Business First Digital, March 2017 Business First Digital Magazine, March 2017 | Page 17

Business First Workshop
BUSINESS FIRST WORKSHOP

Business First Workshop

LinkedIn ’ s new redesign features by Bill McCartney , Think Social

ou may have witnessed or even felt confused , negative or angry regarding

YLinkedIn ’ s new modernised Desktop platform . While I recognise these feelings I believe the new redesign offers you huge opportunities and exciting new features .

There is a far simpler layout that focuses on improving your visibility and credibility . Higher engagement through improved messaging and shared mutual interests . Search now includes advanced search . Easily discover and engage high worth potential clients . Grow your brand awareness , generate more leads and dramatically improve your sales .
These are the essentials to your success on LinkedIn that my new Belfast Workshop LinkedIn ’ s New Redesign Essentials on 6th April 2017 will focus on .
For now , let me show you a quick half dozen new features that you will find useful .
New Features

1Hashtags They started on twitter , were adopted by Facebook , available on the LinkedIn mobile app last year and are now available on the LinkedIn New Redesigned Desktop .

I love hashtags and use # BillMcCartneyTips as my default hashtag . Other favourites of mine are # Belfast # NI # NorthernIreland # AlwaysBeLearning # StartSomething # BestAdvice # WhatInspiresMe
Ideally only use two or three hashtags in about 10 per cent of posts .
Hashtags on LinkedIn are searchable . They are an excellent way to reach a bigger audience and find valuable content .
Why not give hashtags a try ? Create a hashtag that uniquely reflects your business , products or service . Avoid abbreviations and make them clearly meaningful .

2Contact Details Visible to Everyone Contact details are now clearly visible under the Contact and Personal Info tab at the top right hand corner on everyone ’ s profile .

Make sure your contact details are up to date .

3Highlights When you view someone ’ s profile , highlights let you see immediately mutual connections and groups you share with that viewed profile . It includes companies you both work for .

This is very handy information if you wish to write a connection note , be introduced or need a conversion starter .

4Posts and Activities Like highlights these have a prominent position on the new profile redesign . Activities used to be buried on the old profile and few people were aware of them .

Both highlights and Posts / Activities encourage engagement and help your visibility and credibility .

5Notifications Newsfeed Notifications now have their own newsfeed . They are far easier to read and again encourage that all­important engagement .

6Advanced Search Still Available Under Search Integrating the name Advanced Search into just a plain simple name Search has caused many people to assume that the Advanced Search ability has disappeared .

It is still there under the generic name Search . The advanced search filters , Connections , Locations , Current Company , Past Companies , Industries , Profile Language , Nonprofit Interests , Schools are still available . Boolean search is also available and it is possible to search on firstname , lastname and title .
The Future
LinkedIn ’ s future is bright with around half a billion professional members . Its new owners Microsoft who themselves have over one billion customers will no doubt integrate their key platforms Outlook , Excel and Word etc . into LinkedIn .
Look out for a roll out of LinkedIn ’ s live video app Record and real time messaging using artificial intelligence .
LinkedIn is changing fast and my new Belfast Workshop LinkedIn ’ s New Redesign Essentials on 6th April will keep you ahead of the game .
Your time on LinkedIn is precious so make sure you know the essentials for success .
Bill McCartney was LinkedIn ’ s only official EMEA talents solution partner in Northern Ireland . Since 2010 he has trained and advised a diverse range of clients , from sole traders to large companies , Financial Institutions , Enterprise Agencies , Charities and Government bodies . His LinkedIn workshops are now legendary .
Checkout Bill ’ s LinkedIn profile www . linkedin . com / in / billmccartneyni
QUOTABLEQUOTE
Many people just enter a persons name or key word and hit search . They seldom delve any deeper into search and miss a huge opportunity . Even at a simple level , click on the three horizontal lines just left of the search bar .
MOREINFORMATION
LinkedIn New Redesign Essentials Workshop
The new redesign offers you huge opportunities and exciting new features in a clean simple easy to use layout that focuses on engagement and content .
Grow your brand awareness and improve your visibility and credibility .
Easily discover and engage high worth potential clients and recruit talent .
Quickly generate more targeted leads and dramatically improve your sales .
These are the essentials to success on LinkedIn that this workshop will focus on .
The workshop will be supported with a handout and a copy of all slides used .
Business First is working with Bill McCartney and offering this LinkedIn Workshop on April 6th 2nd 2017 at Riddel Hall , Queens University , Belfast .
For more information and to reserve a place please visit businessfirstonline . co . uk / linkedinapril
www . businessfirstonline . co . uk
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