Small Business Saturday Blog
Demystifying LinkedIn for Small Businesses
Thursday, February 08, 2018 at 10:46
Ifyou are not yet familiar with LinkedIn – or are one of the 1 in 2 LinkedInusers who have joined but not finished setting up their profiles – it’s thepreferred social media network for business to business marketers and one ofthe leading job search sites in the world, designed with professions andbusinesses in mind and with 500 million (and rising) users who are all focusedon creating a business network.
Ifirst started using LinkedIn on my own behalf during the early days of settingup Pink Spaghetti, using it to network and build my business. Although anewcomer to LinkedIn, I quickly learnt how to perfect my profile, attendingcourses and keeping an eye on what successful users were doing.
As my business has grown, I have used my knowledge of LinkedIn to helpother businesses build their networks. The search function is excellent and aneasy way to find and connect with prospective clients; you can start aconversation with a potential customer online before suggesting a meeting inperson to further the connection.
Aswell as creating your own personal profile and thus marketing yourself to theworld, you can also use the platform to join groups, collect information, findout about local events, share articles, and add your own professional comments.
LinkedIncan also be used to find a completely new role, by changing your profile toreflect that you are looking for a new opportunity, connecting with recruiters,and asking previous employers for recommendations.
Agood profile is a powerful tool and a definite must if you want to get ahead,helping you to grow your network strategically so that it works for you.
Michelle’s top tips onusing LinkedIn for your business.
1.Start with the basics. Join LinkedIn as yourself, not your company – you will be able to build out a company pagelater, but should always join on your own behalf.
2.Make sure that your basic information is completed and that your contactdetails are up to date, with your phone number and email displayed – if you aretaking the time to network, it’s vital that you can be contacted.
3.A picture truly is worth a thousand words. Be sure to add a photo, and makesure that it’s professional looking, high resolution and recent.
4. Ensure that yourprofile is kept up to date and that your skills and experiences are displayedcorrectly. Got a new role or completed some training? Don’t forget to put it onyour profile.
5. It’s particularlyimportant to make sure that your headline explains exactly who you are and whatyou have to offer – people will make a decision on whether to connect withinseconds, so first impressions are vital.
6. Once you have yourprofile set up, you can create a company page if appropriate, which allows youto post job openings, create content highlighting your products or services,engage with your followers and share key updates.
7. Understanding theetiquette of any social media platform can be intimidating at first. Spend sometime familiarising yourself with the site and watch those using it successfullyto pick up tips – then take a deep breath and dive in.
8. Build your networkslowly. First connect with people you know, trust and value on a professionallevel. Always use a personalised invitation rather than LinkedIn’s automaticdefault, and take the time to explain why you want to join their network.
9. Try to go onto theplatform every working day, even if you don’t have the confidence to post atfirst. Join in a conversation - it’s agreat way to make yourself visible to others. Join groups relevant to yourindustry, or start your own.
10. If you’restruggling then attending a course can help to build your confidence and learnto make the most of this exciting platform, there are 34 Pink Spaghetti franchisesacross the UK who can offer this training or can assist by creating orenhancing your profile or I can be contacted directly for onlinetraining.
