Sure, LinkedIn may not have Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore giving their respective life stories for the world to follow, but this other social network really packs a punch. According to a webinar delivered by LinkedIn expert Lewis Howes, LinkedIn users have one of the highest average household incomes of any website at $109,000. Moreover, 45% of LinkedIn users are the decision maker in their household, compared to only 25-28% of Facebook/Twitter users.
While nobody’s questioning that Facebook has incredible reach among the general population, LinkedIn most effectively delivers business relationships. It’s more socially acceptable – and expected – to conduct business on LinkedIn, where it can be frowned upon on Facebook or even Twitter. And there’s no race to get 100,000 likes on your profile. The point of LinkedIn is to connect and build substantive relationships. LinkedIn gives you the social outlet without the social drama.
Here are some tips for elevating your LinkedIn experience to the next level.
1. Make it Public
Are you attending an upcoming networking event? RSVP on their event page to help promote it to your network. If they don’t have one, do them a favor and create one, and invite folks who’d be interested in attending.
2. Expertly Answer
Demonstrate your expertise in the Answers section on LinkedIn. Come up with SEO-friendly keywords and phrases that your target audience actually types when they’re looking online for help (i.e., your product or service). This way, you can respond to the exact pain points of your ideal target audience and key influencers in your industry.
3. Show Off
Showcase your portfolio on your profile. Make it your own mini-website with minimal fuss. You can import your blog, your white paper presentations, even your YouTube videos.
4. Connect With New People
When you return to the office from a networking event and you’re about to email “nice to meet you” notes, send these through LinkedIn via an introduction instead of using Gmail or Outlook. That way, you immediately connect on your network where you’re more likely to engage in each other’s discussions and activity feeds, rather than another idle email in your personal address book.
5. Group Effectively
There’s a bazillion groups on LinkedIn, and it can be like finding a needle in a haystack to find best groups relevant to your target audience. Rather than searching for just the right industry group, search instead for the people you’re trying to connect with. Then join the groups that THEY belong to. A big time saver!
6. Read the News
Use LinkedIn Today as your morning newspaper as you drink your first cup of coffee. You can choose industries you’re following so all your trade articles are integrated. Start your day all in one web page.
What other LinkedIn tips could you share?
Nichole Santoro
Client Services Manager
Nichole Santoro brings 15+ years of Marketing Communications and Project Management experience working in Chicago’s sales promotion agencies. More recently, she worked with small businesses to set up, edit and manage the day-to-day implementation of their social media, blog and newsletters. She is thrilled to share her expertise with the Every Marketing Thing community.
Connect with Nichole on LinkedIn
LOVE LOVE LOVE that blog post @nichole santoro Your points are well taken. LinkedIn is my friend. Most recently we (Desert Rose Design) got a new client, and now friend, as he sought @kathy steele out on LinkedIn. I also use it to research my prospects so I am more familiar with their style, way they want to communicate, and any synergies we might have! A perfect example is another recent client that we had been sending direct mail packages to with no response. I looked her up on LinkedIn and found out she only likes to be contacted by email - do not call or send things - whew somehow I got past the fact we had been sending promo materials each month for a YEAR! I figure our stuff was so cool I got a free pass:) LAST COMMENT ... I totally promote my biz on my FB page as you are at work more than you are not AND the stuff I share is way cool!