Before using any social media tool, including LinkedIn, ask yourself, "Is this tool worthwhile for your business?" Don't simply jump on the bandwagon because everyone else is! Check out whether LinkedIn is the right tool for you based on this first. First, take a look at how this social media platform helps other businesses.
It is used by B2B marketers to promote new services and product launches. LinkedIn is used by consultants to connect with potential customers and inform them about their services and experiences. Job seekers increase the number of people in their LinkedIn circles in order to stand out to potential employers. Salespeople can use LinkedIn to conduct preliminary research on prospects before connecting with them to learn more about their needs and interests. Entrepreneurs use LinkedIn to inform customers about their businesses and to increase sales. Small businesses want to draw attention to themselves, whereas large companies use LinkedIn to highlight their position and promote their services and products.
So now that you know LinkedIn is a powerful tool for every type of business, keep reading to find out how it can power your business and provide you with leads like you've never seen before.
The Attractions and Distractions of a LinkedIn Profile for Lead Generation!
Small and medium-sized businesses that are unable to set up, manage, and run full-fledged marketing campaigns on their own face the complexity of social media. After all, how will you find time to run a social media campaign if you're too busy running your business? The good news is that if you don't get distracted by LinkedIn's negative energies, you can use it to effectively promote your business and generate leads. Suite 203, a Montreal-based social media marketing agency, has compiled a list of five major social marketing sins and solutions for getting your brand back on track.
Other social media platforms, such as YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook, are no exception. The key is simple: the attractions are important aspects of your business, whereas the distractions are enjoyable elements that may divert you from your objectives. The most effective method is to place sticky notes on your computer screen that will remind you of things that will help your business grow.
Starting with LinkedIn: How to Go about It
Each social media tool has its own distinct personality. While Facebook is more of a "friendly pub," LinkedIn is more of a "trade show" where things can be formalized and organized. You don't have to update on your last vacation, but you should definitely highlight the white paper you wrote. With the assumption that you already have a LinkedIn profile, you can now create a personalized LinkedIn URL. You may notice a 'Profile' tab in the top menu bar of your LinkedIn profile page. Drag to the 'Edit Profile' link to reveal a statement labeled 'Public Profile,' with a 'Edit' link adjacent to it. You can then follow the prompts to create a personalized LinkedIn URL.
Top tips for Selecting a Customized URL Link
- Avoid using your company's name in your LinkedIn URL. It's because there's no guarantee that you'll stay with the company indefinitely.
- To distinguish your URL from others, avoid using obscure acronyms such as 'YS126.' Just because you use an acronym for your Gmail account does not mean it will work for your LinkedIn business.
- Make sure to include items or characteristics that are related to your main business. AlfredoAccounting, for example, is excellent.
LinkedIn Profile: Understanding Its Depth
There are a few things you should do now that you have a personalized URL for your LinkedIn profile.
Perfecting Your Profile – It may appear to be a no-brainer task, but the reality is that most people create a LinkedIn profile but fail to update it. Even if you don't do it on purpose, the consumer may visit your profile in the interim and have a negative impact. Just go back and re-visit and finish your profile now, before it's too late, to make a really strong impression on the client.
Linking your Twitter Account with Your LinkedIn Profile – The good news is that when you allow your LinkedIn account to manage your Twitter account, every status update on LinkedIn is accompanied by a tweet. It can be an excellent way to simplify your use of social media to connect with clients.
Expand Your Network – You can broaden your network by joining alumni and industry groups. Simply go to the upper right of the menu bar and select 'People.' Drag down to 'Groups,' then enter a relevant subject such as sales, marketing, real estate, and so on. While searching, LinkedIn can provide you with suggestions not only for 'Groups,' but also for 'Companies,' 'Connections,' 'Features,' and 'Skills.'
Don't be afraid to reach out to people or organizations on LinkedIn because that's what it's designed for. Also, don't try to capture the entire group at once, as this will make your nature SPAMMY. Pretending you're at a party and meeting people one by one will make you appear more genuine and sincere.
