attended a session with our BC HR Tech Group. We brought in Steve Barham, Senior Account Executive with Linkedin. Not only did he sing the features of Linkedin he also compared its effectiveness to other social networking sites, like Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, etc. Linkedin maybe ranked around #20 of all social networking sites, but it is #1 as the professionals choice for networking.

Check it out for yourself...
http://linkedinformarketing.com/ceo-of-linkedincom-gives-you-tips-on-how-to-use-linkedin/

So here are 10 Tips to maximize your company profile on Linkedin and get access to more talent out there:

1. Create and administer your Employee and Corporate Alumni Group -connect with employees past and present. Keep them update to date with what is going on in the organization and keep the word of mouth alive.

2. Improve your Company Profile page - after you get enough employees populating Linkedin, the admin support will create a FREE company page. They will provide a brief summary of your company, related companies, key statistics about your employee, and a list of current, past and most popular employees. You can update this page with your company address, website, blogs, specialties, change the company summary, etc. It's FREE so take advantage of promoting your employer brand image.

3. Join relevant industry and recruiting groups - Post resources, tools and useful information for your group network. Even if you are not connected to all members of the group, your messages go out to everyone and appear on their Home page. Also respond to other people's posts. Sharing information is a great way to expand your network - good Karma always comes back to you!

4. Use Saved Searches - You can save up to 10 searches and get alerts over email when new people match your search. Then you can decide to invite them to connect.

5. Broadcast Job Openings via your Status Bar - let people know who you are looking for. Provide a link to your website's career page so candidates can go there directly. Also post jobs on your Alumni Group Page so previous employees can either re-apply or refer you to someone in their network that would be a good fit.

6. Ask & Answer Questions - Look at questions posted from everyone in your network - that's your 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree network. Choose to post and answer. Again a great way to be transparent and share what you know with who you know.

7. Create Polls - Ask a question of your network and capture responses in a poll. E.g. Who is going to the Game Developers Conference in Vancouver on May 12-13?

8. Use Linkedin Applications - Savvy-up your profile page and share more with your network.

9. Create Events - let people know what you are up to and how they can get involved. Allows you to provide meeting information, venue location, time, etc.

10. Good Manners - Always be courteous and check your spelling and grammer. When sending an InMail or sending an invitation to connect, make sure you leave your full name, position, company name and contact information. Make it easy for people to click the "accept" button because they remember you, and not because they have to go back to your profile.

Have any other great tips to share with people - feel free to leave them here!