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A LinkedIn Tip That Has Helped Me Tremendously

by bhuff85
16 replies
Recently, I jumped in on the LinkedIn bandwagon after hearing others have some great success with it. I didn't know much about it a few weeks ago, but I have quickly learned the basics and haven't looked back since.

The main reason I am on LinkedIn is to promote my local directory. I do free basic listings and have several options to upgrade to other packages and various advertising.

Right now, I'm trying to increase awareness, build the brand and get people to subscribe to my e-mail list. I want to be able to have a strong presence before I hit up ANY business owners. The more I have to offer, the easier it will be to sell.

The LinkedIn Tip That's Helped Me Increase Traffic and Subscribers

One thing that makes LinkedIn unique is that everyone is there for one reason - to network. A key component to increasing your network is to join up with various groups.

After building out my profile, I requested to become a member of roughly 7 local groups that are tied into the market and demographic I'm targeting. Once I become accepted, I wrote up a simple post more or less announcing my directory and invited members of the group to check it out. It wasn't salesy or overly promotional. Just a quick, to the point post.

After a few days, I started to see some traffic funnel in and some subscribers. I thought that was pretty cool, but it wasn't until a couple days after that when the traffic really exploded!

Here's why: LinkedIn sends out an email update with all of the new & recently posted discussions to EVERY member of a particular group!

Do you see the potential there? It's almost like borrowing a list of targeted subscribers and sending out your own advert at NO COST! If you do this right, it's an excellent way to pull in some excellent and highly qualified traffic without much work.

If you plan on joining groups and following the same idea, let me suggest a couple quick things to help you get started on the right track:

- Create a great headline that catches attention, but don't make it salesy or overly promotional

- "Invite" members to check out what you have to offer. It's much more genuine than "go check out this or that".

- Interact with others and their discussions, too. It helps build trust amongst other members and can help open up potential doors.

If you're not having much success with LinkedIn, give this a shot and see what it can do for you!
#helped #linkedin #tip #tremendously
  • Profile picture of the author moodykitty
    Thank you I may try that
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  • Profile picture of the author NiceGuyMedia
    Awesome! I have been using LinkedIn the last couple months as well. After learning some of the finer techniques it has turned in to a lead generation machine for me

    I wish you continued luck

    -Ryan
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  • Profile picture of the author ADukes81
    I have been on LinkedIn for 2+ years, but have done nothing with it. The last 2 weeks I have been all about learning LinkedIn (buying WSOs, software, reading blog posts, etc.) and I see a GOLD MINE!

    I picked up 2 leads just yesterday from LinkedIn.

    great tips and I plan to use them myself. Will let you know how it goes.
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  • Profile picture of the author bhuff85
    Thanks for the feedback guys. I think you'll find it extremely helpful, especially for any local gigs and connections you're trying to bring in.

    Another thing I forgot to mention was that if you happen to generate some good discussion on your thread within your group, LinkedIn will send out ANOTHER email showcasing that topic as a popular discussion to check out. Had that happen on my thread within a group of around 3,800 members and when I got the email, traffic numbers and subscribers creeped up yet again.

    Here's to more leads, connections and traffic!
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  • Profile picture of the author imsolutionsgroup
    Originally Posted by bhuff85 View Post

    Recently, I jumped in on the LinkedIn bandwagon after hearing others have some great success with it. I didn't know much about it a few weeks ago, but I have quickly learned the basics and haven't looked back since.

    The main reason I am on LinkedIn is to promote my local directory. I do free basic listings and have several options to upgrade to other packages and various advertising.

    Right now, I'm trying to increase awareness, build the brand and get people to subscribe to my e-mail list. I want to be able to have a strong presence before I hit up ANY business owners. The more I have to offer, the easier it will be to sell.

    The LinkedIn Tip That's Helped Me Increase Traffic and Subscribers

    One thing that makes LinkedIn unique is that everyone is there for one reason - to network. A key component to increasing your network is to join up with various groups.

