How do I market my small business on LinkedIn?

Marketing is hard work and it's even harder if you're trying to reach the right audience without spending too much money. One of the best ways to target people who are interested in what you have to offer is through social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. However, there's another platform out there which might be just as effective but easier to manage than these giants - LinkedIn!

LinkedIn has been around since 2003 when it was called The Professional Network and now boasts over 400 million users worldwide - more than any other professional network. In terms of size alone, it would seem that LinkedIn is one of the most powerful networks available today. But how does it compare against its competitors? How well is it used by marketers looking to build their brand and attract new customers? And can you really take advantage of all the features and benefits offered by the site?

In this article we will look at some simple steps you can take to improve your visibility using LinkedIn. If you want to know more about why you need to use LinkedIn, read our guide on why you should be using LinkedIn. We also provide further advice on improving your profile and increasing engagement with your connections here.

We've already provided an introduction into how to use LinkedIn for business purposes here so if you'd rather skip straight to the useful tips then jump ahead to "How do I market my small business on LinkedIn?" below.

Can you put your small business on LinkedIn?

If you're thinking of adding your small or micro business to LinkedIn then congratulations because they are both allowed under the rules. You'll find them listed as 'SMB' (Small & Medium Business) accounts alongside larger enterprises such as banks, retail stores and charities. These companies often receive preferential treatment on LinkedIn due to being able to afford an account manager or dedicated team member. So if you're not sure whether your product qualifies then check out their eligibility criteria here.

But don't worry, if your business doesn't qualify then there are plenty of others out there that will welcome you with open arms. There are many different types of SMBs including tech startups and freelancers who may struggle to meet the requirements. For example, while many large corporations make up part of the list, few of them actually employ fewer than 250 employees. This means that even though the likes of Google, Apple and Microsoft aren't included, smaller brands like Amazon, eBay and Etsy are still eligible.

If you haven't added your business yet then go ahead and click Add Company to see where it takes you.

Should I put my small business on my LinkedIn?

It depends entirely on what kind of business you run and what products or services you sell. As mentioned above, there are two categories of SMB accounts on LinkedIn - those owned by individuals (known as Individual Accounts), and those owned by organisations (known as Organisational Accounts). While individual accounts are free to join, organisation accounts require payment.

Individual accounts tend to be less popular than organisational ones, although this isn't always true. It all comes down to personal preference, but keep in mind that if someone is paying for an account then they probably expect something back in return. Whether you choose to invest time and resources into building a strong presence on LinkedIn, or simply opt for paid advertising, you'll likely reap greater rewards from targeted efforts made towards specific industries or markets.

Organisations can usually benefit from increased exposure across multiple channels, especially if they share common goals and interests. They can also boost local SEO rankings and increase online sales via eCommerce websites. On the flip side, however, there could be drawbacks to having your own website hosted on a third party domain. Not only can this affect your search engine ranking but you won't be able to control the content or functionality of your pages.

The choice is yours, but whichever route you decide upon remember that your primary goal is to grow your business and connect with potential clients. Your account status shouldn't impact either way unless you consider yourself a high enough priority.

How do I add my small business to LinkedIn?

Once you've decided whether or not you want to sign up for a LinkedIn account, you'll need to follow these three easy steps to complete the process:

1. Go to www.linkedin.com/company/add/. Here you'll be prompted to enter your name, contact details and industry. After completing this information, you'll be taken to a screen asking you to verify the accuracy of your data before proceeding.

2. Select Yes, I am a legitimate business owner.

3. Click Register Now. A confirmation email containing instructions will arrive shortly after submitting this form. Once received, fill in the necessary fields and submit your application.

4. When approved, you'll receive a code to set up your LinkedIn account. Log in to LinkedIn and copy the URL link provided in the email. Head to your web browser, paste the code into the address bar and hit Enter.

5. Fill in your password and select Sign Up. Congratulations! You now have access to your very own LinkedIn profile.

6. From here you can start creating your own profile and uploading images to showcase your expertise. To begin doing this, head to My Profile from the top navigation menu.

7. Start filling out your profile by clicking Edit Profile. Next you'll want to upload pictures and videos to display your personality, skills and experience.

8. Use the Find People feature to locate professionals in your field of interest. You can also send messages directly to anyone who appears interesting to you.

9. Keep checking back regularly to ensure no errors creep into your profile.

10. Make sure you engage with relevant groups and conversations. This helps you stay connected with colleagues and peers within your niche.

11. Finally, once you feel comfortable with your profile, you can start promoting yourself by sharing articles via your feed and posting updates to your activities.

12. Share your posts widely by following the guidelines outlined earlier. Remember to include links wherever possible to give readers additional insight into your topic.

