Much has been said about how social media helps with being connected to your target audiences, customers and business partners. To this effect, Twitter and Facebook play a great part in keeping you connected on a social level, but LinkedIn provides a more personal approach to your business network. With 135 million members worldwide, 77% of which are aged 25 or above, and with emphasis on building relationships and advance business, LinkedIn has proven to be THE way to network online.
If you new to it, here are some valuable steps to follow to literally get yourself (and your company) out there…
1. Create a wow factor
This first tip is all about creating a great first impression. For people to find you remotely interesting, you need to tell them what you are all about, so the full completion of your profile is paramount. Remember, you’re trying to build a network here, so make sure you show yourself at your best and show people quickly who you are. We are all super busy these days and if people are not impressed by what they see instantly, they may just click off.
2. Connect, connect, connect
Whilst on Facebook and Twitter we try to be a little careful when it comes to who we connect with, on LinkedIn the rule is to pretty much connect with everyone. Remember that this network consists of 135 million members, therefore, the more you connect, the more are the chances of you creating business opportunities for yourself and your company.
3. Be nice
This tip is all about you recommending others. One teeny tiny recommendation can potentially change someone’s life and could bring a company major business, so be nice and think of others. They will certainly reciprocate and think of you.
4. Share expertise
LinkedIn is full of various groups and there will certainly be at least one group (if not thousands) linked to your industry or business. Join them. The groups are a mini social network within the bigger network and they will help you portray yourself and your business as experts in your field. Remember, the more you get involved, the more you are likely to get out of it.
5. Get your company out there
Once your profile is all singing and dancing, create one just as good for your company. On this, you may add videos and provide information about what you offer and also about your employees. Many people use LinkedIn to search for professionals in a field, so make sure you use words that will come up on your profile when people do a search.
See? It’s not that difficult, is it? It may require a bit of time in the beginning and it will require some time afterwards to keep it going in the best way, but it’ll be worth it. You’ll be connected, you’ll be networking and, bonus, you’ll probably also have fun.
Marilia Spindler is an Account Executive at Happy Creative, a full service marketing agency based in Blackpool, Lancashire. To learn more or contact us please go to www.happy-creative.co.uk
