With all the social networking sites available on the internet today, most of the focus seems to centre on Facebook and Twitter. But no less important in terms of internet marketing is LinkedIn.
Aimed at the professional crowd, LinkedIn allows you to interact with business associates, past employers, and others in your field. It brings the power of a networking event online. Here are just five ways of how to use LinkedIn for branding your business.
1. Search Engines
Your profile on LinkedIn is indexed by search engines. So when an internet user types in a Google search of your personal or business name, your LinkedIn profile is part of the results. Do be sure to completely fill out your profile information, including an image (your company logo is best for branding purposes), details about the type of services you provide, your company’s products, past experience, etc.
2. People Connections
A LinkedIn search is almost like playing an online game of “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon”. Find the people you know, the people you want to know, and the people you should contact, then investigate the ways they are interrelated. Chances are you will identify lots of opportunities to use the members of your network in order to reach others.
Don’t forget to look for everyone you may have been associated with in the past, through higher education, former employment, professional association memberships, etc. Everyone who you know is a good contact because you never know how these relationships will bring about further opportunity.
Do ask associates for recommendations. This helps you gain an authoritative and well-trusted status. Give recommendations in return to help with your networking efforts.
3. Sales Prospecting
Update your profile and notify your contacts via a group message. You might want to post something about a new product your company is offering, a professional membership, or an award you have received for outstanding service. These are all excellent, newsworthy titbits that are perfect branding; they are also perfect for using as your virtual foot in the door to set up a sales appointment.
Another way to prospect is to perform an advanced search of posted answers. This provides you an insight into what information potential clients are seeking as well as gives you an idea of opportunities for advancing your brand.
4. Participate With Questions And Answers
A great way to become more involved with other members is to participate in the LinkedIn answers section. Use your knowledge and expertise to answer questions posted by members. This is a wonderful networking opportunity that also helps you get recognised as an authority in your field. Consider posting a question, too. Aim the question at possible clients, asking them such things as “have you found a good provider for xyz services?” or “what needs do you have that are currently not being met by your provider?”
5. Join LinkedIn Groups
Find LinkedIn groups that are related to your industry or the subject matter of your blog or website. Consider going further and join groups that are of interest to your target market. This is a wonderful way to meet new people, including those who may help you gain introductions to potential clients and other members who will help you brainstorm marketing ideas.
If you have been wondering how to use LinkedIn to your marketing and branding advantage, the above five tips will see you well on your way. The site is an excellent resource for sales prospects and networking so use it to the fullest to gain maximum benefit.
Feel free to check out my LinkedIn profile if you are interested in connecting 
.
About Sean Rasmussen
Thanks for this insightful article Sean! LinkedIn is probably one of the most powerful yet under used social media platforms available. I’ll also add that it’s helpful to update your status on a daily basis using keywords and a “soft sell” that positions you as an expert in your field. I like to ask a question in the groups that I have joined, and then use the responses for material in my blog.
Some useful tips on LinkedIn there Diane, thanks for sharing them with us
Thanks Diane for that great advice. Great idea to ask questions to your groups as this would most likely start a conversation and make people aware of you. Not sure what a soft cell is though.
Hi Diane,
That’s a really great tip, I will have to try that one out! I am new to the LinkedIn site but have noticed that it seem’s a bit more professional that the others.
Another handy article, Sean.
Although I have a Linkedin profile I have not really explore this site yet.
You’ve highlighted some excellent starting points that I will definitely explore to build my brand.
Thanks,
Cade
Good stuff Cade, LinkedIn is definitely worth a look for sure.
Dear sean,
Thank you for the info, the reason your article got my attention is because (and may not be so but!!) I think out of all the socail media sites this has a lot to offer it kinda reminds me of the “givers gain” it is more interactive as a business module and focusses more on that than anything else. cool stuff. I especially like the recommendation part.
If you have anymore tips I am all ears
Have a great day.
Rose
Glad to get your attention Rose
. LinkedIn is a great site and can be very beneficial, depending on how you use it of course. As for more tips, there are always more on the way, stay tuned!