Your LinkedIn Profile – Employing it For Direct and Indirect Marketing
Okay, now that you have a basic understanding of LinkedIn, let's look into how to use LinkedIn to generate leads. LinkedIn can be used for lead generation in two ways.
The First Approach – Providing Prospects with Company Information Right Away on LinkedIn
It's absolutely fantastic! Consider what would happen if you were walking to a party and someone approached you to sell his insurance policy. It would undoubtedly be an unpleasant experience! But what if someone first talks to you for 20 minutes about your needs and interests, and then offers you his company's insurance coverage? You must be more interested in the cover and details, and thus more likely to purchase it, right?
When you provide prospects with company information via LinkedIn, the situation is similar. To make a direct approach, you must first understand the prospect's interest and need. Before you finally convert it to a sales call, try providing advice, general information, or industry specifics.
The Second Approach – Obviously, the Indirect Method! It is concerned with directing people to the company's website so they can learn more about it.
Individuals who use this approach can visit the company's website, download a white paper, learn more about the company's products and services, or sign up for an e-newsletter. The tricky part of this approach is that you want to start by providing your prospect client with useful information or free advice. The engagement rules for both approaches are the same, but the only difference is that once you make a strong connection with your prospect on LinkedIn, you direct them to your website's landing page.
The 6 Most Effective Ways to Generate Leads from Your LinkedIn Profile
These are the top six LinkedIn lead generation strategies!
LinkedIn Applications – The LinkedIn Application section is a fascinating place to explore. You can use this section to add new and interesting apps to your LinkedIn page to improve people's experiences. You can even add your blog content to your LinkedIn page to get people to read about the services you provide. You can also create polls to learn about the status of your prospects and clients.
LinkedIn Answers – It's a LinkedIn feature that's extremely useful but underutilized. Individuals can ask questions about the company and receive specific advice in this section. And it will be you, as an industry insider, who will provide the advice! We know a person who was always quick to respond to questions about sales research. With new projects, he earns more than $85,000 over the course of a year.
People on LinkedIn – It's an excellent choice for job seekers, salespeople, and B2B business owners who want to work for a large corporation. Simply conduct a search in the target company's upper right side box. When you click on the company name, a box will appear on the right-hand side, displaying your direct connection, or first connection, as well as second connections. Assuming you don't have a first or direct connection, click the second connection link. It will provide a list of a few names from your target company. You'll find a list of shared connections at the bottom of your profile; all you have to do now is ask your referrals to introduce you to people on LinkedIn to individuals at your target firm. Finally, you’re in!
LinkedIn Groups – As previously stated, you should join multiple LinkedIn groups. However, the intelligence lies in joining groups that are not only related to the industry, but also those that are not. You can not only expand your reach but also your business by stretching out. If you're an accountant, for example, you should try to join not only accounting groups, but also business owners, restaurants, and others, as they may require your accounting services at some point.
LinkedIn Mobile – There is, in fact, a LinkedIn Mobile Application. It is completely free to download to your smartphone. It's a great way to communicate, especially if you're at a trade show or meeting people one-on-one. By simply turning on the Bluetooth, it is also possible to exchange critical company information via LinkedIn. There are no misspelled words or typing errors – just instant and precise information transfer.
LinkedIn Direct Ads – LinkedIn offers an advertising feature that can be used to direct new visitors to a website's landing page, a LinkedIn group, or another important location. The ads function similarly to Google's paid search ads. All you have to do now is write a headline, some copy, and a destination link. After that, you bid on how much you want to pay LinkedIn every time someone clicks on your ad. It will not only be a wise investment, but also a cost-effective way to increase revenue.
The Final Word
Every now and then, a number of new tools are added to the LinkedIn toolbox. LinkedIn Today is one of them, and it provides daily information and news about your industry and interests. Learn.LinkedIn.com is another excellent resource. It's a comprehensive set of tutorials that you can use to improve the usability of your LinkedIn profile.
So, while you're racing to use your LinkedIn profile to generate leads, we can only wish you the best of luck!