LinkedIn replacing current applications

There has been some abrupt changes at LinkedIn over the last three months, including a reformatting of your profile. The first big change came with the "Endorsement" feature.

Yet more changes are coming to your LinkedIn profile if you use the (now old and replaced) applications, such as WordPress and SlideShare.

If you and/or your company needs LinkedIn training, contact me (mark AT federaldirect DOT net).

Here is the  are two announcements from LinkedIn:

#1

http://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1160

Applications - No Longer Supported

Why are Applications no longer supported?

Last Updated: 12/10/2012 

 

At LinkedIn, we want to provide a simple and efficient experience for members like you. So from time to time, we take a look at our set of features to evaluate how they're being used by our members. We have decided to replace the LinkedIn Applications feature with the ability to add rich media directly to your profile.

#2
http://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/34326

LinkedIn Applications: Location of 3rd Party Content

How can I access the content from my 3rd party LinkedIn Applications?

Last Updated: 12/11/2012

 

LinkedIn Applications are being replaced with a new feature that lets you add media links to images, presentations, videos, and documents on your profile. You may click below to see how to access content for some of those applications:

My Travel by TripIt

You will be able to continue to post TripIt updates to your LinkedIn network and profile by linking your TripIt and LinkedIn accounts. Show me how.
 

Legal Updates by JD Supra

We are actively working with JD Supra to integrate the content from your JD Supra portfolio into your new LinkedIn profile. Expect to hear from JD Supra directly as we make this switch. In the meantime, if you’ve been posting your documents via the "Legal Updates" app, you can continue to update your network with your latest content by logging into your account on JD Supra.
 

Portfolio Display by Behance

Any of your Behance content you’ve uploaded using the Portfolio Display application will be automatically migrated to the Summary section of your profile once you opt into the newly redesigned LinkedIn Profile. If you were a user of this application, you should receive an invite to opt into the new profile design shortly.
 

SlideShare Presentations by SlideShare

Any SlideShare content you’ve uploaded using the SlideShare Presentations application will be automatically migrated to the Summary section of your profile once you opt into the newly redesigned LinkedIn profile. If you were a user of this application, you should receive an invitation to opt into the new profile design shortly.
 

Lawyer Ratings by LexisNexis

With this new platform, applications such as the Lawyers Rating Application by LexisNexis®Martindale-Hubbell® will no longer be supported. This application icon will no longer display on your LinkedIn profile. Be on the look-out for the next generation Ratings application from LexisNexis®Martindale-Hubbell® available in the near future.
 

WordPress by Automatic

If you self-host your WordPress site, you can enable auto posting to LinkedIn through the Jetpack plugin from Automatic.
If your site is on WordPress.com, simply enable the Publicize setting for LinkedIn from your WordPress.com Dashboard.
 

Box Files by Box

Displaying and sharing a file from Box in your new LinkedIn profile is easy. In order to display a specific file, all you need to do is paste the file’s direct link in the LinkedIn professional gallery. Simply preview the file as you normally would in Box, select File Options - Share - Get Link to File and then click on Direct Link to generate the URL. Paste it directly in the LinkedIn professional gallery.

Repeat the same steps for other files you’d like to add to your profile. As always, you can customize the sharing and access security settings on Box for the content you add to your LinkedIn profile.

Visit the Box support site for more information and a full list of supported file types.
 

We cannot automatically move content from the remaining applications to your profile. You can re-add that content to your profile using our new rich media feature.

LinkedIn profiles to change

A few minutes ago I received an email from LI. I am uncertain how this will impact me, all of us, etc. So stay tuned for commentary as i digest this....

