Sep
20
If you’re not LinkedIn, you’re missing out!
Filed Under linkedin
The old saying goes that in any business it´s just as much about what you know as it is about whom you know. More to the point though, it´s who knows about you that really matters! And that´s exactly why online professional networks like LinkedIn are very useful if you want to attract new clients to your business or leap up a couple of rungs on your career ladder.
Now, if you´re grimacing and thinking this is something like Facebook, think again! There’s none of the trying to keep up with a constant barrage of messages detailing what your old classmates are having for breakfast. LinkedIn is intended purely for your professional contacts and the concept is simple: keeping in touch with your colleagues and clients and getting ongoing exposure with their contacts too.
Here is how it works. You first create a free account. Then you fill out your professional profile, where you can include as little or as much information you want. And finally, you invite your colleagues, clients and other people you know professionally to become part of your trusted LinkedIn network. When they do, you gain access to their trusted contacts, building an invaluable business network bit by bit.
Once you have a few people in your network, it starts getting good! Among other things, LinkedIn allows you to:
Post a recommendation about a contact in your network or ask to be recommended a most effective way to make your strengths stand out to other professionals.
Ask a contact to introduce you to one of their contacts, turning a cold call situation into a warm one.
Look up the profiles of clients, colleagues or potential employers to find out about their requirements and interests, so you have it easy when it comes to breaking the ice and making a good impression.
Link to your business or personal websites so your network associates and other LinkedIn users can find out more about what you do and offer.
Search your LinkedIn network, or all of LinkedIn to find suppliers or consultants and similarly show up when other people make a search related to your area of expertise.
Ask questions in the ‘Answers’ section and get professional advice from other LinkedIn professionals. Or
Better still, establish your authority in your area of expertise by answering questions related to your field.
Want to learn more about what social business networking can do for you? Take look at this article called 20 ways to use LinkedIn productively and find out more about what you´re missing!
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