Michelle Collins isthe owner of Pink Spaghetti Chester and North Wales, a virtual PA service whichoffers flexible, efficient support to small businesses (and homes), freeing upclients so that they can make the most of their time. Michelle also worked inHR in a public-sector organisation for 12 years before moving on to become a Pink Spaghetti franchisee and, with two youngchildren, also juggles a busy home life. http://www.pink-spaghetti.co. uk
· LinkedIn: in/michellecollinspspag/
· Twitter: https://twitter.com/Michelle_ PSpag
Facebook: @PinkSpaghettiChesterandNorthWales Instagram: michelle_pinkspaghetti/
·
Categories:
- Inspire Series (1)
- Monday Seller Success With Ebay (8)
- Small Biz 100 (1)
- Small Business Saturday Uk Champion (2)
- Smallbiz100 (8)
Latest Posts:
- Saying cheese in Prestatyn6 Days Ago
- Hitting the sweet spot in Bucks and Oxon2 Weeks Ago
- Telford’s Lean Green Eco Machine2 Weeks Ago
- We all scream for ice cream2 Weeks Ago
- #SmallBiz100 Joco returns to its roots3 Weeks Ago
- Coming in from the cold in central London4 Weeks Ago
- Bitten by the bug in East Sussex4 Weeks Ago
- Still rocking in Southend on Sea5 Weeks Ago
- Nobody's fool5 Weeks Ago
- 16 years of love in Ipswich6 Weeks Ago
- Small businesses celebrated at the Blue Tie Ball6 Weeks Ago
- Why apply to be a #SmallBiz100 2023?7 Months Ago
- Zero to hero in Nottingham13 Months Ago
- Monday Seller Success with eBay: That Vintage Football Shirt13 Months Ago
- Rock on in Southend on Sea13 Months Ago
- Monday Seller Success with eBay: Purrfect Cat Gifts13 Months Ago
- One love, one heart on Ipswich’s high street13 Months Ago
- Monday Seller Success with eBay: Hampers by Lauren13 Months Ago
- Good graces in Bristol and Bath13 Months Ago
- Monday Seller Success with eBay: Top Dog13 Months Ago
- Weigh to go in Northwich13 Months Ago
- Monday Seller Success with eBay: Handpicked Penrith14 Months Ago
- Holy cow in Westmorland14 Months Ago
- Monday Seller Success with eBay: The game is afoot14 Months Ago
- All fired up and ready to go in Gerrards Cross14 Months Ago
- Monday Seller Success with eBay: Meteorite Man14 Months Ago
- Dorset's Ice Cream Appreciation Society14 Months Ago
- Monday Seller Success Story with eBay: Giddy Goats Toys14 Months Ago
- SmallBiz100 celebrated at the Blue Tie Event14 Months Ago
- Why apply to be a #SmallBiz100 2022?19 Months Ago
- From field to fork – making the most of Cheshire’s local produce2 Years Ago
- Sustainable living with BLANC2 Years Ago
- Pizza power2 Years Ago
- In the good books2 Years Ago
- From babygrows to beer kits2 Years Ago
- Smile and say cheese2 Years Ago
- The perfect planner for when you didn’t plan for this2 Years Ago
- Why apply to be a #SmallBiz100 2021?2 Years Ago
- Feeling lighter than air at The Float Spa3 Years Ago
- At the cutting edge of local community3 Years Ago
- Sewing the seeds of success in Scotland3 Years Ago
- Joco's leap of faith pays off3 Years Ago
- No messing around! How Tom Foolery Coffee Company pivoted during the pandemic3 Years Ago
- How Mandira’s Kitchen has its eye on spicing up your freezer3 Years Ago
- Wild about keeping it local and healthy in Bristol3 Years Ago
- Award winning small business announced at Blue Tie celebration3 Years Ago
- Free leadership training for SME leaders delivered by leading Business Schools3 Years Ago
- Six things you can do in your business right now3 Years Ago
- How can my employees return to work safely and legally after Covid-19?3 Years Ago
- What is it really like being a #SmallBiz100? – Stamptastic spill the beans3 Years Ago
- Why apply to be a #SmallBiz100 2020?3 Years Ago
- Why embracing technology should be your New Year resolution3 Years Ago
- Starting a new business: financial tips for start ups4 Years Ago
- A helpful guide to data protection for small businesses4 Years Ago
- From architect to artisan at the Dumfries Larder4 Years Ago
- Putting down new Roots in Abergele4 Years Ago
- How Amazon is helping one woman tackle taboos and period poverty4 Years Ago
- Creating a community: What it means to be a small business4 Years Ago