Here is the email:

Hi Mark, On December 11, 2012, you'll be getting the new LinkedIn profile, which has a simplified design, provides deeper insights, and surfaces new ways to connect and build relationships. You'll also be one of the first to preview a new way to showcase rich content on your profile -- like presentations, videos, documents, and more. Now there are more ways than ever to tell your professional story on LinkedIn, and we're excited for you to try them out. As we roll out these changes, we'll also be streamlining our app offerings, so the following LinkedIn apps will no longer be supported on the homepage or profile as of December 11: LinkedIn Events You can find out more about these changes on our Help Center. We hope you like your new LinkedIn profile! Thanks, The LinkedIn Team AND HERE IS THE HELP CENTER CLICK THROUGH to the HELP CENTER: LinkedIn Applications: Location of 3rd Party Content How can I access the content from my 3rd party LinkedIn Applications? LinkedIn Applications are being replaced with a new feature that lets you add media links to images, presentations, videos, and documents on your profile. You may click below to see how to access content for some of those applications: My Travel by TripIt You will be able to continue to post TripIt updates to your LinkedIn network and profile by linking your TripIt and LinkedIn accounts. Show me how. Legal Updates by JD Supra We are actively working with JD Supra to integrate the content from your JD Supra portfolio into your new LinkedIn profile. Expect to hear from JD Supra directly as we make this switch. In the meantime, if you’ve been posting your documents via the "Legal Updates" app, you can continue to update your network with your latest content by logging into your account on JD Supra. Portfolio Display by Behance Any of your Behance content you’ve uploaded using the Portfolio Display application will be automatically migrated to the Summary section of your profile once you opt into the newly redesigned LinkedIn Profile. If you were a user of this application, you should receive an invite to opt into the new profile design shortly. SlideShare Presentations by SlideShare Any SlideShare content you’ve uploaded using the SlideShare Presentations application will be automatically migrated to the Summary section of your profile once you opt into the newly redesigned LinkedIn profile. If you were a user of this application, you should receive an invitation to opt into the new profile design shortly. Lawyer Ratings by LexisNexis With this new platform, applications such as the Lawyers Rating Application by LexisNexis®Martindale-Hubbell® will no longer be supported. This application icon will no longer display on your LinkedIn profile. Be on the look-out for the next generation Ratings application from LexisNexis®Martindale-Hubbell® available in the near future. WordPress by Automatic   If you self-host your WordPress site, you can enable auto posting to LinkedIn through the Jetpack plugin from Automatic. If your site is on WordPress.com, simply enable the Publicize setting for LinkedIn from your WordPress.com Dashboard. We cannot automatically move content from the remaining applications to your profile. You can re-add that content to your profile using our new rich media feature.

LinkedIn drops "Events", adds video advertising

Changes and new features at LinkedIn keep coming and it is important to stay as current as possible. I try to keep myself current and post the significant changes here. Back in early October I posted info on the then new "Endorsement" feature -

http://blog.federaldirect.net/2012/10/the-facebooking-of-linkedin-endorsing.html

It is important to stay current so you can leverage each new feature when it fits your business plan and budget. Keep in mind some of the features, like "Endorsements" and the enhanced "Company Profile" are free. 

If you need to catch up and learn to maximize the current power of LinkedIn, consider attending my December 11 session on LinkedIn at Capitol College:

http://blog.federaldirect.net/2012/12/december-2012-government-market-master.html

Now, on to the two most recent changes.

LinkedIn's relatively popular "Events" calendar is gone. Here is the announcement posted about 10 days ago:

LinkedIn will be shutting off the LinkedIn Events application effective November 26, 2012.

At LinkedIn, we want to provide a simple and efficient experience for all members. So from time to time, we take a look at our set of features to evaluate how they're being used by our members. Part of this process sometimes means we decide to eliminate a feature, so we can better invest our development resources in building more great LinkedIn products for members like you.

There are still many ways to spread the word about upcoming events. You can always share links about events from your homepage, or in relevant groups.

The removal of this feature impacts events producers and others providing niche information on this otherwise robust platform.

I don't think the "Events" feature is gone forever, but if it does return, I think it will do so as a paid service.

In an unrelated move, LinkedIn recently announced that you can now run video ads. Here is the announcement from October 23, 2012:

Have more to say than can fit in a text ad? Most advertisers do, which is why we’re excited to announce the global roll-out of video ads on our self-serve platform, LinkedIn Ads. Whether you have a complex B2B service to promote or an inspiring brand message, video ads are a way to educate, persuade, and inspire LinkedIn’s 175M members.

