If that funny little “in” logo looks familiar but you’ve never given it much thought, let me introduce you to the social media secret weapon for businesses: LinkedIn. With over 100 million users spanning over 200 countries, the professional world is buzzing about this internet powerhouse and how to use LinkedIn in business.
LinkedIn has been around since 2002 and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Unlike other social media platforms, LinkedIn isn’t about silly videos or breakfast foods – it’s about building your professional network. You might think of the site partly as a sort of “digital Rolodex” for all those business cards you might collect through networking events. LinkedIn is also a powerful tool for driving traffic to your website and getting sales leads. As a business owner, the professional connections you make are one of the most important things you can do for your business. If you work in B2B, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be on LinkedIn. Here are a few ways and reasons you and your company can get started using LinkedIn for business.
Introduce Yourself
The best way to go about getting your business started on LinkedIn is to start with yourself. Complete a profile for yourself, WITH a photo! People like to do business with those that they know, like, and trust. For the same reason that you may go out for coffee with a potential business partner, adding a photo to your LinkedIn profile is a way of demonstrating that you are a real, trustworthy person with whom your prospects should want to do business.
Introduce Your Business
Meet and Greet
Make Professional Connections
Ever want to run a crazy business idea past other professionals before you try it out? Ever dream about being able to pick your competitor’s brain on a topic? LinkedIn has a Groups feature that lets you join in conversations related to a certain topic or interest. There are groups based on geographic region, industry, and general interest… Join groups relevant to your field and take part in the discussions. Contributing to these groups is an excellent way to build relationships with other professionals while subtly promoting your business.
Build Your Professional Reputation
More and more, customers are going to the internet seeking reviews or recommendations before making a purchase. If you offer a service, ask your clients (past or present) to write you a recommendation or endorsement explaining how the service you’ve provided has helped them. These recommendations can be made public and will turn up in Google searches for your name and your company.
Are you already on LinkedIn? Meet and connect with the Web123 team on LinkedIn!