How to Build a Valuable Network and Grow Your Business with LinkedIn

Grow Your Business with LinkedInAs a business owner, your number one priority for social media is to build and strengthen your online presence. Your brand is a powerful reputation that you set in your industry, and LinkedIn is the perfect tool for expanding it. In the past, LinkedIn was only associated with finding a job. Now, you can do so much more! Here are four ways to create a valuable network online, and in turn, grow your business with LinkedIn:

 

Build Your Personal and Corporate Brand – LinkedIn is the perfect platform for humble boasting. Don’t be afraid to share what you’ve done personally and where you’ve been with your business. Keep it professional, of course. Share achievements, awards, milestones, etc. Then, show where you are going. What are you goals for the future of your company? What do you want to achieve for your clients? All of these achievements and goals should paint a picture for your personal and corporate brand..

 

Establish trust and credibility – Once your community has a good understanding of your brand, you can post relevant content to increase your credibility. Social Media Today suggests, “Keeping active and posting often on the site, you can build your brand bit by bit, increasing likeability and gradually building the trust of your potential customer base.” The more consistent, quality content that you produce, the stronger your trust and credibility will become. If your business is a resource for other businesses in your industry, prospects and potential partnerships will notice.

 

Engage with customers – Don’t forget to build personal relationships. Go the extra mile to personally reach out to people and prove you are a real person, developing a human face for your company and building personal relationships with people in your industry and prospects. This will add more to your trust and credibility, while simultaneously improve your image online.

 

Market to a target audience – Use your company page to let businesses and consumers know what you have to offer. Use LinkedIn to promote your products and services, and point prospects to your business’ website for details. According to Small Business Chronicle, to better target your audience, “LinkedIn allows you to create custom campaigns based on industry, title, location and other segments. You have the ability to add rotating banners as well as coupons and discounts, videos, and recommendations from customers, peers and colleagues.”

 

Follow these guidelines, while staying consistent and honest to your brand, and your network will inevitably grow on LinkedIn and other platforms.

32 Comments

  1. Robin Rue on June 3, 2015 at 1:28 pm

    I have been totally slacking over on Linkedin, so this was actually really helpful for me to read. I am motivated to go improve my profile over there now.



    • Shantha Wetterhan on June 6, 2015 at 9:09 pm

      Awesome Robin! Let us know how it goes.



  2. Alanna Wong on June 3, 2015 at 4:37 pm

    This is such a helpful post! I love LinkedIn but need to be more consistently active on it! Thank you for these great tips!!



  3. Amy on June 3, 2015 at 9:29 pm

    Thanks for the great post.



  4. crystal on June 4, 2015 at 12:45 am

    This is such an informative post. Thanks for sharing all this advice.



    • Shantha Wetterhan on June 6, 2015 at 9:10 pm

      My pleasure Crystal! I enjoyed sharing.



  5. Christi at SexyMoxieMama.com on June 4, 2015 at 1:15 am

    I have recently started to use LinkedIn more to find freelance jobs. Thank you for sharing these tips I had not thought of. Great post.



    • Shantha Wetterhan on June 6, 2015 at 9:10 pm

      LinkedIn is a great place to land those jobs Christi!



  6. CourtneyLynne Storms on June 4, 2015 at 2:38 am

    Omg LinkedIn! Ughhh not gunna lie, I totally suck at it so this we exactly what I needed to read!



    • Shantha Wetterhan on June 6, 2015 at 9:11 pm

      For sure Courtney! Let me know if you have any specific questions as well.



  7. mail4rosey on June 4, 2015 at 10:37 am

    I would like to build better relations with the customers. I know I feel inclined to go back if one has been built with me.



  8. Nicole Cochingco Escat on June 4, 2015 at 12:29 pm

    Thank you for sharing this, I don’t have Linkedin but because of this, I will try what you are said.



    • Shantha Wetterhan on June 6, 2015 at 9:11 pm

      You are most welcome Nicole! Stop back by and let us know how things go.



  9. Amy Kelsch on June 4, 2015 at 3:47 pm

    I haven’t yet used LinkedIn for my website. I know very little about it. Thanks for the info!



  10. TheNewClassy on June 4, 2015 at 3:49 pm

    I have always been a fan of Linkedin. They have allowed me, and fellow bloggers, to expand and grow so much.



  11. April Grant on June 5, 2015 at 1:51 am

    I’ve had a LinkedIn account since the beginning, but don’t understand yet how to make it work for me.



    • Shantha Wetterhan on June 6, 2015 at 9:12 pm

      It does take time April.Please let me know if you need any help.



  12. Jaime Nicole on June 5, 2015 at 2:15 am

    I have a LinkedIn profile but I don’t use it like I should but I really need to!



    • Shantha Wetterhan on June 6, 2015 at 9:13 pm

      Just commit to 15 minutes per day Jaime and you will get the hang of it!



  13. ronley on June 5, 2015 at 3:30 am

    Great tips! Awesome for making the name out there in terms of brand marketing!



  14. Kendra Williams on June 5, 2015 at 3:53 am

    I’ve had a LinkedIn account for a while and wasn’t really sure how to use it. Thanks for the tips!



  15. Tatanisha Worthey on June 5, 2015 at 4:09 am

    Thank you. I’ve been looking for tips on ways to use Linkedin!



  16. Manu Kalia on June 5, 2015 at 3:24 pm

    What a great tips, Looking forward on using my linkedln as Social Media Marketing.



    • Shantha Wetterhan on June 6, 2015 at 9:16 pm

      Thanks Manu! Just commit to 15 minutes per day and you’ll get the hang of it.