Most people are familiar with the basic features of LinkedIn such as connecting, groups, answers, applications, etc. There are some cool features that often get missed by the average user. Here we look at five under-utilized tricks you may not be familiar with.
One of the benefits of writing a book (in my case two books which will be released on June 1st) is that you reacquaint yourself with some features that are not always top of mind. These five feature won’t make or break your LinkedIn experience but they are useful. Drum roll please…
Add a You Tube Video to Your Profile
You can do this with either Slideshare or Google Presentation. My perspective was that Google Presentation was a little faster, but you should try both to see what works for you.
Here is how you would add a video using Google Presentation:
- Add the Google Presentation application
- Go into Google Docs and create a new presentation
- Click on Insert (top link) and click on Video
- Search for your video on YouTube and choose your video
- Click on File (top link) and choose Rename – rename your presentation
- Go back into Google Presentation from your Profile
- Click on your video and Post to Profile
When the slide show is clicked the video will play.
Create an Email Signature on LinkedIn
You can use LinkedIn’s Email Signature Tool to add a LinkedIn signature to your Outlook (2003, 2002 XP, and 2000), Outlook Express, Mozilla Thunderbird, and Yahoo email accounts.
Here is an example (there are 17 templates available):
To create your signature do the following:
1. At the bottom of each LinkedIn page there are three rows of text links. Click on ‘Overview’ at the bottom of your home page in the ‘Tools’ row.
2. Click on the ‘Try it Now’ button in the ‘Email signature’ area at the bottom of the ‘LinkedIn Tools Overview’ page.
Once you fill in the information you would like to include click the text link “Click here for instructions”. This will open up a pop up window with the html code and instructions.
Customize your Search Views
When you conduct a people search or a Group member search you get a list of the results. At the top is a drop down to choose how to view the results. You can choose Basic, Extended, or Create a New View. Choosing the New View opens a pop up window that allows you to include what you would like in your view.
This is a Premium feature that is available for a time to all types of accounts. Use it while you can and don’t be surprised if one day it disappears if you have a free account. LinkedIn wants to suck you in and once enough people use it, it will become a carrot to get you to upgrade to a paid account
Have new questions emailed to you based on a topic
Track topics based on keywords and categories in LinkedIn Answers to review and respond to questions posed by other LinkedIn members. When you look at a category on the right side at the bottom of the Browse box is a text link to “Subscribe to new questions in” whichever category you are currently viewing.
Add Personal Contact Information to your profile
At the bottom of your Profile Edit page is a space to include the following information:
- Phone number
- Instant Messaging ID
- Address
- Birthday
- Marital Status – do I see an eHarmony tie in coming down the road?
There a lot more relevant information that LinkedIn should allow you to share so let’s hope they expand this down the road.
Wrap Up
That’s it for today. On Monday I expect to release two new LinkedIn Books and a Work Book.
1. The LinkedIn MBA: This guide looks at just about every page and link and explains their purpose and it’s use. This detailed book will provide everything you need to build your LinkedIn foundation.
2. The LinkedIn MBA Workbook: The companion piece walks you through creating a “Killer” profile and building your online credibility through questions and exercises.
3. LinkedIn Marketing Secret Formula: This book is pure strategy and details the strategies I have developed and used that have resulted in prospects calling me to do business. It identifies the three LinkedIn networks you can use to communicate your message, indirectly, to tens of thousands of LinkedIn members. I also detail the secret process I have used to drive traffic to my blog going from 2,200 visitors in March to close to 50,000 in May.
The books are available on the blog by going to http://www.socialmediasonar.com/book.html
Have a great weekend… I’m off on a camping trip with the family to recuperate before the book release.
Sean Nelson
Related posts:
About Sean Nelson
Sean, You continue to make a difference to thousands of Linkedin people every day!! I need to come up with a Linkedin award like the Noble Peace Prize, and you will be the first recipent!! To all those that are reading this blog, buy Sean’s latest book, you will not be disappointed!!
woohoo! I second that:) Enjoy your wkend w/your family, Sean! I have been reading the linkedin book, still have 2/3 to go!
Some good ones there. I actually didn’t know about the signature, and didn’t connect how to get the video working. Excellent job.
Thank you for all this valuable information. Keep up the good work.
Good information. I get at least one question a day from a contact that still isn’t sure how to use LinkedIn… Looking forward to reading future blogs.
http://www.linkedin.com/gingerdodds
Hi Sean,
I have learned so much from your blog and LinkedIn discussions. I’ve been growing my network steadily over the last few weeks and am almost to the magical 500+ mark. I’ve also been making contacts at the companies I want to consult with and have had a few people agree to pass my resume around. I now have a few active leads and hope to land my next contract soon, all because of your advice.