I have seen some video as profile enhancements. Some has been quite good and some has been, well let's say, embarrassing. This feature will be fun to watch as companies experiment with it, so stay tuned.

And if you want to excel on LinkedIn, attend the December 11 session!

http://blog.federaldirect.net/2012/12/december-2012-government-market-master.html
 

December 2012 Government Market Master seminars

The GOVERNMENT MARKET MASTER™ (GMM) CERTIFICATE PROGRAM provides comprehensive best practices, processes and methodologies for gaining invaluable insight on how to develop and sustain meaningful business relationships with the Federal Government. Delivered by top government, business and thought leaders, the Capitol College-GMM program is specifically designed by Business-to-Government (B2G) experts to benefit executives, managers and professionals who seek to successfully target, engage, win and sustain business with the Federal Government.

Call Mark Amtower or email at 301 924 0058 mark@federaldirect.net for registration information or group rates.

 

"Mark (Amtower) is the greatest. I have sent many of my marketing folks to his events. They all return inspired and smarter. He knows the industry and the market like no one else."

— Craig Abod, CEO, Carahsoft, Inc

Tues, Dec 11, 8AM-noon:  (GMM 208): LinkedIn for Government Contractors  

Federal government employees and managers are joining LinkedIn by the thousands and many of the government contractors are already here. LinkedIn is growing rapidly, yet most companies in the government market are not leveraging the power that it brings to the table. Learn how this tool can help your company stand out among your competitors and grow.

 What you will learn:

-          Why you need a LinkedIn strategy and how to create one

-          How to create a LinkedIn profile that attracts the people you want to meet and raises your Google rank

-          Developing a profile that attracts the right audience

-          Making the "right connections" (contractors and government decision makers)

-          Managing and communicating with your connections

-          Establishing you/your company as a subject matter expert or “thought leader”

-          Learn the tactics to stay “top of mind” in your niche and be recognized as a thought leader

-          How to select and leverage the best groups to grow your business

-          Which “apps” fit your strategy

-          And much more!

From the basics of developing a great profile to targeting contracting partners; finding, joining

and leveraging the right groups: making you and your company stand out from the competition; learn the top tactics from LinkedIn Black Belt Mark Amtower. Investment: $495 (use code GMM when registering for a 20% discount). You must be registered to attend. Group rates available.

 

Wed, Dec 12: 8am-noon: PR for Small Government Contractors

Being written about in trade publications gives a company more credibility in their market. Some small businesses get press coverage but most do not. Join the ranks of those who know how to get PR and get noticed!

What you will learn:

              -          What is newsworthy? for you; for the market for you- something worth posting on the "news" page of your web site for the market- something that other people could find useful

-          What are the elements of a news release for both platforms (internal and external use)

-          Now that you have a release, who do you send it to?

-          Is it worthwhile trying to "get to know' an editor or reporter?

-          How do you determine which publications are germane?

-          How do you know when you are ready for outside PR help?

-          How do you determine which PR firm to use?

 

From the ground up, you will learn how to get on the radar of key media outlets, how to approach reporters and editors and more from industry PR veteran Bill Holleran, with guest speakers Nick Wakeman (editor, Washington Technology), Mark Amtower and Joyce Bosc (Boscobel). Investment: $495 (use code GMM when registering for a 20% discount). You must be registered to attend. Group rates available.

 

Wed, Dec 12 1pm-5pm: The Competitive Advantage: Market Research for Small Contractors

There are many sources for business intelligence in the government market and many of those are free. Those with the best information are in better positions to win business.

 What you will learn:

 

–        What’s Out There?

–        Overview of Federal market databases: paid and free

–        Key Terms – You need to know and understand

–        Government sources: SAM, FBO, FPDS, Defense-Link and more

–        Commercial sources: GovWin, Deltek (FIS/Input), Bgov, Fedmine and others

–        What creates an “opportunity”?

–        Agency web sites

–        Understanding and using the data

 

Industry veteran Anton (Toby) Reut will show you how to find the information you need to develop a competitive advantage. Investment: $495 (use code GMM when registering for a 20% discount). You must be registered to attend. Group rates available.

