Decoding LinkedIn for Marketing Your Business

The difference between Profiles, Company Pages, and Groups

By now you’re probably familiar with the inner workings of Facebook or Twitter, but did you know that LinkedIn is the number one driver of traffic to corporate websites? social media marketingThis recent finding by Social Media Today confirms that LinkedIn is an essential internet marketing tool, especially for businesses. But between Personal profiles, Company Pages, and Groups, the social media platform can be a bit intimidating to a LinkedIn novice. To help you navigate the networking website, we’re breaking down LinkedIn’s three main features here:

Your Personal Profile

Your personal profile is essentially your online resume and the foundation of your online professional reputation. It’s your gateway to networking with professionals, promoting your company or business, and establishing yourself as an industry leader. This is why it’s important to make sure your profile is complete and all your qualifications and skills are up-to-date. Upload a professional looking headshot and start connecting with other like-minded industry professionals.

Company Page

The company page sets the overall tone of your brand or organization. Give it personality with a description of your company’s mission and an enticing banner image. This is where you will want to promote your company by posting updates, highlighting products, and sharing relevant articles. It’s important to remember that the company page is the voice of your organization so make sure your posts are professional and reflect how you want your company to be perceived. People who love your brand will follow your page and use it as a resource to learn more about about your company. Users can like, comment, or share any of your posts so don’t be shy– Research shows that 50% of LinkedIn members were more likely to buy from a company they engage with on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn Group

Think of LinkedIn groups as hubs for discussion. Groups provide a place for professionals in similar industries to come together and share content. This is where you can really engage with other LinkedIn users. Use groups as forums for asking questions, exchanging ideas, and collecting feedback, but don’t forget to respond to any activity! Acknowledging your followers’ opinions will help you gain their trust and build lasting relationships. LinkedIn will suggest groups you may like or you can search for groups through the Groups Directory. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, you can always create a new group focused on a topic or industry of your choice.

 LinkedIn and Your Business

If you are interested in using LinkedIn for your business, but don’t know where to start, contact the SEO Pros! We can help with Social Media Marketing or Search Engine Optimization for your company. Call our Bay Area internet marketing office at 510-276-9902.