LinkedIn assists you in making better use of your professional network. LinkedIn has over 60 million users in over 200 countries, and a new member joins LinkedIn approximately every second. LinkedIn may not provide the instant gratification and fast-paced expansion that other social sites do, but it definitely provides unique and valuable possibilities that can help you and your business grow.
What is LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is a website that allows you to develop your professional identity in a digital format, and connect to your peers, contacts, and other professionals. The site is designed to assist users in a ‘six degrees of separation’ kind of format – allowing your contacts to “introduce” you to their contacts.
How does LinkedIn work?
You create a personal profile as you would your professional resume – including previous places of employment, positions held, and responsibilities, this provides you with the ability to connect with past and current coworkers as well as link to precious companies and organizations.
How is LinkedIn a resource for social media marketing?
- LinkedIn promotes actual interaction between professionals as well as the ability to research and potentially contact the right people for a specific purpose.
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- With the steadily increasing population using LinkedIn, you can easily connect with your peers in the field.
- Many active users “daisy chain” their contacts to grow their professional network and connect for better and more concrete sales prospects
- You can review companies and individuals providing them with your “endorsement,” which promotes them as credible sources in their profession. Professional courtesy indicates that most will return the favor, and thus promote you. Endorsements work like testimonials based on individual’s experience with you and the professional services provided.
- Any good social media ‘expert’ will agree that the potential leads and targeted sales have a much higher payoff rate using LinkedIn than any other social media site.
- LinkedIn also provides you with the ability to interact with people outside of your network through the “answers” feature.
- Users can ask broad generalized or specific targeted questions to the public at large.
- When a question is ‘closed’ and no longer available for responses, whomever posted the question can rate the responses. One answer can be identified as the ‘best’ answer, and this will automatically endorse the author of the response with “expertise” in that particular field.
- Answering questions thoroughly and appropriately will increase your exposure as an expert.
Of the many social media resources available, LinkedIn is arguably the best for real professional digital social interaction. It clearly focuses on professional interaction and development. Newcomers to the social media marketing scene would be wise to consider utilizing this tool.
Smeester and Associates now offers social media marketing business solutions. While 60% of Americans participate in social media, less than 10% of American businesses are actively engaging in social media marketing. Let us help you utilize the many resources available and generate more business for your company.
