Social networking sites like LinkedIn can be useful tools to grow your business. Lest you think LinkedIn is just another playground for the Millenials, the nearly 76 million people born in the US between 1978 and 2000 that comprise Generation Y,  consider these staggering facts:

Average age = 41

Average household income = $109,000

80% of users are US-based

95% are college graduates, and 37% have post-graduate degrees

There are more than 700,000 small business owners

Every Fortune 500 company is represented

There are 200,000 – 300,000 new profiles added each week

49% of users consider themselves business decision makers

36% of companies have fewer than 500 employees

Previously discussed how to get started on LinkedIn by filling out your profile and completing your summary. These are critical first steps to growing your online network. Next, here are two more tips to making your online profile first-rate:

1. Your Public Profile and Personal URL

Your public profile is comprised of personal information that you allow other LinkedIn users to see. I have opted to share quite a bit of information about my background because it lends credibility to the claims I make about being an “experienced marketer.” You’ll notice that I have also customized my Public Profile URL with my personal moniker “Sima Says.” I chose Sima Says because it is the persona I use in all my online / social media activities, but you might customize yours with your name, your company’s name, or even a product name.  A clever, memorable and shorter profile URL makes it easier for you to use in your email signature or other business correspondence.

2. Set Your Status

Setting your LinkedIn status is another way to engage your network. I change mine at least every couple of days. It only takes a minute and sends a signal to your network that you’re out there and making things happen!  Here are some examples of how I use my status:

Source vendors – “Sima is looking for graphic designers with experience in logo development.”

Promote my business – “Sima is excited to get started on a branding project for my new client!”

Find subject matter experts – “Sima is looking for speakers on marketing to SMBs for April event. Email me for details.”

Build meaningful connections – “Sima is wishing everyone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!”

LinkedIn users receive regular updates on profile changes for everyone in their network. That means that every time I change my profile, the 1,000+ members of my network are notified. Over time they learn about what I can offer, what my needs are, and a bit about me personally. Think of it as a quick chat over the fence in your backyard with a new neighbor… LinkedIn permits you to have tens, hundreds or even thousands of those friendly chats without ever leaving your chair.

You’re welcome to get your feet wet by connecting to me on LinkedIn – be sure to mention you’re coming from my blog! And please post any questions you have here – we all learn something by helping each other.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 at 10:41 am and is filed under LinkedIn. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.