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Tips for Using LinkedIn for Your Business Needs

November 8, 2012

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linkedin for businessLinkedIn is the world’s leading business networking site. It currently boasts over 100 million members from all parts of the world. Many business owners use LinkedIn to find the right vendors, expand their business globally or find leads.

The following are some tips for using the power of LinkedIn for business.

Complete your profile

Once you have opened a business account on LinkedIn, make sure you fill out your profile completely. Include your business name, location, contact details, industry, summary, headline, photo, past and current positions, and a few recommendations. After filling out all these details, make your profile public to allow everyone to see it.

Link extensively

The size of your network is very important. Find people or businesses in your industry and send them an invitation to connect with you. Work at consistently growing your network to increase your contacts.  Keep in mind that your network depends on other people’s networks. When you connect with one person, your LinkedIn page will display names, businesses or photos of other ‘People You May Know’.

Promote your business

You could consider promoting your business by sending monthly or bi-monthly updates to your contacts. This could be a newsletter, notification about a new product or new about recent industry developments. This will enhance the chances of your name appearing in your contacts’ profile pages.

Ask for recommendations

Recommendations are very powerful for making your business appear credible. Ask some of the contacts who are familiar with your business to endorse you. This will help you win the trust of people who don’t know you.

Combine your Twitter and LinkedIn accounts

Combining your Twitter and LinkedIn accounts will ensure that your updates get posted on both networks simultaneously. To pair these accounts, click on ‘Manage your Twitter settings’ in the settings page.

Begin or join a LinkedIn group

To identify industry networks and associations which would interest you, all you need to do is search LinkedIn group directory. Alternatively, you could consider starting your own group and then inviting others to join. LinkedIn groups are an effective way of networking with others in your industry and getting referrals. In addition, you will be notified of industry events happening in your locality. This will give you an opportunity to connect with your prospective customers in person.

Get answers to difficult questions

Every business owner grapples with a wide range of difficult questions on a day to day basis. You can find answers to such questions by going to LinkedIn Answers and Groups. There are several answer categories which are specifically dedicated to business.

Display your expertise

You can display your expertise in the industry by answering questions asked by others. There are many LinkedIn forums where you can share your experience and knowledge. In addition, you can also share valuable blog content by providing links in your LinkedIn profile. This offers you a chance to pitch your business to potential customers.

Monitor your competition

Most businesses and companies have a profile on LinkedIn. These profiles can offer valuable information about your competition, such as recent hires, upcoming events and new products. Such insights will enable you to stay ahead of or at par with the competition.

Identify vendors to outsource services

At times, you might need to outsource services which you are not experienced in to other vendors. LinkedIn enables you to identify and evaluate suitable vendors in your network. In addition, you could also have a mutual referral arrangement where you trade services with the vendors.

About the Author

Charles Mburugu is a professional blogger with a passion for internet marketing and social media. He is currently writing for a blog which offers tips on how to make a website.

About the author 

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My name is Dilip. I am a fan of the internet and love the many opportunities that the world wide web provides. If used constructively , the internet can give you an opportunity to lead a life free of the 9-5 treadmill and will be able to give more time to your family members. Read about internet entrepreneurship at my blog.

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