This short tutorial should help you understand the basics of setting up your LinkedIn account and getting started with your first post. To learn more advanced tactics for driving traffic to your website, check out our guide on how to drive leads to your landing page on LinkedIn.

What should small businesses post on LinkedIn?

When deciding what to write about on your profile and blog, you should think carefully about your ideal client base and write accordingly. Be honest about what you offer and what makes you unique compared to your competition - nobody wants to deal with a pushy salesman. Instead, aim to portray yourself as a reliable resource who offers value to everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or profession. That said, there are certain topics that are guaranteed to resonate with every reader.

Here is our recommended list of must-include sections:

Headline: Write a catchy headline that captures attention immediately. Include keywords related to your service or products. Try to avoid long paragraphs and unnecessary text.

Summary: Tell visitors what sets you apart from the rest. Offer your credentials, strengths and areas of expertise. Avoid writing a sales pitch.

Experience section: List previous projects, achievements and certifications. Don't forget to mention any awards or accolades you've earned.

Skills: Highlight your technical proficiency and knowledge of subject matter. Showcase your ability to solve problems.

Interests: Choose a handful of key words that describe your passion and hobbies.

Photos: Upload photos showcasing your personality, style and professionalism. Consider adding a video clip showing off your talents, accomplishments or anything else that catches your eye.

Bio: Explain your background in detail and highlight your passions and career aspirations.

LinkedIN is a great place to advertise your small business, but you shouldn't stop there. Take full advantage of all the features and benefits offered by the site to maximize your returns. Check out our guides on how to optimize your profile, how to use LinkedIn Groups effectively and how to become a LinkedIn Influencer for more insights.

You can also try our tips for making the most of LinkedIn Ads, which are designed specifically for small businesses.

LinkedIn has become one of the most popular social media platforms in recent years and is used by millions of people across all industries worldwide. If you're using it as part of your overall digital marketing campaign then there's no reason why your business shouldn't have its own presence on the platform too.

In fact, some companies are even turning to LinkedIn as their primary channel - whether they want to drive traffic to an online store or just increase brand awareness through networking opportunities. But if you aren’t sure where to start when it comes to promoting yourself on LinkedIn (or any other social network), here are our top 10 tips for getting started.

What should businesses be posting on LinkedIn?

The best way to find out what your competition is doing on LinkedIn is simply to look at what they're sharing! You'll see everything from job openings, news about products, videos being shared by employees, new hires, press releases and more. So, before you begin thinking about your own content strategy, make sure you've looked over what others are already putting up.

If you know who your competitors are, don't forget to check out which ones they connect with, too. This will give you ideas on who you'd like to target and also what type of posts would resonate well with them. It might not always work directly against your competitors but it could inspire you into creating something different and interesting enough to stand out.

You may think "Well, everyone knows me!" Well, perhaps so, but maybe someone else doesn't yet. A strong profile and clear message will go a long way towards helping you establish credibility and trust within the industry. As such, you need to ensure that you show off your expertise whenever possible. Whether it's through case studies, speaking engagements, articles published elsewhere, or anything else that showcases your knowledge and experience, share it! Make sure you include links back to your website/blog wherever possible.

You might notice that many professionals on LinkedIn seem to focus on their professional careers rather than their personal lives. While this isn't necessarily bad practice, if you want to really grab attention, then you need to present a balanced picture. Showcase both sides of yourself and keep things interesting.

It's important to remember that while LinkedIn is primarily focused on connecting people based upon their connections, it still works well as a place to showcase information - including your latest projects and accomplishments. And because it allows users to comment on each other's updates, it gives you another opportunity to engage with potential customers without ever having to talk face-to-face.

What should a business first post on LinkedIn be?

Now we come to the meaty bit – deciding exactly what you want to say! The perfect headline is often hard to pin down, especially if you're trying to appeal to a large audience, so try brainstorming several options until you settle on something that feels right. Ideally, you'll want to capture a reader's interest immediately, but it's worth remembering that LinkedIn is primarily seen as a tool for professional purposes, so you won't gain much traction if your headline says "I'm looking for a new job" instead of "My last employer was great!".

A good rule of thumb is to write short statements. People tend to skim text on their phones, so try to limit your headlines to around 100 characters. Keep things simple and straightforward, avoid jargon and acronyms unless you truly understand what the acronym means, and stick to keywords related to your field. Try to aim for 3-5 words per line, though longer sentences might feel less formal. Think of your headline as a sales pitch that grabs people's attention and gets them interested in continuing reading further.

So now let's move onto how to promote your business on LinkedIn...

How do I promote my small business on LinkedIn?

