posted by Public Relations
With the right tools and applications, LinkedIn can be a smart marketing tool to promote your business, showcase your expertise and connect with colleagues, clients and customers.
Launched in 2003, LinkedIn was designed for professionals, creating a new way to connect. With more than 50 million members in more than 200 countries, this social network is a popular platform for creating and growing a professional contact base.
There are a myriad of possibilities for using LinkedIn to create or further promote your brand, to market your business and communicate with your professional network.
You are Your Brand
Savvy online users are utilizing forums, blogs and social networks for background information on companies and business leaders. Users are also turning to social networks to directly connect with their favorite organizations.
LinkedIn provides that outlet for both companies and their customers. As a leader of your organization, you can promote your brand by simply creating and maintaining a profile.
Below are 10 steps for leveraging LinkedIn to benefit you and your business.
10 steps for enhancing your LinkedIn presence:
1. Upload a photo
When creating a profile, provide a picture for users to easily recognize when searching for your profile. A picture adds a personal touch and gives your profile more authenticity.
2. Complete the entire profile
Your LinkedIn profile should serve as a hub for all of your professional information. Utilizing LinkedIn’s tools and step-by-step instructions can effectively build connections and gain recognition.
3. Link to your business
Make sure your company has a LinkedIn presence and link to it through your personal profile. A LinkedIn company profile can be a jumping point for a company brand by allowing companies to add organizational history, job listings, specialties and their Web site URL. A company presence also provides a platform to share videos, Web sites, articles or blog posts.
4. Utilize applications to share ideas and messages
Business leaders can use their personal profile to share work and expertise by adding applications such as the Box.net Files, which enables you to share files, and SlideShare Presentation, which uploads PowerPoint presentations. Applications can provide additional outlets for communicating and connecting with your contacts.
5. Do your homework to grow your network
Your network tells a story. Many people on LinkedIn only connect with professionals with whom they have an existing relationship. A sizeable amount of connections adds credibility to your brand and allows you to grow your reach.
To build your network, ask direct contacts to introduce you to people in their network. Having a common connection adds credibility in making a new contact. Always read LinkedIn’s Network Updates e-mail messages to stay informed of new people to add to your network.
6. Share your personal side too
Keep your network updated by sharing status updates about your latest project or incorporating recent blog posts or tweets into your personal profile. Applications such as the Amazon Reading List, allow you to share what you’re reading and the books you enjoy while adding personality and an outlet for communication with others.
7. Recommendations are your currency
Recommendations are a valuable feature that gives insight into your skill and expertise. An easy way to start collecting recommendations is to recommend others; chances are they will return the favor. Also, don’t hesitate to ask customers, clients, colleagues and employees who can genuinely discuss their experience with you.
8. Integrate with other marketing materials
To maintain consistency, integrate LinkedIn into other marketing materials and social networks by including your LinkedIn profile address in e-mail signatures and on your Web site.
9. Remember keywords when adding content
LinkedIn has an established relationship with Google, allowing users to easily search organizations with keywords such as name, location or industry. When creating profile content, keep in mind the keywords you want to be known for and incorporate into your profile. Consistent wording and messages will improve your search ranking.
10. Check in frequently
Respond to others in a timely fashion and make sure information is up-to-date, relevant and valuable.
LinkedIn has created resources to help set you apart from your competitors and incorporating these tools into a personal profile will allow you to connect with colleagues in a targeted way. Remember that you must dive in and interact with others to get the full benefit of the social network as a marketing tool.
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3 Comment(s)
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Sean said:
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| Nice tips for Linkedin. I'm sure lots of people sign up, but forget to complete their profile. I would add using common keywords in your profile related to your industry is also helpful in getting found by colleagues and professionals. Optimizing your summary can bring up your profile in searches for job roles or specific skills.
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| December 07, 2009 aA 11:07 AM
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Christina said:
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| Sean, thanks for your comments. Good additions with optimizing your summary and the keywords!
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| December 07, 2009 aA 11:14 AM
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Jason Therrien said:
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| Also, when you add a link, just don't keep the "My Website" language, use the name of your company or blog. It will help with search engine optimization.
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| December 07, 2009 aP 6:02 PM
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