As a hard-working professional, likely you already have a LinkedIn account. But like approximately 50% of LinkedIn’s 500 million strong user base, you might not have updated it in months. Or perhaps you never even finished filling out your profile.
If this sounds like you, today is the day to make the change. Whether you’re a small business owner or heading up a large B2B corporation, not having an up-to-date profile is as unimaginable as not having business cards. LinkedIn is your gateway to networking success.
Not convinced? We’ve put together a list of important reasons to create (or update) your LinkedIn account today.
1.Stay Connected to Your Network
When you meet a key player in your field at a conference or via email, you exchange contact details. However, it’s not uncommon for business cards to get lost or email addresses to go astray. Adding a new professional contact to a well-fleshed-out profile (example: take a look at this Lori Janeson LinkedIn profile) or company page is a great way to keep your connection warm and stay fresh in their mind. To easily establish rapport with your potential business partner, simply comment on their content or like their status updates.
2. Google Loves LinkedIn
When someone Googles your company, your website will most likely be the top result. The second? Your LinkedIn company page. Unlike your company website, where potential clients will have to wade through several pages to find your contact information, your LinkedIn profile provides a quick and easy way to get an overview of your business. Additionally, having a LinkedIn profile connected to your other social media platforms will improve your digital credibility and improve your SEO.
3. Monitor Your Competitors
To be a successful business, especially in the competitive B2B market, you need to stay on top of trends. Studies show that a huge 94% of B2B marketers utilize LinkedIn to distribute their content. If you’re a savvy marketer, you can use this information to anticipate fluctuations in your industry and preempt new trends and needs from your target audience. Even better, you can keep a close eye on rival company employees, which is perfect for talent acquisition.
4. Build Trust with Potential Clients
When you’re trying to build long-term relationships with other businesses, trust is key. A Fortune 500 company isn’t going to outsource its stationary needs to just anyone. If you want to hook big clients, you need to establish yourself as a credible business. When a client looks at your LinkedIn page, provided it is up to date and well populated, it will show them that you’re active and engaged within your field. Additionally, LinkedIn’s recommendation feature can act as added incentive to choose your company over a competitor.
5. Introduce New Products & Services
Studies have found that one of the top reasons people follow brands on social media platforms is to receive information about products and promotions. While B2C customers tend to use Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to alert customers to product launches, LinkedIn is a more appropriate equivalent for B2B companies. In fact, over 50% of vendors state that they’ve generated sales via LinkedIn. Detail how your new product or service will help clients achieve their professional outcomes, then link them to your company website to convert them to sales. Getting automation services for LinkedIn may help to increase your sale as well.
When we think about social media marketing, LinkedIn isn’t necessarily the first platform that springs to mind. However, for B2B companies, it is a great tool to have in your arsenal. Refresh your LinkedIn company page today and get ready to see your sales soar.
Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.