LinkedIn is an often under-utilised social media resource, aimed at businesses and professionals. Yet, it has the capacity to offer a lot of useful features to help an organisation prosper. Here are ten tips that every small business should know about using LinkedIn.
It's more than just a resume site
LinkedIn is more than just a social media site where you can post your resume or company profile. This is just the very basic. Spend time getting to know what LinkedIn can do for you and your business and focus on what you want to achieve from it. Create a complete and informative profile of your business and what you have to offer, with a good quality cover photo.
Keep content updated
Many people begin their LinkedIn relationship with enthusiasm, but then neglect it over time, so that their content becomes outdated and incorrect. If you are a small business using LinkedIn as a networking tool, then make sure you keep your content up to date.
See what your contacts are up to
Small businesses often strive to increase connections with clients and prospects, so it's worthwhile taking your time to keep a check on what your contacts on LinkedIn are up to. Keep in touch with them on a regular basis - you never know when a fruitful opportunity might arise from this.
Use it for SEO
LinkedIn is an invaluable tool to use for search engine optimization prospects, so make the most of it by adapting your content with relevant keywords that will boost your profile up the search rankings.
Use it for advertising
With a global audience of thousands at your fingertips, you might well consider using LinkedIn as a way to advertise your products or services. LinkedIn Ads can prove more cost-effective than other forms of advertising.
Co-ordinate your content
As a small business, you won't have limitless time to devote to social media sites, so why not co-ordinate all your social media content, so that what you post on one site, will automatically appear on the other? You can use web tools to enable you to connect your social media accounts with each other, without needing to post the same content yourself. However, make sure whatever you post on the less formal social media sites isn't going to be detrimental to your image if it appears on LinkedIn.
Request reviews
Testimonials can boost the profile of a business, especially a small one just starting out in establishing a reputation. Politely request customer reviews so that you can add them to your profile on LinkedIn.
Get involved in groups
Take part in group discussions that are relevant to your line of business and make the most of the networking and business opportunities that they might bring. Don't blatantly advertise your products and focus on just a few specific groups rather than join every group going. Groups are also valuable for researching different markets and opinions.
Use LinkedIn Answers
Make the most of this feature, which allows you to answer relevant questions asked by other members. This helps to increase your profile and expertise, as well as being a great networking opportunity.
UPDATE: Unfortunately, LinkedIn Answers is no longer supported. However, there are still many other ways to pose questions and facilitate professional discussions via the LinkedIn Help Center, Community Help Forum and by using the "posting module" on your homepage.
Search for professionals
As a small business, you may not have the manpower, resources or skills to complete all tasks associated with your operations. But you can use LinkedIn to search for specific business services that you may need. Often, these services may be people you are already connected with or contacts of your connections.
About The Author: This article was provided by Amy Elliott on behalf of Automatic Access, supplier of door technology systems to UK companies.
Did you find this article helpful? Please let Amy and myself know by leaving us your valued comments.
Would you like to guest post on the blog? Please use the Contact tab above to get in touch if you write business-related articles or articles on the topics of Internet Marketing, Affiliate Marketing, Social Media Marketing/Optimisation (SMO), Blogging, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) or Search Engine Marketing (SEM).
Related articles:
LinkedIn Groups For Marketing: How To Create The Buzz And Get Noticed
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Until my next post on Wednesday on how to use guest blogging to build your online reputation, have a great week ahead!
© 2013. This article is DMCA protected. Republication is prohibited.
It's more than just a resume site
LinkedIn is more than just a social media site where you can post your resume or company profile. This is just the very basic. Spend time getting to know what LinkedIn can do for you and your business and focus on what you want to achieve from it. Create a complete and informative profile of your business and what you have to offer, with a good quality cover photo.
Keep content updated
Many people begin their LinkedIn relationship with enthusiasm, but then neglect it over time, so that their content becomes outdated and incorrect. If you are a small business using LinkedIn as a networking tool, then make sure you keep your content up to date.
See what your contacts are up to
Small businesses often strive to increase connections with clients and prospects, so it's worthwhile taking your time to keep a check on what your contacts on LinkedIn are up to. Keep in touch with them on a regular basis - you never know when a fruitful opportunity might arise from this.
Use it for SEO
LinkedIn is an invaluable tool to use for search engine optimization prospects, so make the most of it by adapting your content with relevant keywords that will boost your profile up the search rankings.
Use it for advertising
With a global audience of thousands at your fingertips, you might well consider using LinkedIn as a way to advertise your products or services. LinkedIn Ads can prove more cost-effective than other forms of advertising.
Co-ordinate your content
As a small business, you won't have limitless time to devote to social media sites, so why not co-ordinate all your social media content, so that what you post on one site, will automatically appear on the other? You can use web tools to enable you to connect your social media accounts with each other, without needing to post the same content yourself. However, make sure whatever you post on the less formal social media sites isn't going to be detrimental to your image if it appears on LinkedIn.
Request reviews
Testimonials can boost the profile of a business, especially a small one just starting out in establishing a reputation. Politely request customer reviews so that you can add them to your profile on LinkedIn.
Get involved in groups
Take part in group discussions that are relevant to your line of business and make the most of the networking and business opportunities that they might bring. Don't blatantly advertise your products and focus on just a few specific groups rather than join every group going. Groups are also valuable for researching different markets and opinions.
Use LinkedIn Answers
Make the most of this feature, which allows you to answer relevant questions asked by other members. This helps to increase your profile and expertise, as well as being a great networking opportunity.
UPDATE: Unfortunately, LinkedIn Answers is no longer supported. However, there are still many other ways to pose questions and facilitate professional discussions via the LinkedIn Help Center, Community Help Forum and by using the "posting module" on your homepage.
Search for professionals
As a small business, you may not have the manpower, resources or skills to complete all tasks associated with your operations. But you can use LinkedIn to search for specific business services that you may need. Often, these services may be people you are already connected with or contacts of your connections.
About The Author: This article was provided by Amy Elliott on behalf of Automatic Access, supplier of door technology systems to UK companies.
Did you find this article helpful? Please let Amy and myself know by leaving us your valued comments.
Would you like to guest post on the blog? Please use the Contact tab above to get in touch if you write business-related articles or articles on the topics of Internet Marketing, Affiliate Marketing, Social Media Marketing/Optimisation (SMO), Blogging, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) or Search Engine Marketing (SEM).
Related articles:
LinkedIn Groups For Marketing: How To Create The Buzz And Get Noticed
If you found this or any of my other posts helpful, don't forget to share the posts to your favourite networks using the toolbar below or by using the "+1" and "Share" buttons located at the bottom of each post.
As ever, if you want to stay up to date with the latest blog posts, don't forget to follow via Google Friend Connect (button on sidebar), on NetworkedBlogs, via Email (maximum of one email per day), on Facebook and Google+ or by subscribing to our blog feed at:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/DereksHomeAndBusinessBlog
You can also follow me on Twitter @djones1509, Google+ and on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/djones1509
https://plus.google.com/104849975941505117776
Until my next post on Wednesday on how to use guest blogging to build your online reputation, have a great week ahead!
© 2013. This article is DMCA protected. Republication is prohibited.
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