    After building out my profile, I requested to become a member of roughly 7 local groups that are tied into the market and demographic I'm targeting. Once I become accepted, I wrote up a simple post more or less announcing my directory and invited members of the group to check it out. It wasn't salesy or overly promotional. Just a quick, to the point post.

    After a few days, I started to see some traffic funnel in and some subscribers. I thought that was pretty cool, but it wasn't until a couple days after that when the traffic really exploded!

    Here's why: LinkedIn sends out an email update with all of the new & recently posted discussions to EVERY member of a particular group!

    Do you see the potential there? It's almost like borrowing a list of targeted subscribers and sending out your own advert at NO COST! If you do this right, it's an excellent way to pull in some excellent and highly qualified traffic without much work.

    If you plan on joining groups and following the same idea, let me suggest a couple quick things to help you get started on the right track:

    - Create a great headline that catches attention, but don't make it salesy or overly promotional

    - "Invite" members to check out what you have to offer. It's much more genuine than "go check out this or that".

    - Interact with others and their discussions, too. It helps build trust amongst other members and can help open up potential doors.

    If you're not having much success with LinkedIn, give this a shot and see what it can do for you!
    Glad to hear all the success you are having with LinkedIn...but one question comes to mind. You say you're posting in groups which is like "borrowing lists" and you see the amazing potential this has. Why rely on other people lists when you can build your own? Create your own group and I promise you...the leads you're generating now will only double if you setup your group properly!
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    • Profile picture of the author bhuff85
      Originally Posted by imsolutionsgroup View Post

      Glad to hear all the success you are having with LinkedIn...but one question comes to mind. You say you're posting in groups which is like "borrowing lists" and you see the amazing potential this has. Why rely on other people lists when you can build your own? Create your own group and I promise you...the leads you're generating now will only double if you setup your group properly!
      Good question. While I do plan to create a group at some point, this is why I'm doing what I'm doing now:

      1) These are established groups with several thousands members right off the bat. That's a lot of eyeballs that I can get access to VERY fast.

      2) I'm inviting these members to check out my local directory, which ultimately has led to people subscribing, thus building MY list (which is my main goal at this point).

      3) It's giving my brand exposure and spreading the awareness. This way, when I do go to create a group and invite members, my face and brand are already somewhat "familiar", which can increase the chances of success I'll have with the group that I put together.

      Eventually, I'll get to creating my own targeted group, but joining several local groups first has already helped set the foundation for what's to come.
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      • Profile picture of the author imsolutionsgroup
        Originally Posted by bhuff85 View Post

        Good question. While I do plan to create a group at some point, this is why I'm doing what I'm doing now:

        1) These are established groups with several thousands members right off the bat. That's a lot of eyeballs that I can get access to VERY fast.

        2) I'm inviting these members to check out my local directory, which ultimately has led to people subscribing, thus building MY list (which is my main goal at this point).

        3) It's giving my brand exposure and spreading the awareness. This way, when I do go to create a group and invite members, my face and brand are already somewhat "familiar", which can increase the chances of success I'll have with the group that I put together.

        Eventually, I'll get to creating my own targeted group, but joining several local groups first has already helped set the foundation for what's to come.
        Agreed, this is a great short-term effort...but what happens if the owners of these groups decided to kick you out for posting "spam" on their walls? I'm not trying to be negative with you...but the more you can rely on efforts that are under your control the better for your business. Relying on others can have a devastating effect if you lean on them too much because tomorrow they might be gone!

        Again, not trying to be negative...I have just seen too many business owners rely on "others" and eventually they are left scrambling when something changes that they can't control.
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        • Profile picture of the author bhuff85
          Originally Posted by imsolutionsgroup View Post

          Agreed, this is a great short-term effort...but what happens if the owners of these groups decided to kick you out for posting "spam" on their walls? I'm not trying to be negative with you...but the more you can rely on efforts that are under your control the better for your business. Relying on others can have a devastating effect if you lean on them too much because tomorrow they might be gone!

