LinkedIn for Nonprofit Professionals: So You Have a Profile, Now What?

Author: Jono Smith on 13 June 2011 | 0 Comments

Tags: Social Media

You got the memo from your executive director requesting that everyone from your organization join LinkedIn. So you created a profile, started accepting connection requests. But now what? Do you use your profile to its full potential? LinkedIn can help you network with other nonprofit professionals and reach potential constituents that are interested in getting involved with your organization. Follow these tips for using this powerful networking tool and and you’ll be on your way to effectively promoting your organization.

• Make sure your LinkedIn profile is updated. List your full job history and any associations you are a part of or awards you have won. Be sure to provide a link to your organization’s website or blog. Include how much money you have raised for your organization, the names of the events that you've worked on, and how much money those events raised or how many participants those events had.

• Create a profile summary. Describe your history, what you currently do and any long-term aspirations you have. The summary section personalizes your profile and shows you work as a part of a group of interesting, driven people, not just a vague or impersonal organization.

• Headlines are important. They are the first thing potential connections see in their searches, and they can make a strong first impression. Include your organization’s name in your headline.

• Include relevant keywords in your headline and summary so you’re more likely to show up in people searches.

• Personalize your profile with a photo.

• Customize your public profile URL. A customized URL will make it easier for potential new connections to find you in the future.

• Add your organization’s RSS to your profile. This way, connections who view your profile will also see updates from your organizations.

• Promote your LinkedIn profile in your email signature. It will provide more exposure for you and your organization.

• Use your member or activity feed to share what’s new. This feature shares activity such as status updates, new connections and recent recommendations. Set your feed’s visibility to everyone so your connections can see what you have been doing.

• Join LinkedIn groups. It will show your interests and goals and may provide potential relationships with those who share similar affinities in the future. For instance, Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council, Chronicle of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Professionals Forum all host active groups.

• Monitor who views your profile to network with potential new donors or volunteers. Use this feature to see who is interested in you and your organization, and then take the initiative to reach out and engage their interest. To find this, click on “Home,” and you’ll find “Who’s Viewed Your Profile” on the right-hand side (underneath “People You May Know” and ads).

• Upload your address book to find new connections that are already on LinkedIn. It will help you expand your existing network.

• Promote yourself by answering questions in your area of expertise. When done tastefully, your professional responses act like free advertising for your organization.

• Provide recommendations for your connections, and ask them to do the same for you. Recommendations boost your credibility, and vouching for the work of others makes them the more likely to do the same for you.

By optimizing your personal LinkedIn profile, you can increase awareness for your organization and expand your network of potential donors. Are you already doing all of the things listed above? Check out these Fast Company tips for the advanced LinkedIn user.