LinkedIn is a specialty social networking site. It’s much more specialized than the others due to the audience it attracts. LinkedIn is specifically for professionals. If you’re looking for a job then it’s a must. However, business owners looking to attract prospects and connect with industry professionals can also utilize LinkedIn in a productive and prosperous way. LinkedIn is a platform that has worked exceptionally well for me to reach my target audience. So let’s take a look at this platform a little closer.
What Is LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with 225 million members in over 200 countries. It’s a social networking site that offers professionals a number of benefits and features. It began in concept in the living room of the owner and was launched in 2003. Ten years later it is a thriving social networking site that can be used in a number of business building ways.
The Many Features and Benefits of LinkedIn
Company Pages – The first element of LinkedIn is that it allows business owners to create Company Pages. Unlike Profile Pages, Company Pages comes with analytics as well as an ability to share meaningful content and promote your business. If you have a business and are on LinkedIn I’d advise taking this extra step.
LinkedIn groups – This feature may be one of the most beneficial because it allows you to join groups that are specific to your audience and your industry. Within a group you can connect with other professionals and prospects to build an audience. Groups support conversations, article posting, polling, and display group icons on your Profile Page to further enhance your connections. If you feel comfortable enough with LinkedIn you can start your own group.
Advertising – Like many social networking sites, LinkedIn offers advertising options for members. You can reach a targeted audience with ads that you can test and track for best results.
Marketing solutions – LinkedIn offers a professional membership that goes above and beyond the standard membership. You can then utilize features like their Marketing Solutions program that also lets you create specific messages for your audience through targeted content marketing.
Integration – Finally, LinkedIn is a site that understands you want to make the most of your social networking efforts. You can integrate many social media management sites with your LinkedIn pages. Integration saves time and maximizes your results so you can write and schedule posts, manage comments, and monitor analytics from one place. However, being active in the conversations that occur in groups for instance is key to having success on LinkedIn.
Creating Content for LinkedIn
It’s important to remember that while you can integrate your social marketing efforts, LinkedIn has a unique audience. It often makes sense to create unique content for LinkedIn followers. They tend to be professionals and their needs may be different than your general audience.
People tend to trust the information they find on LinkedIn more than other sites. This simple fact can help you build tremendous authority and credibility in your niche. If you’re not using LinkedIn to grow your business or you’ve let your profile lag, consider giving this top rated social media site the attention it deserves.
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Thanks for the reminder of LinkedIn. It definitely feels like the step-child of social media in so many ways. However, when you wrote about the special needs and caliber of LinkedIn, it drew me in again. I appreciate having the differences and variety in the varying social media outlets.
I admit to being terrible at LinkedIn. It is a very uncomfortable place to hang out, so I resist. Thanks for reminding me of its benefits.
I have to say, of all the social networks, my LinkedIn sadly sits at the bottom step, like a forlorn kitten waiting to come in from the rain. After reading this and talking with Debbie Saviano at the last Elevate event, I’m willing to let that kitten in and give it some love. The main problem was knowing what to do with it. Thanks Wanda!
My LinkedIn profile used to be in the top 5% but I have fallen off dramatically since then. I found the amount of time it took to participate in groups was taking away from key marketing activities I needed to get going. As I gain more business I haven’t made time to get back in and participate. And, I’ve never gotten any business from LinkedIn either so I am still hesitant about how much time I dedicate. It is a balancing act and I know using LinkedIn is part of my future so time to find a schedule that works!
Aly I have found many followers and clients just from sharing my blogs in LinkedIn groups. You might want to give it a go again just trying that. After all your blogging anyway. 🙂
Wanda, wow, I had no idea LinkedIn offered advertising. Have you tried it? Is it affordable? Does it work? I’ll have to revisit, I liked LinkedIn when I was in academic work… hmmm, you’ve given me a lot to think about. thanks! Angela
Hi Angela,
Yes, I’ve tried LinkedIn advertising and I like the way you can follow stats and use a split test Ad while doing so. If you have a decent following on LinkedIn and want to advertise a product or an event I would recommend it. 🙂