LinkedIn is just like any other marketing tool – you have to have a goal and a strategy to get there. LinkedIn can be used to make new business connections and potential leads, to apply for job positions and to build business relationships in your target geography. 

What is LinkedIn? An online resume. Instead of meeting someone and convincing them of reading your resume/portfolio – LinkedIn works opposite. People look at your accomplishments before even meeting you. 

No matter what your goal – the basic process of using LinkedIn is the same. 

1. Create a strong profile. Make sure you fill in all the fields. Then, start making connections with people you already know. The more connections you have, the more credible you look. Also make sure to have at LEAST 2 strong references from people you trust. 

2. Set a goal for your LinkedIn. What do you want to accomplish from using it? What types of people would you like to make connections with and what do you want from those connections? Maybe you need to make 5 new sales in the next 30 days from small business owners. Make that your goal! 

3. Target specific companies or people. Once you set your goal you should know who you need to target. Check out your connections’ connections! See who your 2nd and 3rd degree connections are and request an introduction. 

Stay tuned for more information on LinkedIn… or join our conference call this Friday @ 2:30 EST

How to Make LinkedIn Work for You

We all have a story. We have visions, and goals, and passions. As women, we traditionally have used word of mouth and networks of friends to communicate and have influence. 

Social Media Phenomenon + Women = Influence that we cannot ignore!

Whether is for your job, your cause, your church or your family… social media can give us influence. 
—
Expressions Laboratories director Jennifer Mills is hosting a functional and inspiring lunch event discussing the critical position that women are in and how social media tools can be used to have influence. 

Jennifer Mills educates small businesses and organizations on effectively using social media to cut marketing costs and increase sales. After helping nonprofits and churches learn to use public relations to reach mass audiences, Jennifer founded Expressions Laboratories, a web development company specializing in helping businesses and organizations reach their brick and mortar goals. Jennifer’s company has brought new strategy and online publicity to hundreds of organizations nationally. 

Jennifer’s passion is in creating solutions where they need improvement. So as technology has redefined the way organizations perform outreach and achieve their goals, Jennifer has redefined the way public relations works for businesses. 

More about Jennifer Mills >

Our Guest Speaker is Cheryl Smith from Culture Smith Consulting! 

Cheryl Smith, IOM, is President of CultureSmith Consulting LLC where she works with businesses and non-profit organizations that concentrate on improving corporate culture. After more than twenty years of experience in nonprofit and corporate settings, Smith has turned her personal interests and experience into what is now her passion – helping people and organizations develop their potential.

Cheryl speaks to audiences about customer service, team building, communication, behavior preferences, networking and life work balance. She also has a thing or two to say about overcoming life’s challenges while maintaining a positive attitude.

Learn More about Cheryl Smith >

Come and learn more about this social media opportunity. To influence the world with our unique sense of relationship. With compassion, care, courage and collaboration. 

When: April 29 @ 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Where: Hilton Garden Inn, Lynchburg VA
Cost: $19 for lunch (Chicken salad or wrap)

REGISTER NOW

Well… ok… not quite. But the point is that Facebook’s Beacon program should scare you… I mean… it definitely scares me. 

What Does Facebook Collect About Me?

They at least know what movies I rent from Blockbuster, what I buy from eBay, what I am planning for my wedding through WeddingChannel and TheKnot, where I am traveling to from Travelocity and Hotwire, and what I am reading from the New York Times! Get a full list of the companies participating in Facebook’s Beacon program >

But does it scare me enough to opt-out of the Beacon program? 

Share your thoughts. Or get on the conference call.

It is no wonder that women are at the forefront of social media. Women are social beings – made for relationships! And social media is just another way for us to expand those relationships.

Traditionally men are the early adopters of new technologies, but studies show that women far outpace the men in social media. (Business Week Article)

Why Women? 

Social media is less of a “technology” and more of a “social gateway” … while women don’t necessarily run the behind the scenes of social media applications like twitter, digg and linkedin – they certainly know how to use them to put on a good show. 

Social Media Phenomenon + Women = Influence that we cannot ignore!

Whether is for your job, your cause, your church or your family… social media can give us influence.

What Women?

Who is using social media? My mom is… to keep up with her kids! My sister is… to communicate with her friends across her college campus.

Me and my old babysitter. One day I got a facebook invite from a couple who used to babysit me when I had curly blonde hair. I remembered them because they used to do ‘Wheres Waldo‘ puzzles with my brothers and I.

But more importantly…

Lynchburg Bridal Expo is getting people signed up for their event through Facebook.

Dayna Palmer created a group for lynchburg women business owners on Facebook.

Linda Settles, author, blogs and uses facebook to build interest for her new book.

Amy Clark established Momadvice.com – well researched and in-depth articles on frugal living, saving money, work at home opportunities, recipes and tips.

Allison Worthington – uses facebook and blogging titled “mrsfussypants.com: we cant both look good, its me or the house.”

There was a high school girl named Sarah Sowerwine who started a Breast Cancer awareness cause page on facebook that now has over 30 thousand members.

A woman named Christa Laukevicz started a cause on facebook called ‘Prevent Child Abuse America’ and has over 2 million members and 30 thousand dollars donated!
…

Now that we know social media can help us increase our influence, then we know it is powerful enough to also help us find solutions for immediate problems.

Trying to capture people’s email addresses? 

Try what frugalchallenge2009.blogspot.com is doing! 

(P.S. I want the giveaway