\n\n\n\n
Q: Should small business owners use LinkedIn?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A: <\/strong>Small business owners should use LinkedIn because the platform can be a cost effective way to network and grow your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Social media is a vast world, but small businesses who successfully use platforms like LinkedIn can set themselves apart from the competition and grow an online community unlike any other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The early to mid-2000s served as a time when people no longer had to find friends in real life \u2014 they could simply click the \u201cSend Friend Request\u201d button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instantaneous connection made it simple to reach an audience that the average person never would have in real life. Social media users could say that they had friends from all over the world, even though they had never met them face-to-face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While social media might be hit or miss for developing true friendships, it certainly has proved helpful to small businesses looking to expand their reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Businesses were able to create their own profile pages in order to build community on popular social media sites<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For those looking for a more professional online presence, LinkedIn for small businesses became their best bet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Social media has become one of the most critical tools for businesses<\/a>. If a business does not have a Facebook or Instagram page, their advertising and marketing is probably viewed as outdated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, we now know that not all social media is the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Twitter marketing is associated with quick quips or memes relative to a business, while companies use Instagram to give followers a visual representation of their products or services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n LinkedIn<\/a>, in particular, has served as a social media platform specifically made for professional networking, job searches, and other work-related discussions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2003, LinkedIn launched its platform that allows job seekers to upload resumes and cover letters to their unique profile, and businesses to post job opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since then, the platform has skyrocketed and has quickly become a one-stop-shop for job seeking, networking, and marketing for 756 million users worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professionals and businesses of all sizes use it to showcase their business, post articles and job openings, and network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But how can a small business utilize LinkedIn to its fullest potential?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Signing up on LinkedIn is a fairly simple process. You can sign up as an individual or as a business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First, start with a personal LinkedIn profile. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can create one easily on the homepage of the website and fill out any information you please, including your name, a brief description of your job title, a personal photo, skill highlights, job history, and whatever else you feel necessary to add.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip: <\/strong>Including a photo can lead to 21 times more profile views<\/a> and nine times more connection requests, according to research from LinkedIn.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n From there, you can create a brand new company page that incorporates everything you want LinkedIn users to know about your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the \u201cCreate a LinkedIn Page,\u201d you can fill out more details about your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The process will look something like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n These are the essentials for starting your LinkedIn page for small businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, it\u2019s important to note that simply including your company\u2019s basic information is not enough. Having your brand\u2019s voice shine through on your profile is essential to stand out from the millions of other profiles on the platform.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Once the business page is set up, make sure that your employees all share it on their own profiles to increase engagement. This will help pull in a larger audience and help your business gain awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After uploading your business logo, you can get more creative about growing your online community and interacting with new potential customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n LinkedIn allows prospecting for small businesses to go beyond the salesy trope companies often fall into \u2014 it humanizes your company and makes your audience more inclined to support the brand. A professional LinkedIn headshots<\/a> for each employee can also enhance your team\u2019s credibility, making your business look polished and approachable to potential customers.<\/p>\n\n\n After experimenting with how you want your LinkedIn business page to look like, the platform allows you to use analytics to see which methods are working and which are not building the type of online traction and engagement needed for a successful profile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Knowing what does and doesn\u2019t work will be crucial when building your online community, and inevitable in the effort to get your company\u2019s name out there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using LinkedIn for small businesses not only shows that your company is committed to getting its message out into the world, but it also provides a space for like-minded people to (virtually) gather, discuss, and share insights about your industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But this all starts with showcasing your brand\u2019s voice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When establishing what your company\u2019s voice will sound like, the most important lesson to note is that you must <\/em>avoid viewing your audience as dollar signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Companies who have humanized their brand\u2019s social media voice have found great success and support for their company in the long run. <\/p>\n\n\n For example, diner chain Denny\u2019s has become an unlikely Twitter phenomenon, frequently posting viral, wisecracking tweets that are witty, humorous, and meme-driven. Using this strategy, Denny\u2019s often sees high engagement levels despite simply being a restaurant chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So unless you\u2019re marketing life-saving services or products, ensure your content weaves light-hearted and down-to-earth quips, while still offering an enticing and informative tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This all still requires staying true to your company\u2019s brand and that your message resonates with people who interact with your LinkedIn page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best way to tap into this audience is to consistently share content that is relevant to both your company and industry as a whole. Doing so establishes your company as an expert in the field, which means people will turn to your page when they need help or information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also essential to comment on posts that are relevant to your industry, send connection requests, respond to comments on your posts, and accept connection requests from others. Some LinkedIn users choose to be very picky about who they connect with; others accept nearly everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you interact with professionals in your universe, more users will be guided to follow your page, which will inevitably make them more likely to interact with your content, purchase your products or services, and share your business to their own personal page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And the more you\u2019re able to expand your presence on the platform, the more reach you get to a global audience.<\/p>\n\n\n In fact, research from Sprout Social has shown that, after following a brand on social media<\/a>, 91% of consumers will visit their website, 89% will purchase from the brand, and 85% will recommend it to someone they know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting started on sharing content and seeing what sticks will require trial and error. But where can companies start?