Hi Sean,
very timely article. I have been a member of LinkedIn for some time but actually have been wondering how to use LinkedIn more efficiently.
Thanks for your tips, great stuff. I like the idea with the 6-degree separation and finding a way to the person i want to get in contact with.
Glad the article was of benefit to you Renee. Happy networking on LinkedIn
I have recently put in a fair amount of effort in bringing my LinkedIn profile up to scratch. I like to think of LinkedIn as the ‘professional’ social networking site.
I have not as yet used it to put in status updates as you would in Facebook and believe that any updates you add should be extremely relevant to you in a ‘professional’ manner.
LinkedIn is definitely a little more “professional” and focused than many other social sites indeed Cemil, by that I mean business targeted. “Relevant” updates are a good idea
Hi Sean,
I don’t have a LinkedIn profile yet but your post definitely highlights why I should have one. It sounds like a great way to network with like-minded people and build on those relationships. It can only be beneficial for my business.
I guess it just goes back to the old adage; it’s not what you know but who you know.
I can honestly say i’ve never heard of linkedin till today but sounds right up my alley! This seems like a more organized social platform that let’s you talk to like minded targeted people which is exactly what Internet marketers need. I’ve always been told if you want more money then be around the people with money. I think this can apply to the niche or interest you have in life as well. Associate with those you have interests or those who have interests in your niche and you will have success!
Wow! Thanks for this article, Sean. I can see that I have been grossly under utilizing LinkedIn. I will be spending some time updating and fleshing out my profile among other things.
Hi Sean
I feel like I have been living under a rock!
Since starting this competition I have been swept along this amazing river of information, gathering heaps of insights and priceless knowledge. Linkedin is amazing to discover as the possibilities of being part of this professional networking group are phenomenal.
I had no idea that such a service existed until I signed up for this competition so I joined Linkedin and already three of my past colleagues have found me and contacted me.
I am really going to utilise this service and I am also grateful to Diane for the tips she has given.
Thankyou Sean for those 5 very empowering ways to use Linkedin and taking the time to bring this valuable information to our attention.
Blessings
Elly
That’s great news Elly, I am glad you have already found LinkedIn to be beneficial
I joined linked in the other day as instructed, but until reading this post had no idea what to do with it.
You are a mountain of information Sean.
I have only joined linkedin within the last couple of weeks so am still to learn the value of it. When I write a post I have been sharing the link at linkedin, would this be considered spammy? as I haven’t put any other posts in there.
I can personally vouch for the power of LinkedIn. I have been approached multiple times about job opportunities and so have my colleagues. Sean has great points on having complete profiles and also include keywords in your profile!
Hi Sean,
I guess I had better get into Linkedin to check that I have my profile in correctly.
Thank you for the five points to improve our usage of what looks like another great tool
When I registered with LinkedIn a few days ago, it was really interesting to find a bunch of people (friends) there that were not with other more popular social media sites. These people are of a more professional type, so I can definitely see the merits of being a member of LinkedIn.
Actually, I really like it. It is simple to use, and very easy to connect with others.
Hi Sean,
I hope you like the recommendation I wrote for you on LinkedIn yesterday!
Thanks for these super tips for using LinkedIn as I am new to the service & was unsure as to how to use it.
LinkedIn Answers sounds like a good place to do some market research : )
I hadn’t about LinkedIn until recently and was really surprised at the extensiveness of the network. After finding it I was googling my brother in law for him (long story) and he was really surprised (and me) to find his LinkedIn profile at number 3 of his SERP – over the top of papers he has had published…..so it looks like it is quite an important network!
Great article, I could not agree more, LinkedIn is a great way to get in the back door of potential prospects you may be looking to contact.
Linked in has been a big fat waste of my time. No one responds or helps out, despite all I do for others. I’ve sent requests for connections, as you state in the article, and got banned for a short time because of ‘spamming’. Did not realize the other party could report you and get you banned for sending connection requests. I’ve given recommendations for multiple people only to not receive any in return, nor get responses from requested recommendations, even from prior clients. Advertised my novel and sent email out to connections (71 people). Not a one responded.