If you have successfully built a Linked-In page, you will want to make sure that you monetize it as best as possible. There are a few techniques that many people do not know or use to their advantage as much as they should. One great method is to extract your Linked-In connections and use them in combination with your relevant tool, whether it is Yahoo! Mail, Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, or whatever else. You can use these connections as part of your mailing list for an e-mail marketing campaign.
Another good idea is to try and blend networks together. You may have one network list on Linked-In, but a completely different one on Facebook. This means that many of those in your network are not associated with you on both of these social networking sites. That may not seem as an issue as you still have a contact method for them. However, them being in your network on both sites will allow their network list on both sites (which may also be different) to have a better chance of reaching your page.
Utilizing the Linked-In Signal feature may also provide some marketing success. This feature allows you to view activity with your extended network. This includes both your second and third connections. You can see their posts and narrow down the users according to certain demographics (industry/location) and see what the most relevant users are saying. This really brings you together with your otherwise out-of-reach connections and provides the introduction of those valuable "friend of a friend" users that you may otherwise not have had.
Linked-In is a highly effective marketing tool if it is used right. It is especially powerful for lead generation purposes and it will provide you with some of the most targeted and valuable leads that you will ever get. However, you really have to build an authoritative and credible presence on this social network before you can be viewed with major interest. This can be done by creating the best possible page and demonstrating a very knowledgeable and professional approach while interacting with other users. Ultimately, Linked-In marketing may be incredibly valuable to your business but you should take the time to create a marketing plan so your time and effort with this network is invested as best as possible.
Pamela Wigglesworth, CSP, is an entrepreneurship and marketing consultant, international speaker and the author of three business books. A resident of Asia for over 20 years, she is the CEO of Experiential Hands-on Learning. She works with organizations across multiple industries to help them increase brand awareness, increase leads and ultimately increase sales.
To learn more about Pamela, visit the Experiential website at www.experiential.sg or email her at courses@experiential.sg