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The standard LinkedIn profile is pretty boring – it consists almost entirely of text.
This might be fine if you are using LinkedIn to find a job, but doesn’t work if you are using the site for marketing purposes. Fortunately, LinkedIn has partnered with a dozen application providers to help enhance user experience. Here are eight that I recommend to turn your profile from a resume to a marketing tool.
SlideShare presentations
SlideShare allows you to embed PowerPoint presentations, PDFs, documents and spreadsheets into your profile. It enables you to incorporate your marketing materials directly into your profile, allowing visitors to find out more about you and your business than the standard profile would normally allow. Since SlideShare shows a thumbnail of the document, you’ll want to use the application for documents that are graphically interesting. Upload your brochure, firm summary or other marketing piece with this application. You can include multiple files, but only up to three are visible on your profile. You may want to consider only adding one document and choosing the “Show complete presentation in player” option for even more impact.
Google Presentations
Google Presentations is similar to SlideShare in that it allows you to embed PowerPoint presentations into your profile. However, unlike SlideShare, it only allows you to upload presentations. Use this application if you have a PowerPoint presentation you would like to share on your profile and are already using SlideShare to highlight your marketing material. Consider creating an overview presentation about your firm and include it in Google Presentations.
Box.net
Box.net is a file sharing application. You can add any type of file and allow visitors to download these files. Since all files are displayed with standard PDF, Word or Excel icons, this application is not aesthetically appealing. You should limit the use of this application to share basic text documents such as forms. You won’t want to put your eye-catching marketing pieces in the Box.net application.
BlogLink
BlogLink allows you to import your blog or other RSS feed directly into your LinkedIn profile. You can also use BlogLink to showcase your Twitter feed. You can add valuable content to your profile providing your visitors with further insight into your services.
