Get Linked with LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the perfect website for business professionals. It’s a social networking platform specially designed for business professionals to connect. It’s a great opportunity to connect with professionals who are in the same or similar industries. You can find job postings from companies that are hiring in your line of work. There are several features that someone can use to their advantage. Below is a list of a few key steps you can take to start your very own LinkedIn profile.

1.     Fill Out your profile completely. It’s important that you be clear to explain exactly who you are or what your company is, who your clients are and how you help them. Doing this allows customers to immediately know what you offer and why they should contact you. Use keywords in your profile for search engine optimization.

2.     Upload a professional picture.

3.     Add your website(s) and Twitter account.

4.     Make it a habit to share interesting and engaging information.

5.     Don’t be afraid to brag a little. List your experience and accomplishments. This will give people the opportunity to find a reason to connect with you.

6.     Create and participate in groups. This allows you to connect with others and build reputation. Get engaged in the groups where your clients and potential clients participate as well as peer groups to get related and keep your finger on the pulse.

7.     Share your profile link on other networks. Customize your LinkedIn URL with your name and avoid the long version. Include a link back to your website with your information.

8.     Get endorsements and recommendations. It’s basically testimonials on LinkedIn from people you’ve worked with before. It’s oaky to request customers to give you written recommendations or simply endorse you or your company for its skills or expertise. I would advise you to reciprocate and do the same for them. 

Celebrities & Apps

Social Media is more useful and powerful than ever right now. Celebrities are constantly creating and thinking of new ways to take their personal brands to the next level. Kicking things up a few notches, app developers are collaborating with celebrities to create a new type of celebrity branding and public relations with the personal brand app. According to the Daily News, the average smartphone contains 41 apps that its owner uses on a regular basis. By the end of 2013 it is estimated that there will be 1.82 billion active smartphones in use globally and within the next two years, more than 89 billion apps will have been downloaded.

Billboard features a story on Trey Songz “Reinventing the Fan Club” in its May 11^th issue. Trey Songz is a super talented singer-songwriter and actor. In November 2012, he launched the app called “Trey Songz – The Angel Network (TAN).” The creators of the Los Angeles startup Handmade Mobile Entertainment brought the app to life. The app works like this:

*Join chat rooms or converse through private messages with members or buy/spend 100 credits to send Trey Songz a private message.

*Buy credits and send Trey's Angels gifts to make friends.

*Bid credits and get your profile picture on the Instant VIP board for six hours. The higher you bid, the higher your position becomes. It's highly possible that Trey will give you a shout out or send you a message or gift.

*Contests are posted quite often for chances to win concert tickets, prizes, meet & greets and more.

Billboard states that The Angel Network app earns move than 50K a month. Today there are 50,694 members on the network's app. Songz could potentially make $250,000 a month in gross sales if he could get 300,000 of his 15 + million followers on other social networks to join TAN, according to estimates from Handmade Mobile.

I’m a Trey Songz fan and I downloaded the app on its debut but I use it sporadically. The Billboard article neglected to mention that all the money earned from the app goes towards Songz’s “Angel with Heart Foundation.” Also, you can enjoy the app perfectly without spending any money. Members can earn points by making posts and sharing them via Facebook and Twitter. Gaining new followers will earn you points also. Spending money on gifts and bidding on VIP spots are just perks. 

It will only be a matter of time before more celebrities join the movement and create apps of their own.

The Recording Academy

I’m sure you’ve all heard the saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Working in the entertainment business it’s vital that you constantly network and make connections. Networking creates a higher chance of opportunities being presented to you simply because of a previous connection. Anyone that’s working in or aspiring to work in the music industry, I suggest joining the “Recording Academy.” The Recording Academy is the backbone to producing the Grammys for more than 50 years. The Recording Academy is leading organization for honoring achievements in the recording arts, and supporting the music community. There are three memberships available to join: Voting Member, Associate Member & Student Member.

Voting Member: This classification is for creative and technical professionals who qualify in at least one of the categories of eligibility. All recordings must be commercially released in the U.S. either through traditional distribution channels or recognized online retail settings.

Associate Member: This classification is for individuals who are creative and technical professionals with fewer than the required credits for Voting membership and other recording industry professionals such as executive producers, writers, publishers, attorneys, record label staff, music merchants, music educators, and artist managers who are directly involved, on a professional basis, in the music business.

Student Member: Students, primarily between ages 17 to 25, who are currently enrolled in a college, university or trade school with a desire to work in the recording industry upon graduation. Student members do not need to be majoring in music or in a music program to qualify for Student Membership.

There are a variety of active members who are singers, songwriters, engineers, producers, managers, and a wide variety of professionals working in the industry. I’m apart of Grammy U, and it’s an awesome platform for networking, educational programs and performance opportunities.

For more information visit http://www.grammy365.com