LinkedIn: Unlock the Potential

LinkedIn just might be one of the most misused “multi-tools” on the net.  A quick look on Wikipedia just illustrates my point.  Most people are using LinkedIn as an address book of professional connections, a site to post a resume in search of a new job, a place for employers to “head hunt” to fill spots in their company.  Let me take a minute to say that those that use LinkedIn for these purposes are having great success.  With over 58 million members in the United States alone, many business owners are missing out on the great potential of LinkedIn.

Throughout history many of the things we use every day, were actually created for an entirely different purpose.  One example is a spring that was designed in 1943 by a naval engineer to help stabilize sensitive equipment on ships.  If the potential of this spring wasn’t unlocked, then there would be only a select group of people that would have any use for this spring or even know what it is.  Because the potential of this spring was unlocked, there have been more than 300 million sold and you would be hard pressed to find anyone that doesn’t know what a Slinky is.

Any business owner or salesman should be chopping at the bit with the thought of tapping into a market of over 147 million worldwide.  Imagine being able to reach out to this many potential customers in a place they are already visiting, and allowing these potential customers to build a relationship with you and your company.  If that wasn’t enough, the Basic LinkedIn account is FREE!  I have never seen such a pool of potential customers that you can access for free, that are already spending on average 8 – 21 minutes a day, but is being used by most to search for a job and NOT customers.  Even the paid versions of LinkedIn provide so many additional options to enhance your connection experience.

 The bottom line is that the tools are all around us.  If you are not unlocking these tools, you are getting left behind.  In a climate where millions of small businesses are closing each year, can you afford to not unlock this potential?  If you don’t know how to unlock these tools, then I would suggest finding someone with a key before it is too late.

~ Social Media is changing the way people do business.  Don't get left behind ~ 

Jeremy Clere of The Social Media Advisor is a social media manager, trainer and consultant in  LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , Pinterest and the tools to manage them.  

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Another great Social Media video by TheTotalprofit on Youtube

Another great Social Media video by TheTotalprofit on Youtube:

~ Social Media is changing the way people do business.  Don't get left behind ~ 

Hollie Clere, of The Social Media Advisor is a social media manager, trainer and author in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , Pinterest and the tools to manage them. Click here for her Social Media Links

Sign up for your Free Social Media Analysis 

"Social Media Revolution 2011"

If you haven't seen this, it is really good. It provides a realistic picture of where social media has taken business in 2011.

http://youtu.be/3SuNx0UrnEo

Time Management for Social Media – Part 1

You have created your social media presence, your branding is consistent and you find yourself spending hours each day on any given social media site scrolling, searching, reading and posting for hours on end. But the question begs to be asked, is this how the social media world was intended or is there a better way to coordinate your time in these spaces?

Check out my post on the topic here:

http://www.integratedalliances.com/social-media/winning-with-social-media/time-management-for-social-media-part-1

Hollie Clere, The Social Pro is a social media manager, trainer and author in the LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Blog and social media world.

Car Magnet Advertisement or Facebook Page?

This is kind of a strange comparison, but depending on your business advertising initiatives, you may consider either option. Here is the disadvantages to Social Media sites including Facebook vs putting a magnet, window decal or painting your car with a mobile advertisement.

Ads on automobiles - things to consider:

(1) Effective visual appearance and targeted branding for your market area (where you drive - you will have visibility)

(2) Your presence is as effective as your driving - people will not only judge you by your car ad, but the quality of your driving

(3) Does your target customer have the ability to write down your phone number or website address while driving?


(4) If you have a fish on your bumper or any other bumper sticker - will this distract or attract your ideal customer?

(5) Are you targeting customers that don't fit your model or services? Anyone & everyone can have the capacity to see your ad - but is your service offering tailored for any person or a specific market sector?




Ads through Social Media - such as Facebook:

(1) The page you develop is easily marketable and can reach to those within and outside of your market area

(2) You can tailor postings, visibility and networks to those you choose to market to

(3) You can invest in pay per click ads by specific topic or keyword searches


(4) The "Like" button is easy to select & your followers can have visibility to your promotions and contact information real time

(5) Your page can be "Suggested" to others without passing out your personal business card or flyer




Both initiatives may be appealing to your business, if you happen to select both, be sure to list your website for quick visibility to your social media sites.

Importance of "Find Us on Facebook"

Why are businesses updating their website, blog, commercials and printed material with "Find Us on Facebook"? Is it possible they know something you don't know? Facebook has created a visibility section to their website which allows businesses to gain a following, promote special events, coupons, launch new products and share information about their company in a centralized place where their "Fans" can "Like" their page and get up to date information about their company real time. Sure - it is great in theory, but what can you do to make this work for you?

It makes since to take some time to setup a profile, post a few pictures and a few catchy sales pitches on occasion, but how do these businesses get their followers? What are they doing that can spread the word? Or have you seen businesses have created a page, with a follower base, but you never see anything from them?

It is worse to create a page & never manage it - than it is to not have a page at all. I would suggest if you have a website, create a space on a medium where you know your customers can reach you. It doesn't stop there. It takes time & thought into accurately promoting your company, your services and gaining a follower base. I have seen too many times the aggressive vs. passive way of marketing online & neither is beneficial. Here are a few ideas that may help you.

(1) Schedule your posts - determine if once a day or once a week makes the most since for your company. These time frames are drastically different, but if you are posting an add, coupon or new service, you don't want to offer those posts more than once a week. The daily posts should focus on something of like interest & not force a sale on your customers.
***Example for a park or zoo:
* It is a beautiful day to be at the park - don't forget your sunscreen!
* The squirrels are finding ways to fill their bellies at the park, try to clean up before you leave.

* Today we are offering 50% off admission to the first 30 people upon opening! - Here is your pitch
* What is your favorite thing about playing outdoors?
* Today we found columbines growing in the garden by the oak tree, they are beautiful this time of year.

***Example for a technology person:
* Read today that Google is launching their own Internet
* RT: @aaaaaaa Great article about computer optimization click: (shortened URL)
* Off to a lunch meeting with a BNI consultant, let me know if you would like to connect.
* Check out our new service offering: 30% off of computer clean up and virus scans (shortened URL to website) - Here is your pitch
* Excited to have climbed my first 14er this past weekend in Buena Vista (shortened URL to a picture or website)

You see how your customers can become familiar with your interests, getting to know the personality of the one posting & yet you are inviting them to follow what your posts may be.

(2) If you aren't connecting, sharing and showing others that you also take interest in them, then you aren't reaching anyone.
* If you visit a website or blog, post a comment letting them know you were there.
* If you see someone has re-tweeted or commented on your posting, be sure to respond with acknowledgement.
* Give your viewers something of interest to keep bringing them back to your page.
* Contests are great ways to draw in new visitors.

(3) If you post an announcement to multiple contacts, don't post it in a message format where those receiving can reply to all. These replies will cause a lot of unnecessary emails to your followers & they will lose interest in you quickly.

To summarize - if you aren't out there, no one will find you. If you are out there & aren't posting regularly, then no one will have interest in what you have to offer. Be careful with how you post & be aware of what you post as to spark interest, rather than lose interest.