How To Get Introduced To New Contacts On LinkedIn

Asking an existing contact to make an introduction is a great way to build your business network. LinkedIn provides an easy way to facilitate these introductions and increases the likelihood of success.


Here are the key steps:

1) Go to the LinkedIn profile of an existing contact on LinkedIn. Preferably, a contact with whom you have a close relationship. Scroll down to the "Connections" section on their profile (see below). 

2) Peruse their existing connections using the "next" button or by using the search box. You can search by name or another term.

3) If you conduct a search it will also offer you the opportunity to access the advanced search options.

4) The advanced search options (e.g. company, location etc.) then appear on the left hand side of the initial search results.

5) When you find somebody you wish to be introduced too, go to their profile by clicking on their name. 

6) Select "Get introduced" from the drop down menu in the header section of their profile.

7) The following box will appear. Select the LinkedIn contact you wish to make the introduction on your behalf. There may be multiple options available from amongst your LinkedIn connections.

8) Enter an explanation of why you wish to connect with the person concerned. Then press "Send Request". The request will go to your selected connection, who can then pass on your request accordingly.

Note: It is also possible to access the "Introduction Request" box by going to the "How You're Connected" section on the right hand side of any LinkedIn profile.

5 reasons to start your Social Media campaign in November

You’ve probably been thinking, I must get the business in good shape on Social Media. My competitors seem to be using it, maybe they’re winning business that I’m not even seeing? But I just don’t have the time (or resources, or knowledge etc etc). You’ll find below 5 reasons why now is a great time to commission a Social Media campaign. Plus several indications of why you can no longer afford to let your competitors have free rein in this increasingly important business development channel.And finally, an opportunity that will save you money and allow you to relax on your holidays, knowing that your business is continuing to market itself. 1) Events, Events,Events Coming up to Christmas there are an increasing number of events you’re likely to be attending. The Christmas and end-of-year party invitations will be coming through thick and fast. Although, I’m finding nowadays they are being held earlier and earlier, often in November! And business networking events are still in full flow. Check out this innovative Pintertest display (http://pinterest.com/richardc02/sydney-biz-events-november-2012/) showing over 50 business networking events being held in Sydney during November alone! But what about all those new contacts you make at these events. Social Media is absolutely the best way to keep in contact with them. And you want to be certain both your personal profiles and business pages are looking their best when these new contacts check you out. 2) Get Off To A Flying Start in 2013 Developing business opportunities through social media is becoming an ever increasing part of the marketing campaigns for nearly all businesses. There is even a name for this process - Social Business Development. Is your business geared up to take advantage of this new channel for sales growth? You need an established Social Media presence to exploit this new channel. So make sure you have one as business starts to take off again in the new year. Don’t let your competitors leave you behind. 3) Google Doesn’t Take Holidays (nor do Yahoo & Bing) The Internet has enabled business to continue everywhere, every day, 24 hours a day. The search engines will continue to monitor your business activity, even on Christmas Day. Social Media is the most efficient way to let search engines know you’re still around and to maintain your search rankings (or even increase them, if your competitors are out of the loop for two weeks or more). Even the Australian economy isn’t as vibrant as many of us would like. So it’s a sure bet that, at least, a proportion of your clients will be cutting back on holidays this year. Make sure you’re keeping in contact with them through an established Social Media campaign (even when you’re having a well deserved break yourself). 4) Make The Quieter Times Work For You Does your business just tread water over the Christmas and New Year period? Don’t let that happen any more. A Social Media campaign will continue developing business opportunities, even when you’re not working. Online connections will continue to be developed. Content will be published. Your other business marketing activities will continue to be supported. Many businesses find that their clients and prospects actually spend more time on Social Media services during the Christmas and New Year period. Being active yourself is a great way to keep your business visible, without interrupting anybody. 5) Four Months For The Price Of Three Here's a great opportunity. Move ahead with our Social Media campaign package in November and we’ll run the campaign for 4 months (a savings of $490). This package will equip your business with the following Social Media resources : LinkedIn Company Page; Facebook Company Page; Google+ Company Page; Twitter Account. Regular content will be generated on all these channels over a four month period. We’ll work closely with you to build a relevant online community for your business. As well as helping you to supercharge your business networking with Social Media. And we’ll ensure the campaign is fully integrated with your other marketing activities. By the new year your business will have a new very well established and very effective business development channel. Ready to start growing your business through Social Media? Contact Richard Carter of Business Connection Resources: Phone: (02) 9956 2999, Email: richardc@business-connections.com.au LinkedIn http://au.linkedin.com/in/businessconnections

Picture Acknowledgement: Search Engine Marketing  by Danard Vincente

Key Habits of Super Networkers by Lewis Howes

The seven key habits highlighted by Lewis are:

1. Ask insightful questions.
2. Add value.
3. Learn their 'story.'
4. Share a memorable fact.
5. Keep a list.
6. Make small promises and keep them.
7. Reward your 'power' contacts.

These are some really valuable pointers on networking. You can read the Full Article at: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/224819

Three good examples of "social businesses" that are disrupting their industries.

"...the writing is already on the wall: service businesses that don’t use social features to lower barriers and increase efficiency will likely not survive long"

Full Article:  Airbnb, Coursera and Uber: The rise of the disruption economy

Embracing social media isn’t just a bit of fun, it is a vital way to communicate, keep your ear to the ground and improve your business - Richard Branson

Full Article:  Why aren’t more business leaders online?

Businesses must put the internet first in all their decisions to ensure their companies have a long-term future - Martha Lane Fox

There is a skills gap among medium-sized businesses preventing them moving more of their operations online. While companies have invested in their customer-facing websites, there is far more they could be doing online that would save them money and help them expand.

Full Article: Martha Lane Fox: ‘Steal from Google’ and put online first to build sustainable recovery

Google+ Has 400 Million Members - Mashable

Google+ has also managed to reach 100 million active users within 12 months! It took Facebook many years to reach the same number of active users.

Full Article:  Google+ Has 400 Million Members

Social Business takes on a new level of urgency as organizations shift from an Information Age “informing” model to a Communication Age “communicating and engaging” model - Daniel Burrus.

Full Article:  20 Game-Changing Technology Trends That Will Create Both Disruption and Opportunity on a Global Level

You cannot have credibility saying you are customer-centric if you ignore your customers in social media channels - Charlene Li

Full Article:  The Crisis of Courage in Social Media

Eighty-one percent of executives believe their brands can get more sales and bigger market share by using social media - Article by Ryan Holmes CEO at HootSuite

Full Article: Are You Leaving $1.3 Trillion on the Table? Why Fortune 500 Companies Are Racing to Social Media

New LinkedIn Profile Format Coming Soon!

LinkedIn have announced the introduction of a new format for individual profiles.

The new format seems to provide a cleaner, more modern looking display. With a larger profile photo (so make sure you've uploaded a good one!).

There will be a graphical display of your network in the right hand column. More interesting and useful statistics are promised.

Profile photos from a selection of your connections are to be shown at the bottom of the new format. Which according to LinkedIn will also make it easier to connect and build relationships.

You can see the new format at: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/about. At present you need to submit a request to have your account upgraded to the new profile format.

What do you think of the new format?