 

Call Mark Amtower or email at 301 924 0058 mark@federaldirect.net for registration information.

 

 Coming in January 2013

 

(GMM 201) B2G “Go-to-Market” Strategy, Planning and Execution

 

(GMM 215) Business Development: Strategy, Planning and Execution  

 

(GMM 230) Simplified Acquisitions

 

(GMM 100) Government Marketing Best Practices

 

(GMM 208): LinkedIn for Government Contractors  

 

 

More GMM 2013 sessions tba

 

 

                                

Marketing observations

I exhibited at the Baltimore Washington Chamber of Commerce (BWCC) Annual Procurement Fair today (11/28/12) and I have a few observations from my travels to the event, and while I was there.

First observation: On the way to the event, I was driving down RT 32 in Maryland approaching Fort Meade. Just before turning onto the BW Parkway, I see a sign on the side of the road, one of those signs that tells you which company picks up the trash along the road.  While looking at the sign, Fort Meade and NSA are clearly in the background, and Praxis, an engineering firm with contracts at the Fort, has its name nicely placed on that sign.  A little road pickup and an absolutely great placement for your company name. Anyone approaching Fort Meade/NSA from the West sees your name every day. I need to approach from the East and see if they do it there, too. Very effective and huge on the reinforcing name recognition scale.

Second observation: At the event, most of the exhibitors were small business specialists from state and federal agencies. I was one of the few exhibitors that was not a government agency. A few people stopped by and asked if I could put them on a "bidders list". I explained that the Government Market Master (GMM) program was not a government agency, that we offered continuing professional education for professionals selling to the government. Their response: "We just need bidders lists" and they quickly moved on. Reminds me of Sisyphus, the king of Ephyra punished by being compelled to roll an immense boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down, and to repeat this action every day.  Too many people like this attending procurement events and thinking "all I gotta do is get on the right list..."  This is a myopic approach and it will not work.

Third observation: Exhibiting at targeted events still works. Several people stopped by to ask pertinent, intelligent questions about the GMM program, and some of these people will be attending seminars in December. Some people stopped by to say they had read Selling to the Government, or to say they like my posts on LinkedIn. I am certain more people know me from LinkedIn than from my books, radio show, articles or speaking engagements. It is a great tool if you use it properly.

Final observation: I spoke at the pre-Fair event a few weeks back. I teach people what to do before, during and after their first OSDBU/small business office visit. I have been doing this for BWCC for three years. This year one of the attendees was from Red Roof Inn. During the Q&A, they asked what they could do to raise the awareness of Red Roof for government and government contractors. I suggested putting the Inn locations on a map and listing all of the government facilities (federal, state and local) near each Inn. They exhibited at the Procurement Fair, AND they had a map with the government facilities listed under each of the three central Maryland Red Roof Inns - nearly 60 government offices and installations in all. Very cool, and a great "leave behind" fr all procurement offices, as they will be asked about local hotels.

btw, Red Roof is in the process of upgrading Red Roof Inns around the country and they are looking very good while maintaining a modest price.

Kudos to Praxis and Red Roof - and to Walt and all the folks at BWCC!


And fyi, GMM classes for December...

Tues, Dec 11, 8AM-noon:  (GMM 208): LinkedIn for Government Contractors  

Wed, Dec 12: 8am-noon: PR for Small Government Contractors

Wed, Dec 12 1pm-5pm: The Competitive Advantage: Market Research for Small Contractors

Call me for details - 301 924 0058, or send me an email:   mark@federaldirect.net

Learning Linkedin from a "Black Belt"

One of my clients recently attended a "Become a LinkedIn Expert" seminar where the instructor was not able to answer several basic questions posed during and after the session.

Kind of makes you go "Hmmmm..."

Whenever I see an announcement for a LinkedIn seminar, I look at the profile of the presenter. Rarely do I find see a profile that tells me this is someone who should be the instructor of the course.

My LinkedIn headline reads "Leading GovCon consultant, luncheon & keynote speaker, author & columnist, LinkedIn Blackbelt & sensei, radio host."

