How to use LinkedIn to grow your business.
With social media management being a large part of my business, one of the most common statements I hear from potential clients is "I should use LinkedIn, but I don't."
My response is always the same; "Damn straight you should!"
LinkedIn is one of the most effective social platforms to grow your business, IF you use it correctly and to its full potential.
Many people are under the illusion that LinkedIn is a stuffier, business-y version of Facebook but this couldn't be further from the truth. It's actually a professional networking site where valuable connections in your industry are just sitting waiting for you to connect with them to, potentially, take your business to its next level.
If you're not yet using LinkedIn, you should be - and here are a couple of tips from an Inc.com article (which I refer to A LOT) to get you started.
Offer to connect with people you don't know.
This could be seen as a bit of a faux-pas in the social media world, but not if done correctly. Connecting with relevant individuals in your niche who share the same interests in your industry is perfectly OK. You can bet that most people are on the site for the same reason, to make valuable connections.
Connect with people you can benefit.
LinkedIn is a two-way-street and you might come across people who you can help too. Reach out to them and begin what could become an extremely valuable collaboration.
Don't over-expose yourself.
Keep your profile short, sharp, concise and relevant. It's a professional site and people are looking to see how you can help them in a professional capacity - hobbies and school stuff is really quite irrelevant.
Don't use it like Facebook.
Posting memes and fun quotes is OK once in a while but don't let it be a common theme for your profile. You're not there to wow people with your wit and gain likes - you're there to make valuable business connections.
Export your LinkedIn contacts.
Two words - List. Building.
LinkedIn profiles will always have an email address associated with them and this is a great way to get that info onto your own list.
I know that MailChimp will add a disclaimer to any emails that you send to a LinkedIn contact which says that they're receiving your email as you're a LinkedIn contact so your privacy is covered there too.
Here is the article and it's definitely an interesting read if you're looking at dipping your toe in the waters and using this valuable platform to create worthwhile connections with like-minded people.
Inc.com - LinkedIn
There is just one thing that I'll add to this list from my own experience and that's that you need to be committed.
It's pointless setting up a profile with a 'question-mark head' and only using it for the occasional browse.
Post updates, articles and make it a habit to check your feed and connect with people at least a couple of times a day. As with everything, the more prominent your presence, the higher your success rate.
Has anyone got any success stories from using LinkedIn regularly? Or any tips and tricks to add to this list?
My response is always the same; "Damn straight you should!"
LinkedIn is one of the most effective social platforms to grow your business, IF you use it correctly and to its full potential.
Many people are under the illusion that LinkedIn is a stuffier, business-y version of Facebook but this couldn't be further from the truth. It's actually a professional networking site where valuable connections in your industry are just sitting waiting for you to connect with them to, potentially, take your business to its next level.
If you're not yet using LinkedIn, you should be - and here are a couple of tips from an Inc.com article (which I refer to A LOT) to get you started.
Offer to connect with people you don't know.
This could be seen as a bit of a faux-pas in the social media world, but not if done correctly. Connecting with relevant individuals in your niche who share the same interests in your industry is perfectly OK. You can bet that most people are on the site for the same reason, to make valuable connections.
Connect with people you can benefit.
LinkedIn is a two-way-street and you might come across people who you can help too. Reach out to them and begin what could become an extremely valuable collaboration.
Don't over-expose yourself.
Keep your profile short, sharp, concise and relevant. It's a professional site and people are looking to see how you can help them in a professional capacity - hobbies and school stuff is really quite irrelevant.
Don't use it like Facebook.
Posting memes and fun quotes is OK once in a while but don't let it be a common theme for your profile. You're not there to wow people with your wit and gain likes - you're there to make valuable business connections.
Export your LinkedIn contacts.
Two words - List. Building.
LinkedIn profiles will always have an email address associated with them and this is a great way to get that info onto your own list.
I know that MailChimp will add a disclaimer to any emails that you send to a LinkedIn contact which says that they're receiving your email as you're a LinkedIn contact so your privacy is covered there too.
Here is the article and it's definitely an interesting read if you're looking at dipping your toe in the waters and using this valuable platform to create worthwhile connections with like-minded people.
Inc.com - LinkedIn
There is just one thing that I'll add to this list from my own experience and that's that you need to be committed.
It's pointless setting up a profile with a 'question-mark head' and only using it for the occasional browse.
Post updates, articles and make it a habit to check your feed and connect with people at least a couple of times a day. As with everything, the more prominent your presence, the higher your success rate.
Has anyone got any success stories from using LinkedIn regularly? Or any tips and tricks to add to this list?
Creative Newcastle SEO team, out to rank small businesses.
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