Using LinkedIn for lead generation – Organically!
LinkedIn is a great platform for professional networking, job hunting/hiring and content sharing. But if used right it also a great platform for creating brand awareness and client outreach and lead generation. I recently met someone at a networking event in Muscat who asked me for tips on using LinkedIn for business development, which nudged me to write this article. Follow these 7 tips and see your business grow!
- Have a complete profile
As easy as that sounds, it’s funny to know that a majority of people don’t give importance to the completeness of their profile. Since you are assessed by that one page profile, you have to make sure that it is clean, concise, crisp and powerful. Remember a complete profile will increase your chances of being visible in searches.
- Powerful company Page
Along with having a complete profile page it is vital to have a strong company page. It should include details about your company, products/ services you sell, number of employees etc. Stay engaged – broadcast updates, post new jobs and keep in touch with your existing customer base.
- Be part of groups and participate in discussions
LinkedIn has groups for every industry niche possible. Join these groups and take part in discussions. They typically comprise people looking for support, answers or just networking opportunities in their industry. Give your expert knowledge freely, and build relationships to become a go to source of advice and generate new leads for your business. Keep in mind though, you can join no more than 50 groups.
- Research profile views
A particularly savvy feature in LinkedIn is the ability to know who’s viewed your profile. It’s not a bad idea to connect with these people. Just send in a short message, for example – “Hi, I noticed you recently visited my profile, would love to connect with you”. Anyone who has spent time on your profile is probably worth reaching out to and is a potential lead.
- Use advanced search
Always search your network for leads. The great part about this is that your search results can be saved and you will be alerted when new people match your saved search.
- Engage, Engage, Engage
You have 1000+ connections? Awesome! But what good are these connections if you never keep in touch? Post about your industry, business, or just motivational quotes, anything that is relevant and engaging. You will be surprised with the amount of interaction you will get. A weekly post should be good to keep you seen within your network.
- Connect with Twitter
With LinkedIn, you can link your Twitter account to your profile, a feature not many people know about. If you are active on twitter this would be really helpful to amplify the reach of your updates. This feature enables your tweets to be automatically reposted for your LinkedIn followers.
Hope these tips to use LinkedIn for lead generation helps build your company a clientele.
Feel free to connect with me.