I don't make any of these claims lightly. I work hard at consulting, speaking, writing, interviewing and being a LinkedIn sensei.

When I coach individuals and companies on maximizing the value of LinkedIn, one area I spend time focusing on is the "headline", that area right under your name. If you do not edit this area, the default for the headline is your job title, which shows up on your profile a little further on. Rather than re-state the job title, I suggest emphasizing the skills you bring to the niche you serve, positioning yourself as a subject matter expert or professional.

My headline highlights five skill areas: consulting, speaking, writing, radio show (interviewing), and Linkedin skills.

The question about the headline that people ask most is how I got a Black Belt in LinkedIn.

The short answer is that it is self-awarded.

Several martial art disciplines were started by those who went out on their own. Although I gave it to myself, it was earned the traditional way: long hours, weeks, months of practice, developing the skills necessary to excel.

I have been on LinkedIn almost none years, since February 11, 2004, long before most people knew it existed. I am member # 222,445. To put this in perspective, I joined LinkedIn the week after Facebook was started at Harvard.

Although an early adopter, I did not adapt until 2007, when I read a book which changed my attitude about social networking: David Meerman Scott's the New Rules of Marketing and PR.

Scott's New Rules propelled me into the world of social networking so much so that he has been a guest on my radio show (see my headline...) 4 times, most recently just a few weeks back, discussing his new book, Newsjacking. My copies of  his books are highlighted and tabbed, and referred to regularly.

Mr Scott is a true social media guru and his books have been translated into dozens of languages and sold tens of millions of copies.  They are also fun to read.

But until early 2012 he was not on LinkedIn. He had explained to me that he wanted to be very good at a few things, not OK at all. That made perfect sense, as his books were geared to the general public, not simply business people.

But when he was invited to keynote the international LinkedIn Summit in India and he had to get on LinkedIn and get acclimated pretty quick. In part, this is how he did it (this is his recommendation for me on LinkedIn):

In early 2012, Mark coached me on how to make my LinkedIn profile stand out. His ideas for improvement were personal for me (not canned) and while they made perfect sense the moment he said them, I was too close to my profile to see the need for change myself. The difference is dramatic and worth 100X what I paid Mark for the service. I'll most certainly hire Mark again for a LinkedIn profile tuneup or to learn how to become a power user. February 21, 2012 .

If you need to develop LinkedIn skills for yourself or your company, check references carefully before you hire someone.

Or you can attend one of my upcoming LinkedIn sessions at Capitol College. The next one is December 11. email me for details. mark@federaldirect.net

Here is a link to my latest interview with David Meerman Scott:

http://www.federalnewsradio.com/79/3095688/Marketing-in-the-social-media-age


And, btw, one of the visible results of getting active on LinkedIn and working hard at being good was being one of seven profiles selected as the best on LinkedIn in November of 2009. LinkedIn experts Mike O'Neil and Lori Ruff ran a contest, Rock the World with Your Online Presence (also a book) that asked Linkedin members to select and vote on the best profiles.

Sustainable Visibility (The Waldo Factor, part 14)

Make no mistake about it: government contracting is a relationship driven market. You have to become visible. You are known by the right people or you are not.

Attaining and maintaining visibility in the market niche you serve should be top of mind. There are several paths you can take, but be certain you take a path that adds value to the community on a regular basis. Do not take a path that is more hype than substance.

You have probably run across the concept of "personal branding" more than a few times over the past few years. Each of us wants to believe that we are important and that we add value. The outward reception of that premise is not a given until the outward perception aligns what we think and how the market perceives us.

Once these are in tandem - and until that alignment takes place, there is no guarantee that others will pay attention to anything we say, regardless of how or where we say it.

Personal branding has been embraced by many looking for short-cuts to fame and fortune, but without adequate substance (an associated product or service), it leads nowhere because there is nothing to "brand".

There are no short-cuts. It takes work and dedication, persistence and perspiration. You need something that resonates with the prospect audience you wish to influence.

Winning business in the government market, any market, is about being visible to the prospects, partners and influencers in the buying process, visible in a positive way on a regular basis. Showing up on the radar on an occasional basis is not good enough.

