Courtesy of techcrunch.com

The LinkedIn Homepage Revamp

The most obvious change to come in recent days, has been the homepage design revamp, replacing the uncomfortable stark whiteness that made LinkedIn famous – with a black header and a more symmetrical layout. Better yet the functionality has been updated as well, and the site actually loads faster.

Overall LinkedIn has adopted a more modern look, following in the footsteps of Youtube, Facebook and Twitter. Gone are the older ‘open white space’ methodologies, and instead the site has embraced the traditional web 2.0 use of geometric shapes to make sense of the online space. It works, it really does.

The homepage reads like a personal business update – at the top is the news that LinkedIn recommends for you, and then comes the list of interactions and connections that your business network is making. The right hand column has morphed into a wonderfully handy set of tools. From ‘people you may know’ to ads, profile view stats, group suggestions and other plugins that you’ve added to your profile.

What To Do: Update your status daily to stay in your network feed. You can comment in groups, make new connections or answer LinkedIn questions. Whatever interaction you achieve will be published on your network’s news board.

LinkedIn has finally moved towards a more personal look and feel, with greater customizations and clear focus on interaction. It’s seems like they’ve sat back, eagerly watching the other networks and what they’ve done – and have implemented lessons based on that. The only thing to say is that it all works, very well. It’s an instant improvement.

Things You Should Be Changing

With a redesign, comes new features and enhancements. With the LinkedIn changes a few things are now more obvious. Your profile image for example, is larger and more emphasized. LinkedIn says that a great profile photo will get you clicked on 7X more than if you had no profile image at all.

Your descriptive tagline that explains who you are is also more prominent, so think of something really good to place here. The revamp brings new SEO opportunities. Perhaps it’s time you removed that old summary and replaced it with something more dynamic.

Spend time making your LinkedIn profile engaging and worth reading. It is still one of the most important pieces of information about you online. Your clients, friends, family, employees and colleagues will see your LinkedIn profile often.

If you don’t yet have any recommendations make a point of getting at least two. They enhance your page and will help you complete your profile. LinkedIn says more changes will be coming very soon – and we can’t wait! If they’re as good as this redesign, we’re in for a treat!

What do you think about the new LinkedIn changes? Do you like them or hate them – why? We want to know!

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#1: Target Specific Audiences

The new LinkedIn targeted updates allow you to send messages to a specific segment of the people following your company page. That means you can reach certain demographics with specific messages, to increase interest, promote product launches and hype up an oncoming sale.

Send messages to your followers based on industry, company size, geography and more. Used properly, LinkedIn updates like this can make individual sales skyrocket, especially if you’re in the information business.

#2: Your Message is Amplified

When you send out your targeted message, each one is amplified – through the power of social sharing. Your followers can choose to share your update across their own networks, which means greater reach for you and your brand message. The opportunity of viral marketing on LinkedIn has never been so attractive.

#3: Collect Information on Your Followers

When you use LinkedIn targeted updates, the analytics area on LinkedIn tracks and collects a host of follower information that can be very useful to the savvy marketer. You’ll be able to see how your followers interact with your messages. From seniority, industry, and region, to company size and function – these are stats you want to have.

#4: Analyze The Data For Improved Marketing

You’ll be able to analyze the data from your LinkedIn targeted update analytics, to greatly improve your marketing tactics as time progresses. Use stats like clicks, likes, engagement, shares and comments to work out which messages are making the most impact among your selected audiences. Then streamline your marketing messages to get the most bang for your marketing buck!

The LinkedIn targeted status updates are incredibly potent marketing tools. LinkedIn has given the ambitious marketer everything they could need to craft excellent marketing campaigns on the platform. Don’t neglect to use your LinkedIn audience as a resource tool, or as a buying public. They can be both.

How Do I Use Targeted Updates?

You’ll need a LinkedIn company page first. If you don’t have one yet, it’s highly recommended that you do take the time to set one up. People follow companies they admire, for great information, tips, resources – or just because you’re in an identical niche and have something to say.

Create targeted updates by limiting the audience parameters, so that you’re speaking directly to someone who has the highest buying potential. The targeted updates section has already proven invaluable for executive search companies, job boards and local businesses. If you want to take advantage of this new feature, then test it out today!

How do you use LinkedIn? Have you ever tried to sell your products there? Tell us your story!

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Step 1 is always going to be building your community. You can’t excel on a platform, if you don’t have an interactive community there. This needs to be priority number 1!

#1: Explode Your Online Reputation

Commit to getting as many recommendations as you can, from friends, colleagues, group members – everyone you can. They’re a free source of social proof that you can use on multiple social networks, in marketing collateral and on your website.

#2: Seek Out a Small Network of Influencers

If you run a niche blog, find the top 10 influencers in your niche on LinkedIn, and befriend them. This will lead to many joint ventures, guest posting and – if you play your cards right – inclusions in marketing materials, ebooks and other ‘high impact’ sales tools.

#3: Use Your Group Network For Product Launches

Launching a new product? Use your LinkedIn group network to source real testimonials, for use in other materials. Partner with a few of them and create a solid affiliate network, to access larger online communities.

#4: Use LinkedIn with Mobile Marketing

Use LinkedIn to share a text campaign with your networks, to build a quality subscriber list for your restaurant, pub, fitness center or dance studio. You can include your mobile keyword in your monthly email, or in your weekly group posts.

#5: Always Use ‘Add Sections’ To Enhance Your Profile

On LinkedIn there are several widgets that you can include on your profile to give you more credibility. Add your honors, awards, certifications, organizations, projects, patents, publications and more to your profile. You’ll soon get more connections, and more business!

#6: Become an Authority in Under 1 Month, With Answers

Answer LinkedIn questions, in the answers section. The more questions you answer, the more respect and authority you can gain. This is crucial if potential clients want to know who you are online. A quick search will prove that you’re an instant authority.

LinkedIn is a business focused environment, which means that your network is a great tool for your company. Most small business owners have a LinkedIn profile, but they don’t know what to do with it. First you need connections, and you can get many of them by joining groups. These groups are interactive and give you a chance to meet new people.

Once you have a few groups that you frequent, start asking for help. But make it worthwhile. No one can survive social media by ‘taking’ all the time – you must ‘give’ just as much! Always incentivize your requests, and be there to help others build their businesses as well.

Do you struggle to connect with your LinkedIn community? Tell me what your business needs, and I’ll come up with a plan for you!