Why every successful business is "LinkedIn"

 

With a heightened focus on professional development and career services, LinkedIn is becoming an essential tool for businesses. The social networking site signs up a new member every second, has more than 200 million subscribers across 200 countries, and has seen its stock rate more than quadruple since 2011. As the world’s largest professional network, LinkedIn serves as an authoritative resource for professionals looking to launch or enhance their careers. It also plays a significant role for businesses – one that is sometimes overlooked but equally important.

If you’re an entrepreneur or someone looking to advance your company, read on to see how LinkedIn can help you achieve your business goals.

Attract Top Talent
LinkedIn is practically a one-stop-shop for talent, attracting both passive and active jobseekers. As an employer, you can post job openings on your company’s page and recruit faster with posts and subscriptions. You also can reach qualified professionals worldwide through automated job matching.
Take advantage of these tools and commit to being a dynamic employer on LinkedIn. Liven up your company page by integrating rich media content such as videos, images and hyperlinked banners. Having creative status and company updates will attract the top talent to you.

Connect with Customers and Other Businesses
A powerful and effective way to generate new business is to demonstrate your company’s competence by developing and maintaining social relationships. Follow the pages of your industry peers, current customers and prospective clients, as it is very likely they will reciprocate. Further enhance your exposure and credibility by joining discussion groups and engaging in meaningful dialogue. Group discussions are an excellent way to promote your brand and can often be found in Internet search results, making it easier for others to discover your business.

Utilize Employees
Employees serve as a center of influence in business marketing. Maximize your company’s digital footprint by getting your staff to talk about your company. Employees help generate thought leadership by providing first-hand knowledge and accounts on workplace culture. Ask your employees to link to each other and engage in discussions on LinkedIn. This is a great way to broaden your network and generate traffic back to your company’s page.

Market Products and Services
According to LinkedIn, 50 percent of its members are likely to purchase from a company they engage or connect with. Attract customers to your business by sharing what it has to offer. LinkedIn’s Products and Services feature allows you to market your company to targeted audiences based on a variety of user demographics. It also gives LinkedIn members a platform to review and recommend your products and services.

Finally, consider using LinkedIn to develop relationships with reporters and media outlets. Connecting with media sources that cover your industry or cater to your target markets can generate positive publicity and increase visibility for your business.

Samantha Susock works in the Marketing and Communications Department at Gainesville Regional Utilities. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science and telecommunications from the University of Alabama and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public relations. Susock can be reached at [email protected].

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