LinkedIn Lead Generation Secrets by LinkedIn Speaker Philip Calvert

This depends on  why  you are using LinkedIn and what your personal strategy is for the site. There are generally two schools of thought: firstly, only connect with a clearly defined type of person (perhaps in a specific niche), so that you build strong relationships and create a quality network where you can help each other out. Or, connect with almost everyone who approaches you. Clearly you will want to avoid the obvious spammers. The benefits of this approach are firstly that the more people you connect with, the greater likelihood that serendipity will kick in with unexpected valuable relationships building. Secondly, LinkedIn actually rewards you for having a large network, by placing you higher up in search results where you are included. In short, think carefully about what it is you want to achieve on LinkedIn (this of course could change over time), and have a connection strategy that matches that. One last point - get into the habit of thanking people when ...

Another new LinkedIn development coming to a mobile device near you... LinkedIn now gives you your own QR code which you can save and share. You can also scan other people's QR code - handy if you've run out of business cards etc.

Wherever possible, keep separate notes off LinkedIn on people you've connected with in the past who you feel might/could be potential clients eventually. But diarise those notes to periodically revisit their profile and engage with them through LinkedIn. You'll often be surprised how this can produce business. I just said "Hello, how are you?" to one such person who connected with me on LinkedIn after a presentation I gave five years ago. He immediately booked me to speak at an event of his own next month. #Result

Take the bull by the horns and work the LinkedIn platform.  Share thought-leadership and proactively engage with people. Why leaders at mid-size service firms must prioritise LinkedIn... Great article and well worth a read...

Imagine being able to know the name and contact details of everyone who visited your website? Unless you have an irresistible lead magnet, you'll never know who stopped by your site. Well LinkedIn makes it easy by showing you everything you need to know - but it's an incredibly under-used feature. Good article on the Who Viewed My Profile feature - click here...

Did you know that in many countries you can now join LinkedIn from the age of 13... I've been speaking in schools to Year 10s and Sixth form students on how they can start the transition from 'fun social networking' to 'professional social networking'. LinkedIn also has a useful resource if you have a teen in your house who might be interested in starting down the professional networking route...

Networking is an essential business activity, of which LinkedIn can play a part. Ecademy.com was founded in 1998 and was THE place to network online. Here are some useful tips to consider when evaluating networking opportunities. Click...

What's the weirdest LinkedIn connection request you have received? One like this?

Messaging with someone on LinkedIn and not ready to give your detailed reply yet? LinkedIn allows you to turn off read receipts and typing notifications. Here's how from Ad Week

Automation tools are useful up to a point on LinkedIn, but not for replying to personal messages...

Want more leads from LinkedIn? The long awaited new location feature is now going live on the LinkedIn mobile app. Go to your contacts and it should soon appear if it's not already there. Awesome tool for committed networkers, which you can use to find LinkedIn folks who are physically nearby.