This does not mean you have to be on the radar of the entire market. In all likelihood your products or services are not needed by everyone. It does mean that you need to define your niche carefully and find multiple ways to become more visible to your niche in a perpetual manner.

The best way to get on and stay on the radar is to add value to your market niche in as many ways as possible. Finding, developing and delivering content is the best way to do this.

There are many venues for developing and delivering content. Among these venues are:

- blogs
- webinars
- video
- white papers
- podcasts
- starting and otherwise participating in discussions on social networks like LinkedIn
- speaking (large group, small group, one on one)

In order to add value, the content must be germane to those you seek to influence.

It is always about relationships: if they know you, they are more likely to buy from you. The more visible you are, the more likely it is they know you. The more good content you develop, find and share, the more your "net worth" rises in your niche.

Five Areas Contractors Need to Watch in 2013

Five Areas Contractors Need

to Watch in 2013

We live in interesting times.

There have been bad periods for government contractors several times in the 30 years I have been advising companies in this market, but beyond any doubt, these are the strangest and by far the worst of any I have seen.

To successfully stay ahead of the curve, to be as competitive as possible, certain activities must be monitored on a very regular basis. These activities require an investment, sometimes of time, sometimes of money or other resources, and sometimes a combination of several.

But make no mistake, these activities must be closely monitored if you are to remain or become successful.

1-      Careful attention must be paid to how your prospects and customers are being driven in their purchasing. Strategic sourcing is expanding; low-price, technically acceptable is the rallying cry of bean-counters inside OMB and elsewhere; and fixed-price contracting looms. Each of these have serious downsides for the government, but in their cyclic mind frame, they won’t figure this out for the next four or five years. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of companies will be removed from various GSA Schedules by then, and many of those will go out of business as a result. Study these issues carefully and be prepared to deal with each as it encroaches on your niche.

2-      ‘Fraud, waste and abuse’ is yet another rallying cry from those who have little or no clue as to what “common commercial practice” actually is. That does not remove it as a threat to the contracting community. Make certain you are getting the proper legal advice in all areas of contracting: pricing, partnering, prime/sub relations, audit and other activities which raise red flags inside IG offices. I am not saying that contract fraud does not exist, but I am certainly implying that over-zealous government lawyers often don't have a clue as to how the business world operates.

3-       All things “small business”. Small businesses continue to seek sub-contracting and other arrangements with primes, and primes seek to find competent sub-contractors for specific bids. With the number of bills in Congress impacting small business, in particular set-asides, both small and larger business must take into account all the rules impacting how they can work together. It does not appear that Congress, despite all their lip service, will make this easier for anyone. But keep in mind that missteps here can lead to #2 above.

4-      To get away from the pitfalls for a moment, let’s look at social networking. With the temporary demise of some major events sponsored by the government, new ways must be found to identify and influence prospective buyers and other influencers. LinkedIn is particularly well-suited to this task, and while many contractors are here, along with the governmental counterparts, few companies use LinkedIn to its maximum advantage. Invest in some training to see if you are among those missing this particular boat.

5-      Thought leadership has been a hot topic for a few years now, but like social networking, many really do not get what it means and how to develop a thought leadership platform. While many claim to be thought leaders, but few can substantiate the claim. Thought leadership is differentiation on steroids. It is the development of expertise in a niche subject area, and the sharing of that knowledge base in multiple venues throughout a defined community. And still, it is more. It is ultimately the acknowledgment of that community that you are among the thought leaders. You can learn the elements, but you never claim the status without broad recognition from the community.

There are other areas that may need to be monitored for you particular niche, but these five cut across the entire market.

Pay careful attention to the first three and start acting on the final two.

Best of fortunes in 2013.

 

 

WashTech Redesign

A week or so back I visited one of my favorite web sites, www.washingtontechnology.com. And I was stunned.

What was previously an easy to navigate news site is now ... well, I'm not sure.

When you visited the WT site before, the news regarding the government contracting community was clearly visible- front and center, with the "Top Stories" list on the right (most read and most emailed stories), breaking news down the middle, and on the left side the major categories for the GovCon market. It was easy to find what you were looking for.

