LinkedIn and the multimedia messaging system. Are you using it correctly?

Recently, I have seen an uptick in the amount of multi-media messages I am receiving in my in box.  For those of you who are not aware of this feature, LinkedIn has an option for you to send up to 50 people a detailed message, all at the same time, with the click of a button.  

Many members are utilizing this feature for all the wrong reasons.  The best advice I can give regarding this matter is this......

 Make sure you send a message that is targeted to your audience.

Far to often when, I receive one of these messages and observe that to many members have left the conversation already, or are pleading to please be taken of this list.  If I see this, I immediately delete the message.  Now, with the new format you must first leave the message, then you can delete the message.  

If you are utilizing this feature correctly, the members you send this multimedia message to should be expecting the message.  Or, the headline of your message should be written in a way which peaks the curiosity of your audience, to encourage them to open and read your content.    

"Do not send a generic message to members at "Random," or you can be reported for sending spam." 

To better understand what this multimedia message system is intended for, let me explain a few ways in which I believe this messaging system can benefit members when utilized properly.    

* If you are a LinkedIn marketer and you have something of value to add to a group of people, this is a great way to send a multimedia message up to 50 members in a specific industry to channel them through your sales funnel. 

* If you are a recruiter and you wish to notify applicants of their upcoming interview on a certain day.  If these applicants are professionals, they will surely have a LinkedIn profile, right?

* If you are a professional speaker and have an upcoming speaking engagement, you can remind members of the date and time for your event. Those members attending the same event will appreciate the reminder.

* For departmental use, to notify different team members within your organization of an upcoming meeting or event.

Recently, LinkedIn changed the way in which you can send a multimedia message and I had to conduct my own research, through trial and error to find the best way to make this work on the new platform.  Here are my findings....

On your computer or laptop, go to "My Network," then "Connections."  Then choose a person you would like to send a message to and click on "send message."

Next, you will see where you can send this person and individual message.  In the "white area" of this box, right click, to "open link in a new tab."

Go to the top of your computer and click on the new tab link you just created. This will open up the same person to send a message to.  The only difference this time, is the fact you will see a blue hyper link under their name that says, "Include others on this message."

This is where you will be able to add up to 49 other members you wish to send a multimedia message to.  Type in their names, then your content and push the send button.

Also please note, if you are a big fan of networking with your mobile device, you can now send a multimedia message that way, providing someone has already sent you a LinkedIn message previously.   Follow these simple steps listed below to send your multimedia message.

While you are reading the message, click in the upper right hand corner on the person's profile picture.

Then click the box that say's "Add Someone To Conversation."

Make sure to enable or disable the "Include conversation history Tab." 

 Listed below is a recent conversation I had with two members, Joe Caruso and Michael (Mike) Webster.  They are responsible for a LinkedIn group called, "Franchise-Info Sponsored."  This group has the biggest and widest reach in Franchising across LinkedIn.  If you are fortunate to have one of your long form blog posts featured in their group, you will most likely have an increased volume of traffic to your post.  

This, is exactly what happened with my latest post.  Joe Caruso, was so impressed with the content and clarity of my post, he offered to share my post on their site.  Shown below is a screen shot of my conversation with Joe, thanking him for adding my post to their group.  In this private conversation with Joe, I asked him to say "hello" to Michael for me.

Joe being the savvy person that he is, immediately sent a multimedia group message to include Michael into our conversation and it looks like this...

@ Mike- Bill says hello.  

Do you see the power in the usage of the multimedia messaging system.  Joe did not have to send Mike a private LinkedIn message.  He was able to add Mike and show me at the same time, that he had passed along my message. Thanks, to Joe Caruso and Michael (Mike) Webster for granting me permission to share this private conversation for instructional purposes.  

Wow, isn't LinkedIn an amazing platform.  I believe through the power of networking, anything is possible.  As always, likes and comments are always welcomed.  And as someone famous once said, "sharing is caring."

 About the author:

Bill Brinkle, The Global Uniter, is the world famous e-book author who wrote, "How to build a World Class 30k LinkedIn network in less than one year, with little or no social media experience.  A comprehensive strategy for building 0-5k connections."

He is regarded as one of the most influential leaders on LinkedIn, with a massive following of over 61,000 connections.  For more information regarding his incredible e-book, for building a world class LinkedIn network,  please visit his official website listed below.

www.theglobaluniter.com