How valuable Linkedin could be for you personally, and for your business.

Linkedin is known as “the business platform”. It was founded in 2003 by Reid Hoffman, and other members. [1].

Though Linkedin is primarily used as a business platform, it can also help shape an individual’s career trajectory — think of it as your digital resume for hiring managers! That being said, if you have a company, there are also ways you can increase metrics that are important to establish a following.

Here are some tips that may help aid in landing a job compared to other users simply viewing your profile:

• Having an accurate profile: You should have a high-quality, professional looking photo. In the “headline” portion of your profile, use keywords for the type of career you are looking for.

[2]

• Outlining Work Experience: Describe tasks you took on within a specific role, and provide measurable metrics — for example, “Grew Linkedin following by X% for Y brand.” This helps the viewer/hiring manager understand that value-add. Also, show off any other multimedia documents you worked on by “attaching” it to that specific role. You may also want to include any certifications, online courses, awards or recognition received along the way. This will communicate that you are a subject matter expert in your field of expertise.

[3]

It is important to note that these should be updated at every professional milestone completed.

• Recommendations & Endorsements: When an individual thinks about switching roles/changing companies — there is a high likelihood that the new organization will ask for references — by former co-workers. By having this already completed, it will provide a sense of trustworthiness to the new company or an individual that may reach out to you.

[4]

On the business side, if you have a company page, these are some helpful tips:

• Publish content that is both true to the company & industry-wide information: What do I exactly mean by this? Obviously the more organic the content, the better. But an organization should also aggregate industry-wide data through blogs, news publications, and utilize Linkedin stories. This should be done to make sure the content is always refreshed, compared to stagnant content.
• Run Ad campaigns: This is a great way to do targeted-based marketing for your business. Now, with the ability to set location and demographic-based metrics, this is another marketing channel — that if used successfully, can really help an individual’s business grow and reach new heights.
• Share information in groups: By sharing information about your company in similar industry-based groups, it will not only help forge business relationships but help grow your company.

While Linkedin may be considered “another platform”, it is important to remember this: However much effort you put into building your digital brand will equate to the value-add you get out of it.

Sources:

[1] LinkedIn — Wikipedia

[2] Google Images, Linkedin Profile

[3] Google Images, Linkedin Work Experience

[4] Google Images, Linkedin Recommendations

Tej Yale is the Founder/CEO of ThinkImpact Inc, a Marketing Company based in Rochester Hills, Michigan. They offer Social Media Management, Content Management, Graphic Design, Event Promotion, Website Development, Marketing Consulting, Project Management, Business Support.

You can learn more at www.thinkimpact1st.com