Facebook and Twitter have been the social media platforms of choice for internet marketers, and with great reason. Social Media marketing using Facebook and Twitter has proven to be a great success for businesses all over the World. But with the two mediums hogging most of the spotlight, it is beneficial to look at what other sites such as LinkedIn can also do for your business.
Fresh off its Entrepreneur of the Year award, LinkedIn was created in 2003 as a way for business professionals to connect (or network) with each other. Users can create profiles which act as virtual resumes of past work and experiences and then find contacts in the same industry they are in or looking to get into. Businesses can also sign-up to give in-depth information of their business' profile and industry. Companies can even let users know when in fact they are hiring (and in which locations). LinkedIn is a playground of professionals from a variety of industries, and this is why your business has great potential to expand.
Why putting your business on LinkedIn is a good idea
Not many small businesses know the benefits of using LinkedIn to their advantage. Here are mainly a few:
• Networking with industry professionals: This benefit should be reason enough to put your business on LinkedIn. No other social networking platform connects you better to your peers than LinkedIn. LinkedIn even suggests contacts for you to connect with in your industry. Businesses in your industry all face the same problems, but networking on LinkedIn will offer you different ideas on how to solve them. Your business has much to gain from networking.
• The opportunity to establish credibility within your industry: Another great aspect about LinkedIn is that with the forum and exchange of ideas and problems, you have the opportunity to build ethos by solving industry issues. Helping professionals with their problems will go a long way for your business. Add as much as you can to the conversation and people will view your business in an authoritative light.
• Stay updated on your industry: Join a group of professionals and add some new contacts to your network. Doing this will ensure you stay updated on your industry - learning new and improved ways to run your business along the way. Make sure your profile is public so people can get to learn a little more about your business as well.
• Researching your business' industry: LinkedIn is an absolute gem for industry research and it is in your business' best interest to use this to your advantage. Find new hires, discover new trends or find the most influential people in your industry. Good LinkedIn research allows you to learn about your current and future competitors. A step on the path to being the best is learning from the best. Use LinkedIn to find the best and learn from them.
• Promote your site's content: Like Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn also has a newsfeed that streams to everyone in your network. Use this opportunity to drive traffic to your site's blog. Keep everyone in your industry updated on what you're working on and they may help you in the future.
• Increased awareness: The goal of any business on the internet should be to increase your business' awareness. You are already on Facebook and Twitter. Why not tap into the 100 million+ users on LinkedIn? Use LinkedIn to grow your business by letting people know your business exists.
LinkedIn can also be a powerful marketing tool for businesses. Take advantage of the platform using these strategies and you will give yourself the best opportunity to succeed.
Is your business on LinkedIn? Tell us about how you use it below!