LinkedIn is one of the most important social media platforms on the planet, but it is also probably one of the least understood. Unlike Facebook and Twitter, which may be used by both the professional and casual user, LinkedIn is primarily dedicated to the professional. With its focus on networking and growing business connections, LinkedIn gives businesses, and the businessman and woman, the opportunity to connect with like minded individuals and organizations. But in attempting to successfully use LinkedIn to market your products or services, you should be sure to follow certain key pointers.

1. Keep It Professional

   One of the most important pointers you can follow when using your LinkedIn profile as a marketing platform is to always keep your communications and status updates professional. Stay away from political, religious, and other potentially controversial statuses and posts unless your business purposefully engages in such controversy. In a nutshell, this pointer can be paraphrased: “First, do no harm.”

2. Use Your Status Updates to Inform but not Sell

   When it comes to your statuses on LinkedIn you should ensure you update it more often than not, in other words four or more times per week. And remember, because LinkedIn is a platform for professionals, everyone has something to sell. But people don’t like to be sold directly. So, instead of making an outright spammy pitch in your status updates, use your updates to give the reader some useful information instead. Give information which is funny, helpful, and interesting. Above all, post updates which present you as an expert in your field.

3. Create Interesting Industry-centered Content

   If it has been said once, it has been said a million times: on the internet content is king. This pointer really cannot be overstated or over emphasized. Be creative and create content which readers in your industry will find interesting and helpful. In order to help devise top notch content topics ask yourself what are some critical or cool questions professionals in your industry would like to see explored, and then create content around that topic. For example, a divorce lawyer could go off the beaten path and answer the question “What happens to inheritance when you get divorced.”

4. Syndicate Your Blog

   Another great way to increase your status on LinkedIn is to syndicate your standard blog onto your LinkedIn profile in order to constantly keep your profile chocked full of useful content. This same pointer goes for linking your Twitter account.

5. But What about the Marketing?

   The previous pointers may seem to be long on LinkedIn maintenance, and short on the actual marketing, but nothing could be further from the truth. In order to avoid being seen as an amateur, spammer, or fly-by-night opportunist, you must build your reputation and trust among the community. Following the previous pointers will help you achieve this goal, and win the attention of the professionals you wish to do business with.

If mastering the art of social media marketing seems to be bit more than you can handle, you are not alone. Contact us now at 866-944-3244 or sales@servistree.com to get more information on how we can manage all of your social media marketing efforts for you.  Additionally, subscribe to our blog by clicking here in order to stay up to date on all of our informative content.