Are you utilizing LinkedIn?
If you think it’s just another social site, think again. The site is a gold mine if you are looking for ways to help your business grow!
LinkedIn has a very different purpose from other social sites such as Facebook and Twitter. It was created for business people to connect with each other, share information, networks, and ideas.
It is SO much more!
Here are the key reasons I think LinkedIn is such a beneficial site:
- Building relationships WITHIN your industry. Sometimes what we don’t know hurts us. LinkedIn can help you find associations in your particular niche that you might be unaware of. Knowledge is power.
- Recommendations. It’s no secret that recommendations from satisfied clients can help you grow your credibility and your bottom line. Any place you have an opportunity for your satisfied customers to give a shout out is a good place! Folks can get quick evaluations of your work and can help you acquire new clients through online recommendations.
- Securing collaborative partners. Because LinkedIn is business oriented, you are very likely to find that person interested in partnering with you on that new project.
- Blog Links. Link your blog to your LinkedIn profile and folk can easily click over to your site. An added bonus: Your blog posts will show up on your LinkedIn page also. So, your potential clients can quickly scan and see your content. Your posts can also be shared from within LinkedIn. Hint: Another reason to write quality content.
- Groups. Part of the magic of LinkedIn. You can join groups where your expertise is needed, start your own group to grow your community, or find a group that will help your knowledge base grow. Again, these are serious business people and the conversations tend to stay on track. Not much fluffy chit-chat going on.
- Promote your events. Have a live event, webinar, teleseminar, etc. coming up? You can easily let your contacts know.
- Endorsements. The newest tool on LinkedIn, this new-kid-on-the-block makes it oh so easy for others to zoom in one your specific skills to recommend with one click. Easy peasy.
175 million (and growing) members!
How’s THAT for an awesome statistic? LinkedIn is the happening place for business owners and top executives to build their networks within their industries. As an entrepreneur, you need to be there.
Peace,
-Martha
p.s. We are all in this together. . . . . don’t forget to connect with me! http://linkedin.com/in/marthagiffen
Martha
Martha Giffen is a speaker, consultant, and best-selling author of "Be Social Be Rich." She coaches biz owners on how to reach more customers in less time, and dishes it all out with a warm southern flare!
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Martha,
LinkedIn is becoming on of my favorite places to hang out.
Our conversation a few weeks ago left me jumping right in there to add keywords, clean it up and otherwise ready myself for connecting!
It’s still a work in progress, but I’m getting there.
Thanks for the great tips!
~Christine
Christine Brady recently posted..Your Target Market WANTS to be on Your List [Part 2]
Thanks for these excellent tips Martha… It feels like you’ve been listening into some of my conversations about Linked-In of late… I know that it is THE place to be for clients / business / recognition but have been at a bit of a loss as to what to do. I’m going to come back to you post and implement your suggestions!
Thanks Martha! I’m just getting around to exploring LinkedIn now and your post will be a big help with that.
Helena Bowers recently posted..Six Steps To Cleaning Up Your Unfinished Projects
Thanks for saying that Helena! I appreciate it
Martha recently posted..Is Twitter in Your Social Media Marketing Mix?
Argk! I’m on Lindedin but must confess to not using it properly. Wowsers! It is hard to keep up with all the media sites, involves so much time… how to do it all!
That should be your next post, Martha!
Norma Doiron @Where Aspiring / Budding Business Owners Start, Grow or Strengthen Their Business Online recently posted..Using WordPress to Rocket Your Social Media Marketing Hub
Thanks for the blog post inspiration! What I advise my students is don’t try to do it all. Focus your attention where your target audience is. That makes more sense. (If that doesn’t work, hire a social media manager! LOL)
Martha recently posted..Why Keyword Stuffing Is Not A Smart Blogging Idea
Always love all the hints you give Martha. Thanks
You’re SO welcome Kate! Thanks for reading . . .
Martha recently posted..The REAL Secret to Online Business Success
I agree, and am going to be using LinkedIn More thanks for the reminder..
Good to know Carly!
Martha recently posted..Are You Really Cut Out To Work From Home?
Excellent information on Linked In, Martha!
I am having a technical problem with it right now, but I still highly recommend it.
Hope you get that straightened out soon Sally!
Martha recently posted..How One Good Habit Can Make A Difference
LinkedIn is incredible and it is really highly regarded by the search engines too, it has a super strong domain and reputation. I use it for a personal profile and a company page, it is fantastic!
Thank you for this great post I just wanted to comment and say that I totally agree with everything you say and I love your blogs, you rock!
p.s I know I should have signed in with my LinkedIn account but Google + holds all the keys (I mean links) to my other social sites (sometimes it is just so hard to chose your sig website lol)
Thanks again
Your words are so true. Yet some people on LinkedIn believe it allows them to spam others with their thinly veiled attempts of selling under the disguise of just sharing information.
Leanne Hoagland-Smith
Leanne Hoagland-Smith recently posted..Smart Selling Is Just Answering the Question
Thanks for making us aware of that Leanne. Yes, using the email system needs some improvement.
Martha recently posted..Why Keyword Stuffing Is Not A Smart Blogging Idea
You’re welcome, Olga! Remember to your your keywords in your profile
Martha recently posted..Are You Really Cut Out To Work From Home?
Great info right on time; I have plans to work on my LinkedIn profile this afternoon. Thanks Martha for the great info
Olga Hermans recently posted..Revelation and Response: Your One-Two Punch For Victory