With so many social media platforms begging for your attention and unscrupulously gobbling up your brain cells, it can be easy to write off every platform as a time-waster. But not all social media platforms are created equal. When used properly, each platform offers different ranges of benefits for users that can utilize the system to maximize the platform’s potential.
Of all the social media platforms, LinkedIn can be one of the most beneficial channels for SMB owners. It’s been around longer than Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and all these whipper-snapper platforms. Whether you’re searching for referrals, building a professional network, or building a brand, LinkedIn is an invaluable asset to anyone attempting to enter the professional realm of any industry.
Ready for some stats? LinkedIn can boast about the following:
- Over 660 millions user in 200 countries
- More than 30 million companies on its platform
- 2nd most popular B2B marketing platform after Facebook
- 52% of buyers rank LinkedIn as the most influential platform in their buying process
And here are 6 more reasons to get on LinkedIn now.
Peeps are peepin’ at your LinkedIn
By peeps, we mean potential clients, potential referral sources, that guy at the coffee shop that you handed your card to. LinkedIn is the first place most professionals will go to learn about you. LinkedIn is a living digital C.V. that paints a complete (depending on how well you maintain your profile) picture of your professional experience.
It’s all about connecting with people
Building relationships is at the core of a good marketing campaign.
With LinkedIn, it’s not about amassing a huge amount of followers. It’s about creating a network of people that you can interact with in a meaningful way. Some of our clients that have had the best ROI from LinkedIn only have 200-300 connections. It’s the quality, not the quantity.
Get recruited
If you’re looking for a W2, Apple, Google, Disney and thousands of other employers recruit on LinkedIn. Even if you’re not actively job hunting, you could be missing out on potential opportunities by not being on LinkedIn.
Build your brand
As a small business, your brand is vital these days. It helps you stand out in your industry, makes you marketable and tells your story to a massive potential field of professionals.
Find the right referral sources
As LinkedIn has the most comprehensive network of people actually sharing their job title publicly, you can use it to build relationships with your precise target audience. Know you need VP of Operations at small manufacturers in the midwest? A quick LinkedIn search and you’ve found a few thousand options to reach out to with a click of a button.
A source of information and industry news
Even if you’re not about the connections, LinkedIn is still one of the best places to follow the industry giants, connect with experts in your field and keep up industry news. On LinkedIn you’ll get more relevant news on your timeline than just about any other social media platform. It’s a wise thing to stay on top of business-related trends, reports and data.
So, is the moral of the story that you be on LinkedIn no matter what? No, that’s not what we’re pushing for. But if you feel like you could use any of the offerings on LinkedIn to your advantage to boost your professional or personal career, why not join?
It’s certainly not required to have an account, but of all the social media platforms, LinkedIn can boast some of the most direct benefits to its users. Plus, it’s free, so it can’t hurt to at least try it out.