TRADE
SHOW HINTS & TIPS
LINKEDIN - A Fundamental Tool
LinkedIn is arguably the one online "social networking" tool that all business professionals should include in their marketing/business development kit.
While not directly related to "on the floor exhibiting", LinkedIn is a simple but sophisticated way to maintain ongoing relationships with clients, vendors, peers, and other trusted resources - as well as to nurture and deepen relationships with potential customers, networking associates and cross-referral partners, for whom you can be a resource as well.
To start, simply go in and add yourself, with as much information as you choose, and send invitations to people you respect to connect with you, and you're on. You're at the center of a network of people you know and trust.
Now you can also look for expertise by reaching out to the people in your network - or asking them to look in their further networks for you. You may find that someone you know "knows someone" who could be important for you and they can make an introduction to you or for you.
You can also participate in Question and Answer sessions and / or join Groups based on topic, industry, schools, etc. This way, you can read and learn - or establish your credibility as an expert by answering - or ask your own questions and get answers from peers and what are essentially ad hoc "focus groups" of people similar to or within your own prospect pool.
Groups that may be of interest: Trade Show Professionals, Sales & Marketing Community, MarketingProfs, Event Planning & Management ... alumni groups ... groups based in your city or state... It's easy to do a keyword based search. And you can always leave a group if it turns out not to be a match.
On a really basic level, LinkedIn is a way to keep in touch as people move between positions. Recruiters use it regularly. And, outside of the realm of business, you may be able to find long lost friends, classmates or colleagues.
The executive summary of why to use LinkedIn as a tool:
* Develop deeper connections with contacts of all kinds
* Allow people who trust you to find resources among your connections
* Potentially get introductions to your connections' connections
* Establish credibility and gain knowledge through participation
* Not lose contact when people switch positions or locations
For more information - go right to LinkedIn: What Is LinkedIn? Once you're in, there is a Q&A section devoted to how to use the tool most effectively.
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