How Your Company Can Engage Users On LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a social networking tool that is used professionally by companies and associates all around the world.  The site allows users to connect with other professionals, as well as businesses.  After connecting with another professional or following a company LinkedIn page, you have the opportunity to share, learn and network.  Companies who maintain a LinkedIn profile page also have the opportunity to connect with professionals, create an online presence, share updates as well as interact and network with current and potential clients, employees and customers.  A company profile can be very useful in establishing your brand throughout a professional social network, as well as create opportunities for new business and ways to connect with professionals that may add to your success.

LinkedIn is a centralized location where millions of LinkedIn members go to be up-to-date on company news, products or services, business opportunities and job openings.  LinkedIn company pages have two functions:

1.) For a business, it’s the opportunity to:

• Tell your company’s story
• Highlight your products and services
• Engage with followers
• Share career opportunities
• Drive word of mouth at scale

2.) For millions of professionals, a Company Page is a place to:

• Explore companies of interest
• Get the latest company updates and industry news
• Research products & services

Status updates: Recently, LinkedIn created the option for users (individuals and companies) to share status updates with people they are connected with.  For business, these updates should include company news, industry updates and helpful information.  The platform allows you to connect your LinkedIn statuses with your company’s Twitter feed, allowing LinkedIn updates to reflect exactly what you share on your Twitter profile.  Updates should be shared at least twice a day, but no more than 5-6 times a day to avoid spamming or overindulging your followers’ newsfeed.  Followers are also able to comment or ‘like’ a share, which opens the door to having a conversation started.

Employee profiles: When professionals set up their own LinkedIn accounts, they are given the option to denote their employment history.   There is a listing of all your current employees on your company page, therefore it is important for employees to have filled out profiles.  This creates opportunity for your employees to network with other professionals for advice as well as create new business connections on behalf of your company.  Your company’s Twitter account can also be connected to your employee’s LinkedIn status updates, so their connections receive your shares as well.

Group interaction: There are a multitude of groups that make up the LinkedIn network.  These groups have ranges across many industries and interests of its members.  Through research and search, your company can determine a list of groups that are relative to your business or industry.  LinkedIn allows you to start discussions on relative topics as a way to interact with the other members.  These can be created as often as twice a week in order to provoke comments and feedback on what you share.  These topics should include helpful, informative tips and advice as well as industry updates.  Discussions are another way to introduce and share a new blog entry on your company’s website.  Make sure you do not sell or advertise in these groups or people will just ignore what you have to share and have no interest in reading further.

LinkedIn is a very helpful tool to companies looking to further their audience reach and share ideas and topics relative to their business.  Through group and status shares, interaction is encouraged with potential clients, customers, employees, other professionals etc.  By making the most of your LinkedIn profile through status updates, filled out employee profiles and group interaction, your company is increasing its online presence, which is a huge step in creating business online.