Friday Five: 5 Ways to Leverage LinkedIn for Your Business

LinkedIn is one of the most powerful social media tools for business. It provides insight into how other organizations operate, allows for extensive networking opportunities and provides a platform to showcase your professional knowledge and expertise. If you’re a business owner, LinkedIn also provides numerous avenues to create brand awareness, attract the best talent and engage with consumers. To better help you take advantage of LinkedIn, be sure to tackle these five ways to leverage LinkedIn for your business.

1) Updated Workforce Profiles

One of the most important features of LinkedIn is the individual profile. Profiles are at the heart of LinkedIn, and that’s why it’s imperative to ensure everyone in your organization has an updated, accurate profile. Remember, your workforce represents your organization as a whole. Check out 5 Simple Ways to Make Your LinkedIn Profile Pop for suggestions on how to keep an updated and impressive LinkedIn profile.

2) Network, Network, Network

LinkedIn was launched in early 2003 for the purpose of professional networking. Because of this foundation, the platform is best leveraged by those who build a network of colleagues, thought leaders and industry professionals. With this in mind, it’s critical you make it a point to identify potential connections and grow your LinkedIn network. You can increase your weekly invite limit up to 700 with a sales funnel software like LinkedHelper. If you’re struggling to uncover who and how, try these simple tips:

• Search for and connect with anyone you’ve done business with
• Reach out to those you consider thought leaders
• Connect with all your current colleagues
• Put your LinkedIn URL in your email signature, on business cards and your website so others can easily find you
• Check invitations to connect often and accept

3) Optimize Your Company Page

First and foremost, be sure to have an official company page on LinkedIn. The next step is to populate your page with relevant, interesting and engaging content. A dynamic image for your home page, current job listings in the “Careers” tab and comprehensive information under “Services” will help your company stand out. In addition, it’s highly recommended to consistently share company news and relevant articles in company page updates.

4) Participate in Relevant Groups

One of the easiest ways to create buzz and brand awareness on LinkedIn – other than paying for ads – is to join and regularly participate in relevant groups. Provide insight, ask questions and showcase your business’ assets in a variety of groups.

5) Consider Starting a Group

Once you’ve been actively engaging with groups, you might consider starting one of your own. Do not simply create a group using the name of your organization. Instead, consider where there might be a gap in your industry. Provide useful information and a space that welcomes those in your target audience. Invest time into building and cultivating your group. Over time, this investment will pay off if you can successfully engage new customers.

How has your business leveraged LinkedIn? What tips can you share?

Featured photo courtesy of Profound Whatever via photopin cc.

Originally published Sep 06, 2013, updated Aug 14, 2023