As per LinkedIn’s recent statistics, it currently hosts 58 million companies, making it a crucial platform for recruiters and job seekers. Did you know that most LinkedIn users are there for specific reasons, primarily networking?
Their objectives include:
- Exhibiting their acquired skills
- Engaging with industry experts
- Searching for attractive job opportunities
What sets LinkedIn apart from other social media platforms for marketing is its space for B2B marketers. LinkedIn aids B2B marketers, whether they are struggling or making significant strides, to enhance their brand visibility and successfully promote their products. While LinkedIn is an excellent networking platform, there are tips that can help you optimize its effectiveness in your pursuits.
What Exactly is LinkedIn?
You’ve probably heard about various social media platforms, but one that consistently emphasizes growth in business and career terms is LinkedIn. Essentially, it’s a media platform designed for the professional community, making it an accessible place for people worldwide to establish their businesses or careers.
According to Hootsuite’s 2022 Digital Trend Report, LinkedIn currently boasts 875 million members and is active in over 200 countries.
Top companies now prioritize LinkedIn as part of their marketing strategies due to two exceptional features it offers:
- LinkedIn Pages
- LinkedIn Groups
These features assist businesses in avoiding excessive effort in locating their target market, as they can always provide the target audience needed to boost their sales. Another notable aspect of the aforementioned features is that they help businesses establish a base of loyal and satisfied customers and provide a forum where like-minded individuals with industry interests can gather to discuss and exchange ideas.
A prime example of one of the forums on LinkedIn is the Content Marketing Institute (CMI), which has a dedicated group of over 60,000 members. Content marketers join this group and share members’ ideas, experience, and knowledge, which can assist others in becoming better at creating effective, engaging, and compelling content. LinkedIn is a fantastic marketing platform that can assist business owners and individuals looking to kickstart their careers to excel in their respective endeavors.
Utilizing LinkedIn for Networking
Given that LinkedIn is a platform for industry professionals and experts, it’s understandable why people choose to leverage it to their advantage. Networking on LinkedIn is feasible; however, certain tips can assist you in achieving that. There are methods you should employ to maximize LinkedIn’s benefit for your business or career.
These methods include the following:
1. Establish and Complete Your Profile
Unbeknownst to many, having a LinkedIn profile serves as a means of creating a digital portfolio. It’s crucial to fill every available space in your profile with the necessary details. You can also create an impressive profile by uploading a good headshot, crafting a compelling headline, and summarizing your skills and experience.
2. Connect With People You Know
Without making connections on LinkedIn, your profile may become inactive if not checked for an extended period. That’s why LinkedIn allows its members to connect with people they know, including past and current work colleagues. Connecting with people you know can help you access job opportunities and obtain crucial recommendations needed to advance your business.
3. Share Useful Content
Beyond making connections, there needs to be activity on your LinkedIn profile to prevent it from becoming dormant. You can start by sharing content (tips and insights) that is beneficial for your connections or people generally on the platform. This helps to solidify your position and relevance as a professional in your field of practice.
4. Join LinkedIn Communities
There are numerous groups on LinkedIn composed of professionals with similar interests in a specific field. To enhance your networking, you can join these related communities as a member. You’ll have the opportunity to learn from experts, share ideas, ask questions when unclear, and provide feedback that can help your career or business progress.
Concluding Remarks
If you aim to advance in your career or business, then LinkedIn might be the ideal platform for you. When fully utilized, LinkedIn can assist individuals in networking in ways they could never imagine due to its vast user base and the services it offers. Some ways you can successfully use LinkedIn for networking include creating an impressive profile, connecting with people, and joining communities.
A worthwhile read is our article about 10 Actionable PR Tips to Create Name Recognition where you’ll learn about creating better name recognition in the online world.