I liked the "most read/most emailed" feature as it let me know what was trending in the market. It is gone.

Now we have the top navigation bar with Nick Wakeman's blog (worth reading), contract news and Top 100 news. The we have one visible opinion column until you scroll down and get past the ads on the right side.

Before when you read a story, there are "related stories" next to or under the text. I liked that as I could get more information on a specific topic. I don't see that now.

Remember when Coke launched "New Coke"? I don't find the new design to be a user friendly experience compared to what was there before and I think this redesign will lead to less traffic and shorter visits to the site. 

It has certainly made my visits shorter. I want the Classic WT.

10/18/12 UPDATE

WashTech has revoved the "one story above the fold" look and now it is relatively easy to scroll down and see some news. Still not what it was, but much better than their first pass.

The Facebooking of Linkedin: Endorsing "Skills and Expertise" : Take 2

Last week I posted my first impression of the new "endorsement" feature on LinkedIn.

On first pass I admit to thinking the endorsement of "skills and expertise" feature was pretty neat. So I wrote that in this blog. 

But I threw in a caveat that some LIONs (open networkers) and others would devalue this currency by seeking hundreds of endorsements from those they do not know. This is already happening.

I posted the blog link into more than 40 LinkedIn groups and the feedback started to come in. Some thanked me for explaining what the heck was going on, others started questioning the value of the tool, the further Facebooking of LinkedIn.

Facebook has the "Like" button which seems to be attached to everything: groups, people, events, pets, music, halitosis and haggis. It is too easy to like something, anything, on FB.

Many of those responding to the discussions on LinkedIn think it should be harder to endorse people in a professional setting, preferring the "Recommendation" method.

I have to agree.

I think it is important to point out that some people have skills worth recommending, and it should take more than a click of a button to say why I feel this way.

I have "recommended" 343 people on LinkedIn, people I respect and who have added value to my professional skills set or otherwise helped me along the way, friends like David Powell, Scott Heller, Olga Grkavac, Dendy Young, Richard Dean, Ann-Marie Clark, Tom Hewitt, Nick Wakeman, Max Peterson, Tom Tweedie, David Meerman Scott, Guy Timberlake, Sheila Schatzke, Bob Davis, Michael Keating, June Jewell, Lisa DeLuca and hundreds of others. It is a long list.

While that number may seem high, I have been a LinkedIn member since February 11, 2004 and have been in business as Amtower and Company since January 1, 1985. Lots of people have helped me along the way, and many continue to do so.

As I state in my second book, Why Epiphanies Never Occur to Couch Potatoes, I prefer to acknowledge the contributions of others while they are still with us, not after they are gone.

I like LinkedIn. I teach classes on using it, coach people and companies on maximizing the value of it, and use it myself on a daily basis. It is a great business tool.

But I hope that the powers managing LinkedIn resist temptations to "dumb it down" and further emulate Facebook.

This is a business tool and a business network. Let's keep it professional.

In Epiphanies, I warn against falling for every shiny rock that is in your path.

Every day we are confronted by offers that seem to be shortcuts to success. We get assaulted by these from all media- television, the radio, in publications we read, phone calls we get, the people we see in the parking lot, the grocery store or an elevator. Too many people, it seems, are looking for angles, not purposes; a quick and easy ride to wealth, not for the satisfaction of a life lived well. So when the shiny rock offer comes along, we are susceptible.

The endorsement feature can be a shiny rock. If you choose to use the endorsement feature, use it wisely. But also take the time to use the recommendation feature as well and truly acknowledge the contributions of others.

Linkedin: Endorsing "Skills and Expertise"

I attended a couple networking functions this week and several people asked me what's going on at LinkedIn, particularly with getting endorsements.

 

A new LinkedIn feature has  some people confused. Early in 2012 LinkedIn did the beta for “Skills and Expertise”, where LI members could claim expertise in defined areas, like marketing, sales, business development, PR and many others, including skills you could create yourself.

While similar to "Recommendations" these are easier because instead of writing a real recommendation, you just have to "click."

