LinkedIn Strategies for Small Businesses
Small business owners are some of the hardest working people out there. They wear many hats, as they are responsible for increasing sales, delivering customer service, managing bookkeeping, running marketing campaigns and more. Adding LinkedIn to the to-do list might sound overburdening, but small businesses cannot afford to overlook this channel.
LinkedIn is one of the most effective channels for professional networking and business growth. Here are a few LinkedIn strategies that work well for small business owners.
Build a Personal Brand
People are more likely to buy from the companies they like, know and trust. Before introducing your products and services to potential customers, spend time building your personal brand. You can achieve this on LinkedIn by creating a profile page and a company page. When people find you on the professional network, they will see a professional profile for you and your company.
Demonstrate Your Knowledge
Show your audience that you are an expert in your field. This is not done by bragging, of course, but rather by sharing articles, joining in discussions and answering questions. Being a trusted authority is important because it builds trust and credibility. When people see that you know what you’re talking about, they will be more likely to choose your products and services.
In addition to sharing helpful content and resources, also publish your own content. Post it as status updates or long form articles via LinkedIn Publisher. Write helpful, relevant content that solves common challenges faced by your audience. The next time someone has a need for your products or services, they will think of you.
Generate New Prospects
By setting up a professional profile and sharing helpful content, you pave the way new relationships. But there are ways to speed up this process and secure more prospects. Start by searching for the job titles of your ideal prospects, such as Marketing Director or VP Sales. LinkedIn will turn up a search of candidates with these job titles, and you can go through it to identify matches.
Always do a bit of background research on the person before reaching out. The quality of your contacts matters more than the quantity, so connect with those who meet your criteria. It also helps if you share a connection with the person, as you can always ask for an introduction.
Keep on Top of the Latest Trends
Attending trade shows and networking events is important, but it’s also expensive and time consuming. A better alternative is to stay connected with industry professionals on LinkedIn. The more tailored your contacts are, the more you can stay up to date on recent developments within your industry. Here are some of the best ways you can use LinkedIn to stay on top of the trends:
- Read your news feeds
- Follow thought leaders and influencers
- Follow related companies
- Follow your competitors
- Search and follow hashtags
Running a business is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, ventures you will have in your lifetime. Thankfully, there are more tools available than ever before to grow your business and stay connected to your industry. LinkedIn is one of them, and getting started is as easy as setting up a profile and importing your contacts. Call WSI Star Web Solutions to learn more about how to use LinkedIn to grow your business.