To get the ball rolling, head straight to LinkedIn's homepage and sign up for a premium account. Premium accounts allow you to publish unlimited blog posts, upload high quality images, and send automated emails to followers. If you haven't got access to these features yet, you can opt for a basic account instead. Either way, once logged in, click 'Create Profile' under the 'Profile & Settings' tab at the bottom left.

Next, fill in your name and current position, along with details of your education, areas of expertise etc., and choose between your gender and 'Public'. Once done, continue with filling in your contact info and uploading your photo. Then hit the blue button labelled 'Save Changes', followed by clicking 'Sign In'. Now you're ready to get started!

Once you've created your profile, the next step is to build your connections. To do this, navigate to your Account settings, select 'Connections', and scroll down to the option called 'People you May Know.' Click on 'Add Connection' and follow LinkedIn's instructions. Don't worry if you can't figure it out at first, it takes time to grow your list.

After adding a few connections, you'll receive messages inviting you to join groups relevant to your interests. These are fantastic ways to meet new contacts and expand your network. However, you should only join specific groups that fit your niche, otherwise you risk diluting your original purpose for joining LinkedIn in the first place.

Finally, you'll probably notice that LinkedIn offers plenty of templates for you to download and customize to suit your needs. There are literally hundreds available, ranging from standard cover letters to infographics, landing pages, presentations and more. Take advantage of these resources and tailor them according to your goals. For example, a template designed specifically to attract clients can work wonders for attracting leads and increasing visibility among prospective employers. Alternatively, you could turn it into a resource library for teaching others about your services and provide downloadable PDFs to anyone who requests them.

For a full breakdown of how to manage your LinkedIn profile effectively, read our complete guide here.

What should a small business post?

With thousands of profiles vying for your attention, it's easy to get overwhelmed and unsure of what to actually put on your profile. Here are five suggestions for writing effective updates:

1) Write about experiences that demonstrate your skills or achievements.

2) Share useful insights and advice that others might benefit from knowing.

3) Focus on providing value to readers.

4) Be authentic and genuine. Your profile reflects your personality, so make sure it accurately represents you and your business.

5) Include links to external sites with valuable content. By linking to outside websites, you can encourage engagement from those visiting your profile. Also consider adding links to blogs that offer additional insight and thought leadership.

As well as updating your status regularly, take advantage of LinkedIn's group functionality. Groups are essentially virtual communities that enable members to discuss topics relating to their area of expertise. They're ideal places to ask questions, learn about trends, and discover new tools and apps. Plus, group discussions are generally shorter than individual updates, giving you more room to introduce key points.

And finally, don't forget to update your email signature to include your logo and link to your LinkedIn profile, so prospects can easily find you there.

LinkedIn is one of the best ways to find and connect with potential clients. It's also an excellent tool for promoting yourself as well as your products or services. With over 1 billion users and more than 100 million companies listed in its database, it's easy to see why so many people are using LinkedIn. But what about those who don't know where to start when it comes to getting their brand out there? Here we'll give you our top 10 tips for creating effective promotional content to boost awareness, generate leads, and ultimately grow your business through social media.

To make things easier, we've broken down each tip into separate sections based on whether they're focused around promotion (what you post), engagement (who sees it) or searchability (where others are likely to look). We recommend starting at the beginning if you want to learn everything that's possible on LinkedIn!

Note: If you'd like to read up even further, check out these articles by LinkedIn experts: How To Build A Strong Presence On Linkedin For Business And Professionals, The Ultimate Guide To Building Your Company Profile On LinkedIn & The Definitive Guide To Using LinkedIn To Get More Leads.

We hope you enjoy learning all about LinkedIn marketing -- and remember to share your own experiences below!

How do you land clients on LinkedIn?

1. Create a profile that shows off your professional skills

A strong personal profile will go a long way towards helping you stand apart from other professionals. You should include a photo, relevant information about yourself, any awards or recognitions you have received, links to your blog/articles/videos etc., and anything else that makes you unique. This will show prospective clients not only that you're qualified but also that you understand exactly what they need.

2. Add endorsements to showcase your expertise

Endorsements allow you to highlight specific achievements within your career field. They're particularly useful for showing your qualifications and experience because they provide a clear indication of how much you value something. Endorsing someone means that you believe he has demonstrated mastery in his area of work. When a client reads this, she knows that you're confident enough in your abilities to endorse someone else without hesitation--that says a lot about both you and her!

3. Connect with industry leaders

If you haven't already done so, try connecting with some key figures within your chosen industry. Not only does being connected with them mean that they may be able to refer future prospects back to you, but you might also receive valuable advice from them too. Make sure you ask questions first before accepting requests though, as doing so could leave you open to spamming.

