REPORT

Build your Business with LinkedIn: 5 Top Tips For professionals serious about building their business, there is one social

media tool that’s now compulsory -- LinkedIn. If you’re not sure where to

start, or it’s not yet a part of your company’s marketing and business

development strategy, here are five LinkedIn tips to help you get the most

out of LinkedIn:

1) Complete your profile

If your personal profile isn’t complete, then you simply won’t be seen as

frequently in other people’s searches. There’s no excuse for leaving this one

unfinished. Make sure your headline contains your marketing key words,

and that your photo is professional.

2) Get involved in LinkedIn Groups

This really is the easiest way to make new contacts on LinkedIn. You don’t

have to spend much time at it either – find a handful of active groups for

your market, and drop in a couple of times each week to comment (nicely!)

on someone else’s posts. It’s a bonus if you publish your own dicussions

(but avoid selling your services directly).

3) Target key prospects

If you’re really serious about lead generation, then you need to use

LinkedIn’s advanced search features to research your target companies and

decision makers. Get to know who the potential leads are, and use

LinkedIn’s InMail to contact them, or get referred to them by your

intermediate connections.

4) Create a great company page

Even one-person businesses can have company pages. It’s a great way to

present your brand image and highlight your products and services, as well

as providing another channel for your thought leadership. This is low-

hanging fruit – so grab it!

5) Take online relationships offline

The personal touch makes all the difference. Make sure all your invitations

to connect are customised (don’t use the standard LinkedIn invite text) and

then follow-up with a face-to-face meeting. LinkedIn will foster client

relationships, but it won’t substitute for them.

Implement these top five LinkedIn tips and see how business development

becomes more efficient and effective for you – and watch your business

grow!

FOR REGULAR TIPS

Follow Marshall Walker on LinkedIn. Search for

Marshall Walker in the LinkedIn company search

window, go to our company page, and click on the

‘Follow’ button.

You can also follow us on Twitter to get regular

LinkedIn tips: @LinkedInTutors

Helping you build your business with LinkedIn www.linkedintutors.com 07717 022 536 emily@linkedintutors.com

© Marshall Walker 2013