          Again, not trying to be negative...I have just seen too many business owners rely on "others" and eventually they are left scrambling when something changes that they can't control.
          I agree. Depending on one specific method or platform to promote and generate leads is like building your business on quicksand. That is why this is not the only method I use to increase brand awareness, promote my local directory and obtain leads.

          When it comes down to it, I'm simply using it as a platform to make an announcment to a group I'm targeting. I tried something and saw results from it, therefore I figured some other folks here could get some usage out of it.

          At the end of the day, this method is generating interest in my directory, bringing me in targeted email subscribers and helping increase the reach of my brand. Like I said though, it's just one piece of the overall marketing puzzle - not a full and complete method that one should rely on solely for leads and traffic generation.
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  • Profile picture of the author Preeti
    Awesome awesome stuff Bhuff...so glad to hear about your success on LinkedIn..and awesome strategy with the posting and have this go out to other members in the weekly update email.

    Another neat thing--if you contribute quite a bit to the group, you'll be ranked on the 1st page of the group page as a "top influencer" which just helps in better positioning yourself and greater exposure for your profile!
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    • Profile picture of the author bhuff85
      Originally Posted by Preeti View Post

      Awesome awesome stuff Bhuff...so glad to hear about your success on LinkedIn..and awesome strategy with the posting and have this go out to other members in the weekly update email.

      Another neat thing--if you contribute quite a bit to the group, you'll be ranked on the 1st page of the group page as a "top influencer" which just helps in better positioning yourself and greater exposure for your profile!
      Thanks Preety.

      As far as the emails, I know they send out more than one update weekly. If you're active on other discussions that are visible in those updates, it only increases your visibility as well. That's a win-win in my book!

      Good tip on becoming a top influencer! Just another way to spread your face and brand to get others familiar with it
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  • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
    Great post, I have used similar but I am not trying to get anyone on a directory. I found I can't be spammy and just ask questions to the group or offer them something free to engage them. I love LinkedIn...
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  • Profile picture of the author Niks24
    Nice Idea,

    I will surely try this out as I have been using Linked in for some time but really not able to generate any thing out of it.
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  • Profile picture of the author rackemup
    Originally Posted by bhuff85 View Post

    If you plan on joining groups and following the same idea, let me suggest a couple quick things to help you get started on the right track:

    - Create a great headline that catches attention, but don't make it salesy or overly promotional

    - "Invite" members to check out what you have to offer. It's much more genuine than "go check out this or that".

    - Interact with others and their discussions, too. It helps build trust amongst other members and can help open up potential doors.
    Hi and thanks for the tip. Sounds like a winner. On the bolded part, could you give an example of how to "invite" as opposed to "go check out"? Thanks again.
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    • Profile picture of the author bhuff85
      Originally Posted by rackemup View Post

      Hi and thanks for the tip. Sounds like a winner. On the bolded part, could you give an example of how to "invite" as opposed to "go check out"? Thanks again.
      No problem. Glad you found it useful!

      I don't know why, but saying something like "I invite you all to come take a look around and let me know what you think. I'd love to hear your comments and suggestions, too" presents the message better. People like to be "invited" to things, rather than have someone tell them just to "check it out". I've also had people give feedback as well.

      Like I said, it's all a matter of how you present it and what group you're targeting. Most of the groups I belong to are all about local events or things to do locally, which is why I've received a great response rate.

      I also see a lot of other group members doing similar stuff as well. For example, one chiropractor was giving out free adjustments and seemed to generate a good response from it.

      Give it a shot, play around with it and see what it can do for you. It's definitely worth it!
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  • Profile picture of the author Macky Kyle
    Great tips! Thanks for sharing!

    Macky
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  • Profile picture of the author Nail Yener
    This is a nice idea, thanks for sharing. Maybe experienced LinkedIn users will say this is nothing new, but I never really thought of using LinkedIn for marketing until I read your post. I recently published a local directory and I already found a lot of groups that I can join to invite people to check it.
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