The Benefits of LinkedIn for your Business

What is LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is the world’s largest business-oriented social networking site. It is the leading professional social network with over 70 million members and it is growing rapidly. LinkedIn allows you to create your own personal, professional profile which connects you to your trusted contacts and allows you to grow your contacts.

The Benefits of LinkedIn for your Business

1. Company Profiles. LinkedIn enables you to create a profile on your oranisation. You control what information is posted on LinkedIn so it can be the most accurate and up-to-date information with your organsiation’s logos and branding. You can provide a precise and full description of what your company does, the services it provides, the products it produces and future business opportunities. This will get your organisation recognised, especially in your local markets. However LinkedIn is global so your organisation is gaining global exposure!

2. Increase your visibility. LinkedIn allows you to add connections to your company profile. This means that more people will be able to view your profile when they are searching for advice, an organisation to do business with and referrals. Your organisation will gain more recognition and should start to generate more activity for your business. This will lead to mutually beneficial relationships, new customers and trusted business partnerships.

3. Improve your search engine results. LinkedIn is promoted on search engines like Google and Yahoo. If a search is conducted that matches your organisation then this will appear in the search engine results and so your business will receive greater exposure.

4. Improved recrtuiment. As an employer, you can greatly increase the relevancy of your advertising and search for potential employees by using LinkedIn’s advanced search. This tool allows you to use keywords, for example, “web development” and “marketing strategist”. This will narrow your search to a list of suitable candidates from which you can make your final decision. LinkedIn also allows you advertise vancancies at your company enabling you to recruit potential employees with the correct capablities and qualifications that will fit into your organisation. If this person is subsequently not interested in the position then the vancancy can be referred onto a candidate that will fit the role. LinkedIn aids the recruitment process in a tough hiring market.

5. LinkedIn Answers. This is a facility that allows your organisation to share and receive business knowledge and advice. Your company can showcase its talent and expertise while simultaneously gaining knowledge and business advice from hundreds of thousands of experts in your field of business. This tool allows you to stay abreast of the latest trends, developments and events in your market, keeping you one step ahead of your competitors.

6. Analyse your competiton. LinkedIn will help you track your competitors, see who is in their team, who their partners are, who their customers are and what products or services they provide. In a tough, highly competitve market, this information could prove invaluable for your company and allow you to gain the competitive advantage over your rivals.

7. It’s free! Most of the services that LinkedIn provide are free. The only cost that your business will incurr will be the time taken to create and maintain your LinkedIn profile. However the benefits will heavily outweigh the costs with LinkedIn. So join the social media wave and get your business recognised.

Get in touch today if you would like 10th Step’s help with bringing your business into the social media sphere.