LinkedIn is one of the most underutilised Social Media channels for businesses. I personally have found it to be the most effective Social Media Platform for business. I can say that with everything I do there I get a positive business result.
From a return on investment of time perspective, I can’t say this about any other Social Media Platform. LinkedIn turns out to be the most efficient Social Media Platform for Businesses.
With this kind of information, I’d expect everyone who is in business to be living there. Yet I’ve noticed a consistent theme with virtually every small business owner I meet: they are hardly ever on LinkedIn.
So why aren’t you using it more? I started asking this question of small business owners. Here are some of the answers.
- I don’t know how to use it.
- No one I know is on it.
- It’s complicated.
- No point, everyone I know who’s on it, is on Facebook as well.
- It only for recruiters.
- It’s only for job seekers.
- It’s a waste of time.
- It’s boring.
- I don’t have time to use it.
- It gets confusing, do I post or do I blog?
- I can’t see the point of using it.
- I have enough to do without add it to my to do list.
Here are just a few reasons that you might want to reconsider LinkedIn and your presence there.
1. LinkedIn adds credibility
LinkedIn is so much more than a resume repository. Its most compelling feature is that it provides an independent platform to add credibility to you and your business. It also connects your business profile to your management and staff profiles, increasing visibility and encouraging further points of connection.
2. Audience is in a business mindset
Why it is potentially so much more effective than other social media platforms (yes this includes the behemoth that is Facebook) is that the audience that lives there is already in a business mindset. This is unique as all other platforms, and the majority of their audiences, are there to be social first.
3. Marketing and HR opportunities
LinkedIn offers you a dedicated place for your small business to combine the benefits of your personal experience, free marketing and sales opportunities, and the ability to attract quality employees. A completed professional profile outlines your work history, areas of expertise, and achievements.
When business minded people seek to engage you through LinkedIn, they can do so with confidence of your previous experience. The same goes for potential employees. Your business presence can attract people with similar interests, and you can also reach them by listing your vacancies.
My belief and passion is to ensure that whatever you do with your time it is adding to your business and this includes using Social Media like LinkedIn.
On the 24th February 2016 I will be conducting a workshop to help small business owners to discover the value of LinkedIn for their business, and actually then show them how to use it simply in their every day. If you want to Learn the Value of LinkedIn for your business, checkout the workshop details here.
