How To Use Linkedin Status Updates
Linkedin is without a doubt the most effective online business development tool for professionals. With over 60 million users, it’s a veritable who’s who of the business world.
Most users now know how to create an effective profile (hint: for most professionals, it shouldn’t be used like an online CV. The people most likely to read your profile are potential clients checking you out – so make sure your profile is client friendly and reflects the value you can bring to them). They know how to connect to others and use Linkedin for referrals. But there are few areas where most users still under exploit the potential of Linkedin. One of these is the Linkedin status update.
Linkedin status updates can be used in two ways to help you grow your client base.
The first is in the way you use your own status updates. you can use your own status updates. Because the services of most professionals aren’t needed all the time by their clients, it’s vital they keep prominent in their clients minds so that they’re the first person they call when their service is needed. Constantly emailing or calling can seem too pushy – but a Linkedin status update can prove a gentle reminder of what you do.
Depending on their settings, Linkedin users get a regular email with a summary of “network updates”. This includes who has connected to who, who has changed their profile, and what status updates people have made. If your status update is interesting and stands out, it can catch the attention of potential clients. Don’t overtly sell, but subtly remind people of your capabilities. For example: “Ian is worn out after running a seminar on selling skills – great audience and great feedback”.
You can also usefully use the status updates of your contacts.
If your contacts view something as important enough to mention on an update, then it must mean something to them. And so it’s both worth remembering – and remaking on. You can send them a comment back on the update – or even a direct message. This can lead to deeper conversations and real engagement with someone you perhaps had fallen out of touch with.
Something to look out for is when people connect to new contacts. if those contacts would be great connections for you too then now is the ideal time to ask for an introduction as their conversation will still be live.
All in all, while status updates aren’t going to change your world in and of themselves, they can bring a nice little boost to your effectiveness at business development.
To get more Linkedin Tips go to the site of Linkedin Expert Ian Brodie.
