Five Steps to Turn Linkedin into a Lead-Generating Machine
Start by optimizing your company page.
Becky Livingston
by Becky Livingston
Royal Apple Marketing
So you listed your company on Linkedin, but maybe you have forgotten all about it—until now. Here are a few tidbits on ways to leverage your LinkedIn company page to your benefit, including generating leads.
Start here:
1. Create and optimize your page. Enter information about your company, including web site URL, address, specialties, and RSS or news link.
2. Enable the page for updates. When utilizing the Admin tools, “enable” updates so you can post status updates to the company page. Be sure to add your name to the “designated users” section of this page so you are authorized to make updates too.
3. Post a status update. Much like you would with Twitter or Facebook, add a status update to the company profile a couple times per week. This step can be automated with your other social media efforts, so you only have to post an update one time and have it distributed to all of your social outlets. You can post things like blog articles you’ve written, articles you’re reading, job postings, intriguing questions, and interesting facts.
4. Invite people to connect. LinkedIn is all about connections, right? Once your company page is updated, status updates are posted, and administrators have been identified, invite your connections to follow your page. Include a link to the company’s LinkedIn page in your email signature, slide deck contact information, proposals, web sites, and more. Tell the world!
A great way to create a strong following is if your company is known to support a cause. Post a status update about a donation to that cause and how each follower equals a dollar, which will be donated to the cause. For example, “For every follower we get in the next 15 days, we will send $1 to the [enter the cause name].” Then be sure to post an update about the # of people who are now following you–no matter how many that is. And, make the donation!
5. Monitor results and optimize from there. As with any type of goal, you must measure it to determine your success. The same goes for LinkedIn. If your goal is to reach 1,000 followers within 12 months, create the plan, take action, monitor the plan, and optimize from there.
Linkedin can help showcase your services and expertise, engage customers, and attract the best talent. And, the engagement you get will increase your search engine results.
Becky Livingston is the President of Royal Apple Marketing, a social and digital marketing firm specialized in working with small business owners, non-profit leaders, and CPAs. Click here to see more from Becky Livingston on CPA Trendlines.
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