Using LinkedIn Marketing To Grow Your Business

LinkedIn marketing is a powerful, low cost way of building your network marketing business online in a highly targeted group of professional business people.  By implementing a LinkedIn marketing strategy you are able to network with a very business oriented audience, filled with potential prospects who are likely to take an interest in your business in both a consumer and team member capacity.  These basic tips will help you to get the most business momentum out of your interactions with the LinkedIn community.

Your LinkedIn marketing path should point back to your blog or website

It is critical that you point your connections to your contact information outside of the LinkedIn website.   One of the keys to LinkedIn marketing is having relevant links in your profile so your connections and those seeking more information about you can easily find out what your are all about.   This will help foster new relationships and build a higher degree of trust between you and other members.

LinkedIn marketing focuses on groups

Become Active In Groups.

After you join a group, become an active participant in the group discussions.  When you become a contributor to these group conversations, you begin to establish your identity within the community and you will simultaneously be developing new relationships as well.   As people see more of your interactions they will begin to recognize the value and leadership that you offer within the community.   This is the principle of attraction marketing that draws people not only to you, but to your business.  LinkedIn marketing does not avoid constant pitching of your business to the group. This is considered spamming and will quickly alienate you from the rest of the community.

Start Your Own Group.

Starting your own LinkedIn group is a great way to position yourself as a leader in the industry, who offers value to the rest of the community.  When other members of LinkedIn choose to participate in your group, you have an audience that is much more connected to you as a leader.  When you create a group, be sure to link RSS feed of your blog to the group.  It is also advisable to have the link to your website in the welcome message for your group.  A very simple “LinkedIn marketing” strategy is to have a keyword in the group name, making the group much easier to locate.

The secret to LinkedIn marketing – regular interaction

Send Messages Every Week

Make it a point to post a new message each and every week, whether you are the group or simply a participant.   Each time you post a new message, be sure to include a link for your blog or website.   Over time this will build a substantial amount of traffic to your blog and create reader loyalty.  When looking at LinkedIn marketing, it is important to remember that you blog is the central nervous system for your online marketing engine.  When you add your website link, you are inviting your group member to visit your
“virtual home.”

Create Events For Your Contacts  

A great way to interact with members of your community is through the use of LinkedIn Events.   These events are not just limited to online venues, but they can also be offline as well.   When you create an event, choose a topic that is of great interest to your community and provide clear details on how to register.  Be sure to invite those who are in your network and also share these events with the groups in which you actively participate.

Answer Questions Within The Community  

An often overlooked LinkedIn marketing tool is the ‘Answers’ function of the social network.   LinkedIn post their questions on a particular topic. You answer questions that are within your sphere of expertise.  When you answer the question, be sure to connect directly with the person asking the question and strive to build a relationship with that individual.   You are also allowed to include links to information that will support your answer and provide further clarity.  This is a great place to point people to your blog or Youtube videos.

LinkedIn marketing provides you with a great way to find new prospects and build your business.   When you apply these strategies, you will distinguish yourself from the crowd and people will be drawn to you.

Connect with me on LinkedIn at http://linkedin.com/in/carlwillis