What to Do: Getting Started On LinkedIn
After hearing about the benefits and advantages of LinkedIn so many times, you may have finally decided that it is time to get your business represented on the site.
This is a great choice and one that you should definitely celebrate, but it requires you to approach the service carefully and make sure you give it your best angle.
In order to succeed on LinkedIn, you need to have several things ready that are geared towards highlighting your strengths and giving you the polished, professional appearance that you need.
In order to do this, here are a few key you can do to prepare:
Some Great Photos – Your cover photo is the first thing anyone is going to see when they look at your profile, so you should make sure you have a good one. Several photos can help by giving you an extra element of choice, as well as some beginning content to share.
A Supply Of Industry-Relevant Links – If you can find some relevant business articles that directly apply to your industry, posting them on LinkedIn, especially in the beginning, can be of great help to your image. This lets people who are unfamiliar with your brand see you as an authority in the field and will lead to greater trust in you and your company.
A List Of Your Personal Business Connections – You do not want to have an empty connections link on LinkedIn for any longer than you have to, so list your invites before you sign up. Once your profile is ready, go immediately to the list and start sending out invitations – be sure to write each one individually so that your connections know you are not spamming them.
Put Links In Your Other Online Materials – If you already have a web presence through a website or email newsletter, you should use the LinkedIn social media plugin buttons that the company makes available for you to let your clients and customers know that you are now active.
Look Up Relevant LinkedIn Groups – They are a great way to communicate and organize between companies that operate in the same sector as yours. Groups are full of people who are looking to network and who may have use of your services as much as you have use of theirs.
Groups can also help you raise your profile awareness and grow connections, so you should know which ones you want to join before you begin making your profile. An introductory post in a relevant group can give your brand a helpful boost in the beginning.
Once you have all of these things prepared, you are ready to start making your LinkedIn profile. From there, it is just a matter of time before you start making new, meaningful connections to clients, customers and business partners who can help you grow your business in ways that could have never be achieved before.
Next week: LinkedIn Profile Mistakes to Avoid – Part 3 of a series
