I truly hope that you are utilizing one or more of the Social Media Tools such as LinkedIn, FaceBook, Twitter, and there’s literally hundreds more based on what you want to achieve. 

I believe one of the best , if not the best for business, is LinkedIn. If you don’t have a LinkedIn site yet then do this first..  {Note to readers..this is a Beginner’s list of things to do but equally good as reminders to do even if you’re and experienced LinkedIn user}.

Go to www.linkedin.com      Hit the Green JOIN NOW Button and you’re on your way.

Now that you’ve joined LinkedIN or if you already had a Linked Account,  do the 25 things I specify below:

1. Please make sure you completely fill in your LinkedIn Profile

2. Ask friends and Acquaintances who have worked with you, for you to write recommendations

3. You will See GROUPS on the left side of your Home Screen.  Join several that match your industry and alumni.span style=”font-family: Times New Roman;”>  This is one of the easiest methods to network.

4.Once you join groups, get involved in their Questions and Answers

5.Make sure you Update your status of recent work.

6. Send Invites to your LinkedIN to as many people as you know.  [ NOTE:  Don’t spam people you don’t know because if people respond they don’t know you LinkedIn will be alerted.]

7. Use widgets (small software programs) to integrate other tools, such as importing your blog entries or Twitter stream into your profile. You’ll see this on the left of your home screen under APPLICATIONS.

8.  Create a user friendly Public Profile URL (in your personal profile section

9.  Publish your LinkedIn URL on information you are sending to prospective employer.

10. Link your status updates with your other social media accounts.(such as twitter, facebook or others you may use)

11. Use the search feature to find people by company, industry and city.

12. Start and manage a group or fan page for your product, brand or business.

13. Research your prospects before meeting or contacting them.

14. Share useful articles and resources that will be of interest to customers and prospects.

15. Don’t turn off your contacts: avoid hard-sell tactics.

16. Write honest and valuable recommendations for your contacts.

17. Post your presentations on your profile using a presentation application (ie;powerpoints, videos, etc..)

18. Check connections’ locations before traveling so you can meet with those in the city where you’re heading.

19. Ask your first-level contacts for introductions to their first-level contacts.

20. Interact with LinkedIn on a regular basis to reach those who may not see you on other social media sites.

21. Set up to receive LinkedIn messages in your inbox so you can respond right away.

22. Link to articles and content posted elsewhere, with a summary of why it’s valuable to add to your credibility.

23. Find experts in your field and get to know them.

24. Import vCards and contacts from other applications to find more connections.

25. Export your contacts into other applications.