4. Join groups related to your niche

Joining industry-specific groups allows you to interact directly with other members of your target audience. Most online communities feature forums where users discuss various topics relating to their interests, which gives you plenty of opportunities to engage with people with similar needs to yours. By joining and participating regularly, you build trust among group participants and strengthen relationships with fellow members. Plus, you never know who might turn out to be a great prospect for your business...

5. Use targeted advertisements

You can advertise across different platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Google AdWords, Bing Ads, etc. to reach a wider range of customers. However, since LinkedIn offers the most accurate targeting options, it's worth spending time here specifically. Take advantage of the platform's advanced targeting features to ensure that your ad reaches precisely the right type of person. That way, you won't waste money sending messages to anyone outside of your ideal customer base.

6. Post engaging updates

One of the main reasons people stay active on social networks is due to the constant stream of updates generated by popular profiles. These posts act as mini sales pitches that keep readers interested until the next update arrives. So, rather than just posting generic status updates every once in awhile, think about including interesting facts, quotes, images, videos, and other material to keep your followers engaged. Try to avoid making regular announcements however, otherwise you risk coming across as overly pushy.

7. Promote events

Your connections on LinkedIn will appreciate knowing about upcoming industry events that interest them. So whenever you notice an event happening in your local community, send them a quick message letting them know about it. In return, you'll gain access to lots of fresh contacts who might be willing to attend. Be careful though, as going overboard with emails and phone calls could come across as annoying or spammy.

8. Share helpful resources

As mentioned earlier, LinkedIn users love sharing knowledge and insights with one another. Whether you're looking to educate your existing network or simply introduce your product to newcomers, there's no shortage of places to submit your resource. One simple way to increase exposure is to take part in user-generated content contests hosted by third-party websites. Alternatively, consider asking influencers within your space to write guest columns. Either option provides a nice opportunity for you to position your business alongside high quality content written by respected names.

9. Follow influencers

Influencer marketing is a powerful tactic used by businesses big and small to drive traffic and conversions. Instead of wasting your efforts trying to convince random strangers to buy your stuff, focus instead on reaching out to influential individuals in your desired demographic and offering them incentives to mention your brand. Influencers tend to have large followings, meaning you can rely on them to spread the word far and wide. Once you've built a relationship with them, you'll be able to leverage their influence to improve your visibility.

10. Write reviews

Reviews aren't just limited to physical items anymore--they can apply to virtually anything from movies to books, restaurants to apps. As a result of this trend, reviewing your favorite brands via sites like Yelp or TripAdvisor now plays an increasingly important role in influencing consumers' purchasing decisions. Since so many people rely heavily on recommendations nowadays, having a positive review on your website could end up boosting sales significantly.

How do I get new clients on LinkedIn?

There are two primary approaches you can take to attracting new clients on LinkedIn: creating an account and then building your presence, or setting up a campaign and following a set process. Let's tackle each method separately.

First, let's begin with creating an account. While you can sign up for a trial membership to test out the service, you must pay $25 per month afterwards. Otherwise, you can choose between three subscription plans: Standard ($15/month), Pro ($30/month), and Premium ($50/month). Each plan includes access to a number of additional tools such as customizing cover photos, adding location details, editing your biography, sharing content, and tracking your performance metrics. However, note that the price doesn't change depending on how often you log in either.

Second, let's move onto campaigns. Campaigns give you the ability to automate certain tasks, saving you precious time. After signing up for a campaign, you can select which actions you would like to perform automatically. Then, you can schedule these activities to run throughout the day, week, or year. Some examples of common actions include sending personalized email notifications, replying to comments left by current followers, uploading files to your profile, and publishing posts to your feed.

With that said, campaigns offer a wealth of possibilities. To get started, click "Create New Campaign" and fill out the form provided. From there, you'll be taken to a dashboard where you can edit your settings and view analytics data. Select the appropriate action from the list of available choices and adjust the parameters accordingly. Keep in mind that while some actions require payment, others cost nothing. Also, you can save templates and repeatable processes under the "Automate Processes" section for later use. Finally, after you complete the setup process, you'll be presented with a link to download the software necessary to manage your campaign.

Is LinkedIn good for finding clients?

That depends entirely on what kind of business you operate. It's certainly convenient to be able to communicate with hundreds of thousands of people when you're ready to sell your goods or services. But if you're running a B2B startup, you probably shouldn't expect to find a significant amount of interested buyers on LinkedIn alone. Instead, focus on developing a solid reputation on social channels such as Twitter or Quora.

On the other hand, if you're selling a digital product, you should definitely utilize LinkedIn's advertising capabilities. Just keep in mind that it's generally far cheaper to purchase lead generation programs designed for marketers than it is to hire a full-time employee to handle the task. Still, if you feel comfortable managing your own paid advertising campaign, you can always opt to put together a DIY system that works for you.