There’s a social media network for everything: staying in touch with friends and family, sharing photos, sharing links, personal expression, and even making business connections. That’s right – Linkedin is all about professional networking and it’s a mistake not to establish a page for your company. Linkedin has evolved into more than just an online resume for individuals, and is a valuable asset for companies to assert their credibility, thought leadership and engagement within their industry. Some say it’s even more important than having a website! With talented young students researching potential employers and seasoned professionals sharing valuable insights through discussions and status updates, LinkedIn is a room full of customers and colleagues that are all eager to connect with you and your company.
So, here’s why your company needs a LinkedIn page:
1. Credibility
When all of your team members list themselves as employees of your company, they provide credible endorsement, especially when they engage in LinkedIn groups. Network members also have the ability to recommend your business. This type of public support qualifies not only your human capital, but your products and services as well, which makes your audience more confident in your ability to meet their needs.
2. Search Engine Optimization
Members of Linkedin conducted over 5.7 billion professionally-oriented searches in 2012 and it doesn’t look like this kind of activity is going to change in coming years. If a potential customer searches for a solution that your company offers, your LinkedIn page will serve as the information source that explains why and how your solutions are right for them. Plus, Google web crawlers search up to 156 characters of your page, so when your products and services are listed, they may serve as keywords that rank you higher in this almighty search engine.
3. Brainshare
If you’ve been working on a white paper that you can’t wait to share or if you’re looking for insights on a new initiative, Linkedin offers the perfect forum! With a typically more educated membership than the average social site (50% with a bachelor’s degree), professionals are more likely to appreciate that free downloadable resource featuring social media tips for business, and they’ll probably have information you find helpful, too.
4. Advertising
If you’re looking for a specific professional audience, you can find them with targeted advertising. Basic users may choose from ads that garner followers or sponsored updates that promote specific posts, while premium users have the option to place display ads. All of these drive brand awareness and build your network in the professional social realm.
5. Hiring Solutions
With over 259 million members in over 200 countries, LinkedIn offers a large pool of high-quality talent. By using Talent Finder and Sponsored Jobs or posting updates about your job openings, it’s likely that your company will be able to connect with someone that is perfect for your team, and they’ll be able to learn about your company at the same time.
We’ve said before that if Twitter is the cocktail party of social media and Facebook is the business casual lunch, then Linkedin is the professional conference. Show up dressed for success with a brushed up company page and your team ready to network. Still need some convincing on the B2B potential of this network? Check out this Linkedin Statistics Infographic.