Many businesses use LinkedIn to expand their social networking, make connections and generate new leads. But how do you start?
1. Get your personal profile right first
Before you start using LinkedIn for your business you need to get it right as an individual user. Your profile should include your full name and a good image of yourself. Add information about yourself, your website details and employment history. Then encourage people to endorse and recommend you.
Use the status updates to share what you’re doing, any relevant insights and useful content.
2. Network
View LinkedIn as an online networking tool. Look at the possibility mint database of connecting with others, and consider following up with personalised messages. Keep an eye on what people are doing and sharing, and comment and add to the conversations where you can.
3. Join and contribute to group discussions
LinkedIn is full of groups. Look to join relevant industry groups but also consider those outside your industry which may help you grow your business. So if you’re an accountant you could join not only accounting groups, but also manufacturing groups to offer accounting advice to manufacturers.
The trick to making groups work for you is based around sharing your knowledge and helping people, rather than selling direct. Do this well and you will build your brand and reputation, and so increase the likelihood of people coming to you.