Social Media is by definition, social. Three main platforms have taken centre stage – Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin. If we were to compare these platforms to life in the real-world, Twitter would be a cocktail party, Facebook would be a backyard BBQ, and Linkedin would be the boardroom*. This makes Linkedin the platform of choice to create a personal brand for professionals & business people and will be the focus of the discussion on this series of posts.

Think of your Linkedin profile as an asset to your company and as a portrait of the professional that your customers would want to do business with. Include all details of your experience and include words that your prospects may use in their searches (put yourself in their shoes as you write). There are 8 main activities to cover when you start with Linkedin:

1. Create a custom URL and enable your public profile
2. Use a headline that is not your current position but rather something that describes what you do
3. Create a robust summary that covers your experience and distinctions
4. Think of keywords that your prospects will use to find you in your headline, status posts and descriptions
5. Use applications and widgets to link to other social media platforms such as blogs and document repositories
6. Include website links to your company, personal, and other sites
7. Get recommended by your peers and customers as much as possible
8. Develop your network by including colleagues, peers, and customers

This is only the first phase of creating a solid personal brand online using Linkedin. The next posts will cover how you can gain credibility, become a trusted adviser and reach new customers that you never thought possible.

(*adapted from Debbie Collins)

• Blogs & Books – I am more up-to-date with the blogs that I read. With the convenience that this device brings, I now can lay on the couch and more comfortably read eBooks and internet content. Not like a notebook where you have to sit in a notebook-friendly position, I can use this device like I would a book (though an oversized book it would be).
• Video podcasts. It’s a good thing that I don’t pay for cable, because I find that I prefer to sit with my iPad, whether I am having breakfast or I wake up in the middle of the night and can’t sleep. My financial and gadget video podcasts are viewed more easier and pleasantly on the big iPad screen.
• Emails – I have started to take my iPad to appointment (e.g. dentist appointments) and use it in the waiting room. Having the 3G connectivity, I can browse the web, read documents, and use iTunes while I wait.
• Maps. I had a meeting in an area of town last week that I was not familiar with. I looked it up on my iPad, went down to street view and saw an image of the building where my customer resided. But one thing that struck my eye was the Starbuck’s across the street – I showed up early had a coffee (while I browsed my iPad) and walked across the street when the time came. Yes, I could have done this on my laptop, but not from my car on 3G… at least not without extra equipment.
• For my work. I use my iPad to manage all email account – I can check and reply to email easily – even with the virtual keyboard (I have never been a fan of virtual keyboards) I can efficiently write without frustration. When I have a proposal to review or a presentation to proof, I find it is more comfortable using a tablet device. My job entails being in front of my computer everyday and when there are documents to read, I move myself over to the couch. I am not only reading in comfort, but I am removed from the IM and other distractions.