7 Ways to Use LinkedIn To Create Sales

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If you are a business owner that is involved with B2B sales, one of the best social media platforms for connections is LinkedIn. Known as the largest social media platform for professionals, LinkedIn has over 135 million users, most whom are business professionals.

For businesses, the opportunity to grow through new connections on LinkedIn is invaluable. So, how can you maximize your efforts?

7 Tips on Maximizing Your Success on LinkedIn

1. Complete your profile.

Just like any other type of social media platform, an incomplete profile can cause your image to look unprofessional. With LinkedIn, it is essential that your profile be 100% complete. Experts suggest that having your profile complete sets you apart from the rest and provides a greater chance of success–up to 40% greater!

2. Optimize your profile.

After you have your profile finished, make sure your audience is able to find you. If you don’t have one yet, get a customized LinkedIn url in support of your brand, which will help with your searchability. Speaking of finding you, check to be certain that your profile is visible to everyone, and that keywords are used throughout your profile.

3. Don’t forget the apps!

One of the most underutilized aspects of LinkedIn is the apps for profiles. By adding apps, you can direct visitors to your website, share your blog updates, twitter posts, and show what you enjoy reading on Amazon. These apps enable your visitors the opportunity to get to know you and what you have to offer.

4. Take advantage of groups.

Groups are one of the best ways to connect with your ideal audience and like minded people. You have a variety of options with LinkedIn groups, and to see the best results, you need to implement each one. You can start by becoming a member of groups that appeal to you. Explore each one to gain an understanding of what happens within a group. Then start your own group and discussions, to generate conversations and build relationships.

5. Add value

Whether you want to share valuable information within your group, on your profile, or in someone else’s group, give your connections something worth their time. LinkedIn is a great tool to help you showcase your expertise and share your knowledge with business owners who are seeking what you know. Become the go to person in your niche!

6. Answer and ask questions.

Speaking of the go to person, the answers section within LinkedIn is one of the best places to showcase your knowledge. If you are not familiar with this part of LinkedIn, take some time to explore it. The concept is that people can post questions they have regarding whatever they want. You have the ability to answer those questions. The key is to find ones that pertain to your niche and then provide quality information.

7. Give before receiving.

Similar to other social media platforms, your success relies on your ability to make true connections. LinkedIn is a great opportunity for you to build high quality relationships. However, in order to make that happen, give before asking others to help you out. If you give an awesome recommendation or introduction, the chances of someone offering them in return are much higher.

**Bonus**

Just as an added bonus–Stand out in a crowd. By doing things differently than the majority of users on LinkedIn, you are setting yourself apart from the rest. Send personal introductions with a real message from you, not the generic ones already created. Send a real message after the connection is made to thank them for accepting your request.

Stand out and watch the leads roll in!

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Gretchen
Gretchen
11 years ago

Thanks for sharing Kim. I must admit that I need to spend more time on LinkedIn. It is not one of my favorites, but I know it is an important one to learn.

Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald
11 years ago

Great advice as always Kim. LinkedIn is really one tool I don't understand or utilize and these tips will really help.

Olga Hermans
Olga Hermans
11 years ago

Isn't it strange that a lot people struggle with LinkIn and say that it is not their most favorite platform to get involved with; I am one of them. This gave me enough information to start digging into LinkedIn and make some connections; thanks Kim!!

Becky Fisher
Becky Fisher
11 years ago

Thanks, Kim! LinkedIn is the next platform that I want to hit hard. My profile 'says' it's complete but I know  there is so much more to do! I've bookmarked so I can return 🙂

admin
admin
Reply to  Becky Fisher
11 years ago

LinkedIn does have so much value and it’s often overlooked. Great B2B and B2C resource!

Kim Hawkins
Kim Hawkins
11 years ago

I've been making an effort to contact people personally once I've made a connection and it's proving to be one of my new best practices. That's where the engagement really starts to begin.

Linda Jenkins
Linda Jenkins
11 years ago

Thanks for such wonderful tips on linkedin! Stand out in a crowd–yes!

admin
admin
Reply to  Linda Jenkins
11 years ago

Thanks, Linda!

Mandy Edwards
Mandy Edwards
11 years ago

Great LinkedIn tips! ,I love LI and it is such a great platform to interact with other business owners. 

admin
admin
11 years ago

Holly, glad you got value from this article 😉

Christy Lee
Christy Lee
11 years ago

Great tips Kim, I have not jumped into the deep end of that pool yet. So thank you for educating me on how to better utilize it.

Gina Parris
Gina Parris
11 years ago

Oh boy – I know I need to get more situated on Linked in. I'm bookmarking this page to take more action.

admin
admin
Reply to  Gina Parris
11 years ago

LinkedIn is a pretty amazing platform and gets overlooked by many.

Beth Heilman
Beth Heilman
11 years ago

Love these tips Kim!! LinkedIn is so valuable to the Real Estate people I work with. Going to use this article as my checklist from now on. Thanks!!

admin
admin
Reply to  Beth Heilman
11 years ago

LinkedIn is something we’ll definitely have to master for you as there are many realtors on LinkedIn 😉

admin
admin
11 years ago

Thanks for the comment, Norma.

admin
admin
11 years ago

You can do it, Suzanne 😉

Theresa Cifali
11 years ago

I have built quite a rolodex of relevant contact on my LinkedIn.  I love it for that.  I still need to spend some time optimizing it.  While all of my information is filled out, I am guilty of not using apps.  If I could just find a few more hours in a day!  lol

admin
admin
Reply to  Theresa Cifali
11 years ago

I hear the few more hours in every day 🙂

Saurav Sharma
Saurav Sharma
11 years ago

Hi Kim, After reading this post I analyze your profile completely how can I visible to everyone and impress others. Really you are awesome in social media, you know everything in social media.

admin
admin
Reply to  Saurav Sharma
11 years ago

Thanks for dropping in Saurav!

Chris McKinney
Chris McKinney
11 years ago

Great information on LinkedIn.  We all should pay more attention to it.

admin
admin
Reply to  Chris McKinney
11 years ago

Thanks Chris! Appreciate you dropping by!

Matt Brennan
Matt Brennan
11 years ago

Good tips. LinkedIn is still hugely important for anyone in the B2B arena. 

Ben Huynh
Ben Huynh
9 years ago

Great informative! Thank you for publishing.

Maheswar Behera
Maheswar Behera
9 years ago

Really your post is helpful and effective.

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