The official LinkedIn explanation can be found by scrolling over the "?" on the right side of the "Skills and Expertise" location on a profile:

 

"Endorsements

What skills and expertise does (name) have? You can endorse your connections to give them recognition.

Click on the + to add your endorsement."

Simple, right?

But when a social network adds a function without announcing and explaining what it is and the accompanying value,  people get confused and some get paranoid.

Generally, LinkedIn has been pretty good at adding features, and I think this one will become popular, but an announcement would have helped. If they made one, most of us missed it.

I think this will catch on soon. Indeed, many LinkedIn "regulars" have already caught on and others seem to be following. Those with more popular profiles seem to be gathering lots of endorsements.

Downside? Many of the LinkedIn "Open Networkers" (aka LIONS) will be racing to see who can get the most endorsements, thereby devaluing the currency.

Some LinkedIn members actually deserve hundreds of endorsements, but many will blatantly asked there thousands of connections to endorsement them.

 

Regarding writing (content) about the government market (The Waldo Factor, part 13)

On October 4, 2012 I was at an industry reception hosted by 1105 Government Media. Several of the people I met mentioned having read my articles or thoughts on multiple forums: LinkedIn, Washington Technology, my blog, even a couple of my books.

It's always flattering when someone tells me they like what I write but most of all I just like that they took the time to read what I wrote.

"Content is king" has become a catch phrase in the marketing world, and as far as it goes, it is true.

A more accurate statement would be that relevant content delivered on a consistent basis to a targeted market over a long period of time can make you stand out in any crowded field.

Writing and editing what I write helps me to think and evaluate the market we live and work in.

Putting my thoughts in various public forums affords me the opportunity to get feedback from multiple sources that I would not normally get. This feedback makes me think not only about what I have written, but about what else I can write.

In my seminars, starting in 1991, I started talking about the value of content delivered via newsletters before I started writing my own.

Shortly thereafter I co-wrote an industry newsletter with Terry Miller. It came out sporadically for about 4 years. From that, The Amtower Report was born in the mid-1990s, which was a hard-copy monthly. Early versions were rife with typos until I had my wife and in-laws proof read the copy for typos and unclear sentences. The newsletter improved greatly as a result of other eyes editing.

In 2002 The Amtower Report became a weekly email newsletter. Then it went bi-weekly, then monthly, and when I started blogging, I retired the newsletter. The e-newsletter ran from 2002-2008 (http://www.federaldirect.net/newsletterarchives.html) and became popular (over 4,000 subscribers) because of the heavy dose of attitude that was present in nearly every issue. Attitude is OK if you are not mean and you are factual. Occasionally Olga Grkavac or Anne Armstrong would let me know when I was going too far and crossing that line to "mean" or simply letting my ego run wild.

During the 1990s I started writing for several publications: Reseller Management, Government Technology Reseller, DM News, Catalog Age, Federal Computer Week,Target Marketing, Government Executive, BtoB and others. For the last three years I have written a monthly column for Washington Technology.

In 1998 the first occasional Amtower Off White Paper came out, followed by 24 more through 2004. Among these, FOSE, the "Big Bag Theory", The Creation of Myths and Marketing Myopia (http://www.federaldirect.net/offwhite21.html) is undoubtedly the most popular, documenting the size of the bags given away during the premier trade show in our market. The "battle of the bags" was discussed for a long time.

In 2005 I published my first book (Government Marketing Best Practices), and there have been two more. The latest, Selling to the Government, was published by John Wiley in December 2010.

Writing also contributed to WFED inviting me in early 2007 to host the first radio show anywhere to talk about the business of government. Nearly six years later Amtower Off Center is still on the air.

Writing has led to me being interviewed or quoted in over 200 publications and being invited to speak at over 150 industry events.

What does this have to do with you?

Exposure and name recognition.

Writing has helped me differentiate myself from most marketing professionals, consultants, and agencies and others in this market.

Why? Because I have been doing it longer and in as many venues as possible.

While most marketing consultants have blogs, few if any write for publications, or have written for more than a few years. Fewer still have written books.

Generating content that is germane to your market niche is critical to your growth.