- Building an enabling bridge, brick by brick4 Years Ago
- Get ready to rock with Rockit4 Years Ago
- How to create an event for Small Business Saturday UK4 Years Ago
- Jampacked with passion: the local cinema that’s giving back4 Years Ago
- Celebrating the North East’s cycle stars4 Years Ago
- Don’t know what to write about? 9 ideas for your next business newsletter, blog or social media post4 Years Ago
- Take a butcher’s at the first of the #SmallBiz100 20194 Years Ago
- 7 essential growth tips that small businesses need to know4 Years Ago
- Making a great first impression: photography & small business4 Years Ago
- Strength in numbers4 Years Ago
- How to choose the right pricing strategy for your business4 Years Ago
- How taking matters into her own hands led to huge success for Revival Retro4 Years Ago
- 5 content ideas every small business needs4 Years Ago
- The Flour Pot Bakery's secret to success4 Years Ago
- How to harness the power of Instagram and drive your business forward - the GB Labels way4 Years Ago
- Making Tax Digital is here! What does it mean for your business?4 Years Ago
- How we should champion success for International Women's Day4 Years Ago
- Step aside Mystery Shopper scheme - hello new Public Procurement Review Service!4 Years Ago
- The top three causes of entrepreneur burnout and how to avoid it4 Years Ago
- Get a great digital ad for your business for just £50, and help tomorrow’s entrepreneurs learn with iDEA!4 Years Ago
- Badge Your Brilliance with iDEA4 Years Ago
- How to make your Christmas the most successful yet!5 Years Ago
- Life in the fast Laine5 Years Ago
- Small businesses shine at launch of Silver iDEA Award St James's Palace5 Years Ago
- Local and sustainable is winning formula for SmallBiz100 Hays Hampers5 Years Ago
- Red Herring Games – Case Study5 Years Ago
- Keeping Up With The Tylers: How To Move With The Times5 Years Ago
- Making our own kind of music at the Blue Tie Ball5 Years Ago
- How to guest blog (and look like you know what you’re doing)5 Years Ago
- How to market your small business on a budget5 Years Ago
- Top summer marketing tips!5 Years Ago
- Purposely: embedding purpose into the heart of your small business5 Years Ago
- A ‘Dog Day Afternoon’ for Britain’s small businesses5 Years Ago
- Five ways to make your business successful in five years!5 Years Ago
- SmallBiz100 Mooch revive the local high street5 Years Ago
- Why apply to be a SmallBiz100 2018?5 Years Ago
- SmallBiz100 Julu on design, manufacturing, and building an online business with friends5 Years Ago
- Small Business Champion Series From Rich Brady ... Setting Business Goals5 Years Ago
- SmallBiz100 Techsixtyfour on how to successfully build an online business5 Years Ago
- SmallBiz100 Frequently Asked Questions5 Years Ago
- Small Business Champion Series from Rich Brady...Putting the Family into Family Business5 Years Ago
- Exporting - not just for the big!5 Years Ago
- Can Giving Really Be Good for a Small Business? Spoiler: Yes!5 Years Ago
- Let's get organised....5 Years Ago
- Is your business leaking money?5 Years Ago
- Podcasting - The Ultimate How-To Guide - Part 25 Years Ago
- Setting BIG goals – why do it and how to go about it5 Years Ago
- International Women's Day 20185 Years Ago
- 9 tips for Business Success - it's all about love.5 Years Ago
- Demystifying LinkedIn for Small Businesses5 Years Ago
- 10 Top Money Tips for Small Businesses5 Years Ago
- Organising a Small Business Event - Tips from the Experts5 Years Ago
- 12 Top Tips for Micro-businesses5 Years Ago
- ACCA on board the Small Business Saturday Bus Tour6 Years Ago
- Is Britain Becoming a Cashless Society?6 Years Ago
- Small Business Spotlight - How Technology Can Help Small Businesses6 Years Ago
- Taking Your Business Beyond the High Street6 Years Ago
- 5 Ideas to Improve your Time Management6 Years Ago
- The Small Business Saturday Bus Tour launches across the UK for its fifth year!6 Years Ago
- Making the most of Small Business Saturday7 Years Ago
- Why I applied to Small Biz 100: Crafty Revolution tells all8 Years Ago