Create Lasting Links with LinkedIn
By Serena - CEOI feel so fortunate to be attending the Social Media Success Summit 2009 over the next four weeks. I am learning so much about the importance of using social media as part of a successful marketing campaign. Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are so much more than just socializing. They are sites that can and should be utilized to generate business success.
I had the opportunity to listen to LinkedIn expert Jason Alba, who is the author of the bestselling book; I’m on LinkedIn – Now What??? and founder of www.jibberjobber.com. Listening to the information Jason provided opened my eyes to the countless opportunities we business owners have on LinkedIn to get ourselves in front of contacts who can help our businesses grow as well as attract potential clients.
Jason brought up excellent points and suggestions to help attract business and get noticed on LinkedIn. I’d like to share these points with you:
Your Profile Matters!
Don’t think you can skimp on your profile. Pay attention to what it says about you and your business. Put yourself in other people’s shoes and ask yourself, “would I hire me?”
Set up a Poll
Through the use of online polls, LinkedIn has come up with more ways to get you noticed. These polls will notify your direct contacts and ask them your question. You can then rate the answer.
Start up a Group
Choose a topic and start up your own group. Be sure to use your logo in the group name and include a link to your business. Members of this group will attract users to you as your logo will appear on their profiles when they join the group.
Be Active in Groups
In addition to starting your own, join other people’s groups! Participate and get your advice and opinions heard! Just remember not to be too intrusive as you may risk turning people off.
Recommend People
If you give, you may receive. Provide a recommendation for someone on their LinkedIn profile and you may get one back. If not, at least you have placed yourself and your business on someone else’s profile, creating more opportunity for you to be noticed.
Practice “Six Degrees of Separation”
You know the phrase, six degrees of separation? Well this phrase is true and more apparent than ever in the world of social networking. LinkedIn allows you to easily view who your connections are connected to and therefore provides you with the opportunity to contact prospects you are interested in and who may be interested in what you have to offer!
Take Advantage of LinkedIn Answers
LinkedIn Answers is such a simple way to get recognized. Not only does asking questions and answering questions get you noticed, but it helps you to establish yourself as a professional.
Want to learn more tips on how to use LinkedIn to your full benefit? Read my article, LinkedIn Strategies for Business Success.
Great tips and very nicely written! LinkedIn will soon become the most effective way of building your professional career and creating a personal brand. However, one will have to invest time in learning the effectiveness of this site and ways to use it properly.
In addition to the above tips, I would also suggest a new book called “How to REALLY use LinkedIn” by networking expert Jan Vermeiren. You can find a free lite version at
http://www.how-to-really-use-linkedin.com/
I must be using Linkedin wrong. I spent all of my time on Facebook. I am not looking or a job. My referrals come from my friends, family, people that see or talk to me on a regular basis through twitter and facebook updates.
The audience is bigger on facebook and that’s where my target market chooses to hang out. But maybe I have to give Linkedin a shot.
Good suggestions. Thanks for the update.
The 3 top sites are Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin. They all have their added benefits. I highly suggest using all 3 of the sites to market your business. There is a method to social media marketing for success and the problem is that there are not many people that know how to use it effectively.
Here are a few steps that can help.
Step 1. Do it often.
Step 2. Don’t’ do it to try to gain sales! Become known and sales can come later. In other words build your friendships first.
Step 3. Give useful tips, resources and advice.
Step 4. Learn from others
Step 5. Status updates for Facebook and Linkedin should only be 1-3 times per day. Twitter should be anywhere from 5-10 times per day.
There are many great opportunities out there so make friends and referrals will come your way!
you can use facebook for your business promotion to a whole new level. Make your Facebook Business Page and advertise on facebook only. Put up some catchy phrase that would attract anybody and he/she would follow you. Constantly update your facebook page dont just leave it be and give users access so they can take part in the dicussions wall posts etc. you can even make your page badge and use affiliate linking to promote your facebook business page.
Timesvr.com