<\/p>\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve been able to establish the type of content that is most effective, you can start building a content calendar that makes it easier to post on a regular schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Planning content means understanding that some posts may perform better depending on when it is posted, so keep that in mind when creating a schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From there, you can start distributing your content more widely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This will require help from team members. Ask employees to engage, like, and share posts that are important. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The more it is shared, the more people will see it, and that means exposure for your company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A good way to ensure that people interact with your content is to prompt them with a question or poll. You can also use these surveys and polls to get a gauge on public sentiment about a certain service or product to measure how well it may do before it goes to market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance, if your company is thinking about launching a new product but hasn\u2019t decided exactly on the design, you can simply ask your followers which option they think would be best. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Think of it as a LinkedIn focus group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the journey to finding the best formula for a highly-engaged post on LinkedIn, you might feel overwhelmed about the seemingly endless possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having the knowledge in tow when creating new content will be essential during this process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Again, while experimentation will be part of the process, there are a few things to keep in mind before your company makes its debut on the platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So first let\u2019s look at the different strategies that are guaranteed to enhance the engagement on your company\u2019s profile.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Avoid posting a link to a new blog post with no additional quips or insights<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Use visual elements, such as infographics, to convey new information<\/p>\n\n\n\n Infographics are a great way for audiences to easily digest new research and data<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Create videos and share excerpts on your profile to entice your audience to watch more<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Utilize bullet points or emojis so text-based posts are more eye-catching and don\u2019t feel bloated<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, use a green check mark emoji as bullets in a \u201cHow-To\u201d posts to eliminate the risk of redundancy and create a more visually pleasing post<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t shy away from long-form posts, as they perform particularly well on the platform<\/p>\n\n\n\n Analysis from okdork.com<\/a> shows that LinkedIn posts between 1,900 and 2,000 words perform the best and receive the largest number of post views, likes, comments, and shares.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Social media is not a one-way street. Emphasize the social aspect of your content, by engaging and responding to your audience under with your own posts<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n End some posts with questions or a call to action (e.g. \u201cLike if you agree!\u201d) so your audience is encouraged to engage and discuss<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t feel the need to link to your website in every post<\/p>\n\n\n\n This can be perceived as too pushy or salesy, and can be off-putting for a new audience<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keeping content just on LinkedIn works to boost traffic to your profile too.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Taking all of these suggestions, you\u2019ll be able to nail down a rhythm that keeps your audience engaged with your company, encourages interaction with your brand, and expands your online community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Better yet, if you maintain your company\u2019s voice, LinkedIn\u2019s algorithm will bring your target audience to you. Once the ball is rolling, your follower count and online community will grow with ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Operating your LinkedIn business page can be completely free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However …<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are ways you can accelerate your brand\u2019s presence<\/a> on the platform, namely through LinkedIn Premium<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While this will cost you, there are four different plans that LinkedIn Premium companies can use to best meet their budget needs.<\/p>\n\n\n The idea of networking often coincides with the idea of physically attending events, exchanging business cards, and trying to keep track of everyone\u2019s names and backgrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But with a LinkedIn profile page, you have the ability to create even more meaningful connections<\/a>. Like in-person networking, you never know who may be able to provide you with new opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using LinkedIn breaks down geographical barriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So instead of limiting your ability to connect with professionals to your immediate area, your company\u2019s LinkedIn profile gives you the chance to network with like-minded people all over the world\u2014 a major advantage for completely remote businesses<\/a> looking to grow without physical limitations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not only is this useful for opening up opportunities with companies and professionals within your industry, LinkedIn for small businesses can be implemented for its original purpose: hiring new team members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On LinkedIn, you can post open job positions that will quickly reach your newly established audience. This allows you to tap into a much more diverse set of talent, which is always essential for any forward-thinking company.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/2-Signing-up-for-linkedin.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSigning Up For LinkedIn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/11-Infographic.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/02-Box-Engageusers-1024x734.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/3-Using-linkedin-for-small-business.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nUsing Linkedin for Small Business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/05-Graph-brandvoice-1024x820.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/01-Infographics-gettingstarted-01.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/01-Infographics-gettingstarted-02-922x1024.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/4-How-to-create-engaging-posts.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHow To Create Engaging LinkedIn Posts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/avoid-link-to-a-new-blog-icon.png\"){kind=icon}
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/use-visual-elements-icon.png\"){kind=icon}
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/create-videos-icon.png\"){kind=icon}
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/utilize-emojis-icon.png\"){kind=icon}
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/long-form-post-icon.png\"){kind=icon}
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/engage-icon.png\"){kind=icon}
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/call-to-action-icon.png\"){kind=icon}
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/link-to-website-icon.png\"){kind=icon}
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/5-Linkedin-premium.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nLinkedIn Premium<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/03-Graph-LinkeInPremium-895x1024.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/6-Networking-in-digital-age.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nNetworking In The Digital Age<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/04-Statistics-02-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/agree-disagree-16000-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/7-Youve-built-you-audience-1.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n