There are endless ways to connect with people on social media – through our cell phones, computers and even high-tech watches. There are lots of social media channels to try, but the majority of them are generally for entertainment purposes and very few channels are strictly professional. LinkedIn is the exception.
During our LinkedIn bootcamp at Katie Wagner Social Media, we discuss the benefits of making LinkedIn your new favorite business profile.
With over 250 million users, LinkedIn is quickly growing into the most popular channel for everyone from business tycoons to recent graduates to interact, share content and connect.
LinkedIn may not be as widely used as some other social media channels, but it is definitely the place to visit if you are looking for professional networking opportunities. It is also advantageous for companies to have a strong LinkedIn presence so they can stand out as a leader in their field.
Anyone can use LinkedIn to gather business intelligence, research problems, manage relationships and build credibility.
When building your LinkedIn profile, it is important to use keywords that best describe your strongest assets. When people use the search feature on LinkedIn, you want your profile to appear in the appropriate categories. It is also key to completely fill out your LinkedIn profile, which may take time at first, but once completed it will also boost your chances of showing up higher in search results.
As you’re adding your previous work experience to your profile, try to be as specific as possible. Remember, other than our resumes, there are not many places to showcase your professional expertise.
LinkedIn also allows you to describe any causes you support or volunteer opportunities you may have had. This field is important because if a prospect relates to a cause you have listed, it could further your chances of connecting with and possibly working with them. It’s a great place to establish the ‘know, like and trust’ factor with a potential client.
Just like on the other social media channels, it’s important to share regular content on LinkedIn in order to keep your presence strong and up-to-date. You can post content to your personal profile, to the newsfeed or to the LinkedIn Pulse. Posting regularly will keep your profile active and keep you top of mind with your connections.
It’s true online as well as offline: the more time you can dedicate to honing your networking skills the more you will get out of it. Think of your efforts on LinkedIn just like your in-person networking endeavors – you just don’t have to leave the house!
To learn more, sign up for our next social media bootcamp!
