MarketSpan

LinkedIn is the most powerful B2B social networking site to help grow businesses.  It makes Twitter, Facebook and YouTube seem like social networking sites for kids. If you want to hang with the big players—a place where connections are made, leads are generated, and deals go down—then LinkedIn is the place to be.

Although other sites have their purpose in the business world, LinkedIn is still the place to market your business amongst other businesses.  Here are 5 ways to use LinkedIn and get results:

1. Use LinkedIn Groups & Receive New Leads Daily

Creating a LinkedIn group creates the ability to generate an amazing number of leads from high-end decision makers. However, ensure that the created group fills a need for the audience being targeted.

Some great groups to closely examine are:

    * Sports Industry Network
    * Inbound Marketers – For marketing professionals
    * Social Media Marketing
    * Tweeple
    * On Startups – A community for entrepreneurs

Maximize your LinkedIn group by:

   1. Adding keywords in the description of your group to increase your search rankings on LinkedIn’s search section.
   2. Adding keywords in the title of the group to be found on Google.
   3. Adding your company website or blog to the group to drive traffic to your site.
   4. Adding your blog RSS feed to the group so every new article is automatically posted to the home page of every group member.
   5. Sending a weekly message that adds value for group members and drives traffic back to your site.
   6. Connecting people in the group by making introductions to those who could potentially do business with one another.

All of these points will help you generate more business leads.

2.  Ask Questions & Build Credibility

Asking questions using LinkedIn Answers is a great way to get answers from some of the top experts in the world.

First of all, ensure that the “Answers Application” on the bottom right-hand side of the home page is set for known subjects.

This image shows a sampling of the categories that can be monitored.

When a question comes up that can be answered, follow these steps:

   1. Research the person who asked the question, and find a way to tie in a personal response with something from their LinkedIn profile.
   2. Be as helpful and resourceful as possible when answering the question.  Give tips, website links with additional information, or even recommend someone who is the best expert on that topic.
   3. Leave the answer with an open invitation for more communication by asking them to contact you privately if they need any extra help.

To build powerful relationships that grow businesses answer others questions.

3. Create Powerful Events

Hosting an event is a great way to build a business (see events under the ‘More…’ news in the LinkedIn navigation bar).  LinkedIn has an events platform that can target thousands of professionals for free.

Due to the viral nature of LinkedIn, once someone RSVPs to an event, it shows up on the home profile of everyone that person is connected to, spreading the message.

Creating an event on LinkedIn is simple.  Answer a few questions and start promoting an event.  Send an invitation to the people who would be interested in the event based on region or niche.

4. Run an Advanced Search for a Target Market

It’s easy to generate leads from LinkedIn.  The advanced search function helps locate a specific target audience.

Simply click on “advanced” on the top right side of the home page next to the search box.  From here, input the exact lead being sought.  Searches can be made by industry, keywords, company, title…to mention but a few. LinkedIn’s niche-specific filters and search features help to reach the right people in a given field.

5.  Send Personal Messages

Once leads have been found, send personalised messages. Look at their profile, find out which companies they’ve worked for in the past, which school they attended, what groups they’re in, listed hobbies and any mutual connections.  Then, write a personal message.

Personal messages seal the deal and create a greater chance of future opportunities.

Make a point of staying active on LinkedIn. Continue to update your profile and add new contacts. The more you put into it, the more the entire network will work for you.

Original article posted by Lewis Howes