If you’re still using LinkedIn as a glorified business card, then you’re missing out on the many other effective ways this social networking tool can be used as a CRM to help grow your business…

1. Using
LinkedIn

2. If you’re still using LinkedIn as a
glorified business card, then you’re
missing out on the many other
effective ways this social networking
tool can be used as a CRM to help
grow your business…

3. LinkedIn has achieved
critical mass and has
become an impressive
lead generation
and
business marketing tool

4. Maximize your visibility. The best
way to do this is to keep your
profile current and relevant. Use a
professional photograph and make
sure your business title, skills,
expertise and other activities are
up to date.
1. Visibility is Key

5. Referrals and endorsements are an
essential part of any business
recommendation. The more often
you use LinkedIn, the more people
will see your profile and be able to
endorse your skills.
2. Credibility & Endorsements

6. When it comes to referrals, however,
you’ll generally need to ask for these
directly. The best approach here is to
identify contacts that have the
greatest influence with your target
audience and send each a request
for a referral. Frame your request by
letting them know how much you
value their opinion.

7. In general, any business can create a
systematic approach to make their
LinkedIn networking more valuable.
LinkedIn gives business owners the
very valuable opportunity to connect in
person with people they otherwise
might not have the opportunity to
encounter.
3. Stronger Connections

8. 1. Respond quickly when an opportunity arises
and
2. Take the conversation into regular email by
seeking out the contact’s email address on the
profile page.
The key to success is to:

9. LinkedIn can be a valuable tool here,
also. If your business has a newsletter,
a whitepaper, a survey, a sale or
coupon or something else of
value to offer new contacts,
LinkedIn can be a great place to make
these offerings.
4. Direct Marketing

10. And when you need to connect with
someone you haven’t yet met? Find
them on LinkedIn, you’ll see who you
know in common, and then ask your
mutual contact for an introduction…

11. Mark Wardell is President & Founder of Wardell
International , an advisory group that helps business
owners plan and execute the growth of their companies. The
author of seven business books, Mark also writes regularly
for several national & international business publications.
Email him at mark@wardell.biz.