What Is LinkedIn, and How Can It Help Your Business?

When most of us think of social networking, we think of Facebook and Myspace. However, while those are certainly two of the biggest social networks, they are by no means the only ones out there!

When it comes to business networking online, LinkedIn is probably one of the best-known platforms out there. It allows business professionals from every country around the world, working in every industry, to connect with like-minded professionals, to share knowledge, find jobs and business opportunities, and market their companies. It is also free to use, although there are premium packages that offer greater functionality than the standard free option.

In terms of operation, LinkedIn works in a similar manner to most social networking platforms. You sign up, create a profile, list your employment history and achievements, and link to your blog, other social networking accounts, and websites. The platform allows you to update people you are connected to about projects you are working on, and it even integrates with your existing email accounts, and connects you with contacts that are already using the platform.

Like other social networking platforms, LinkedIn also allows users to join groups that are of interest to them, but, unlike Facebook and Myspace, for instance, all of the groups on LinkedIn are professionally oriented. For instance, there are groups related to a particular industry, or those centred on specific geographic areas. These groups host discussions, which are of interest to their members, and they allow group members to connect directly with each other, with business opportunities, employment offers, or to discuss business related issues.

For the small business owner, being a member of LinkedIn has several benefits.

First, it allows you to keep abreast of industry related news and developments. If, for instance, you work in the hotel industry, you could join groups that centre on that industry, and monitor, or take part in, discussions about the industry. You could also connect with other hotel industry professionals, or post your own news, questions, or discussion topics.

You could take it a step further, however, by joining groups related to your industry, in this case, tourism development groups, or groups for travel agents. You could then market your hotel to professionals in those industries, and open up new business avenues.

If you are looking for highly trained and qualified staff, or freelancers who outsource services that you are looking for, then LinkedIn is also a great place to find them, and most industry groups have dedicated boards for posting job opportunities.

In short, where social networks like Facebook and Myspace really are more about the social aspect of networking, LinkedIn is a platform where like-minded professionals can network for business purposes.

For the individual, LinkedIn offers the possibility of finding employment, researching companies and industries they are interested in, and connecting with colleagues, co-workers, and clients.

For the small business owner, it is a method of staying in contact with clients, suppliers, industry news and more, and it is a good way to find new business opportunities that you might otherwise have missed out on. There are even groups that are dedicated to start up business, as well as to venture capital, angel investment and other forms of finance, so there are added benefits to those who are looking to start their small business too.

The key to LinkedIn success starts with your profile. The more detailed, professional, and interesting it is, the more likely it is that it will impress prospective business partners of clients.

Your next step, once you have signed up and created a profile, is to make full use of the community and networking features of LinkedIn. Join groups that relate to your industry, and those that your clients are likely to belong to. Link your blog and your website to your profile, and become active on discussion boards.

Offering valuable advice, and contributing to discussions can help to create your reputation as an expert in your industry, and as any marketing professional will tell you, establishing your expertise in any field is the first step to expanding your client base.

LinkedIn, like any networking, takes time, effort, and a little dedication. Members who spend a little time on a regular basis, making new connections, contributing to groups and discussions, and keeping their profiles current and interesting will have far more success than those who sign up, and never use the service!

With so many possibilities at your fingertips, and the opportunity to connect with business people around the world from the comfort of your office, LinkedIn really does offer the small business owner a valuable tool, and it’s well worth learning how the system works, and making it a part of your overall marketing plan.