Thank you!
Charles
I Accept All Invites! http://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesburleigh
Check out my blog: http://charlesburleigh.com
I’m glad I found this blog. Thanks for your effort!
Thank for sharing the info
2 words: you rock!
Thanks for explaining… e-z to understand truth about social networking. Please stay with your passion!
Thanks for all of the comments. This has been one of my more popular posts and it was thrown together at the last minute while trying to get out of town on a camping trip with the family. I should camp more often.
Sean
I did not know about the signature tip and so this is wonderful info… This is a very helpful section to utilize linkedin more….. Who knew Google Presentation could show a You Tube video… scary! (smile)
And Sean if you know of any real good camping spots….Let me know as I am a camping enthusiast…
Thankyou!
Elaine,
Glad the post was valuable. As far as camping we’re just getting back into it after a 10 year delay…wanted to let the kids get to be old enough. We camped at Red Top Mountain in Georgia which was a good start. We’re going to hit a couple more to try and find the one that works best. Relearned lesson 1 with last trip…Plan it and do decide to go last minute.
I am glad you posted this information. A long time user and forgot how good the system it. Time to re-start my way up. Thanks for the advice.
It’s easy to step away and get caught up in other things. Thanks for the comment.
Sean
Hello,
Awesome! Thanks for the valuable advice. I was looking forward to something like that to expand my network. Time to try some different ways…
Best Wishes!
Anika
Hi Sean,
I hope you make some more camps and supply us with more powerful tips of yours. I loved this blog!
Thanks, Sean. Keep meaning to add a video. Now you’ve given me no reason not to.
btw….clicked on the Twitter follow icon but that page doesn’t stay up. You might want to check it.
Thanks Sean. As someone who has taken their time acclimating themselves to Linked In, I really appreciate your tips. I look forward to learning more on your blog.
Thanks Sean, this is the first time I have seen your blog and I found it really useful. Thank you for sharing the wealth of your wisdom to help others.
Warm wishes, Penelope
Alin,
It takes time to get to where you see a consistent return but in the mean time you’re connecting to some interesting people.
Sean
Penelope,
Thanks for the comments and welcome to the blog. Don’t keep it a secret.
Sean
Hello Sean,
As a “technology challenged” newbie on LinkedIn, I really appreciate all of the advice. I’m plugging awa y every day, wondering if it’s all worth it, then I read the comments and realize it is!
Thanks again.
Bernadette
Bernadette,
Keep plugging away until you make it work for you. Read blogs for free info, buy books to take advantage of the knowledge others are sharing (hint hint…LinkedIn MBA and Workbook) and continuously participate. Expand your reach with connections and groups.
Sean
Thanks. These are great ideas!
Hi Sean, I am a new member to this group (Tim Murphy referred me!) and know that I am not taking advantage of all that LinkedIn has to offer. Thanks very much for sharing! Mary Hannon
Mary,
Its my pleasure. Come back often and be sure to read some of the older posts. Lots of inf.
Sean
Sean,
As always … you are the “LinkedIn Go To Guy”! Your information is priceless!
Best always,
Robert
Sean:
I’m on LinkedIn and it far outweighs any other so-called “social media”….why not call it “business-media”? I may have started a new cyber term. Here is another tip for ANYONE on LinkedIn. Join TopLinked.com which is a subsidiary site to LinkedIn. This is if you want to TURBO-CHARGE your connections. I joined for $50 and my invitations to “connect” began to pour in. It is well worth the $50 because you may find a business contact like I did, which resulted in my creating “custom cartoons” for several clients I would never have found otherwise. It truly is a “business media” and anyone reading this, email me directly if you have questions regarding LinkedIn. I am a simple cartoonist….but managed to hook up with several consultants, publishers, marketing specialists, copy writers and others who have found my cartooning services. As I say, joining TopLinked is a choice ONLY if you want to turbo charge your “connections” list as this is what actually compelled me to join LinkedIn in the first place. And unlike Facebook where “friends” dribble in . . . they literally pour in via TopLinked’s association through LinkedIn! Thanks for this informative site you have!
Sincerely,
Dan Rosandich
~cartoonist~
web designer
marketing specialties
We have a network group on LinkedIn. Will there be an a point to post General information to the group for downloading purposes. When the group has a presentation, at this point there is no way to share the point point presentation, pdf’s, excel spreadsheets. Any suggestion?
thank-you
Bill
Sean
Should the google presentation be one that shows what you do?
Or is it a video of yourself talking.
Katie,
It should be whatever best explains what it is that you do, how you help people, and a call to action.
Sean