LinkedIn: The Newest Lead Generation Tool
If you are using LinkedIn as a way to just connect with your current co-workers and friends, then you are probably missing the biggest opportunities that LinkedIn has to offer. Having access to the biggest database of professionals at your fingertips is nothing to take lightly. Using LinkedIn as a lead generation tool is a great (and free) way to open lines of communications with people you would normally not get a chance to.
My first suggestion would be to optimize your profile with a personal branded message. Use this to connect to some of your current and past contacts, outside of just your office building. It’s easier to establish a relationship with people that already know and trust you (at least enough to be your LinkedIn friend)
Next I would make sure to join as many targeted groups for your industry as possible. There are hundreds of thousands of groups that have been created. Some large, some small, but all there to achieve a common goal. Within these groups you can post news articles, take place in discussions, and post job openings at your company. It is a great way to get to know other people in your field.
Make sure to post news on the Groups but don’t forget to respond! The point of social networking is to open up a line of communication. If you can answer questions on the message board or ask a question about an article that you read, it is a way to generate interest in you, your profile, or your company.
Groups give you the chance to meet professionals in the same industry and also clients that are looking for your service. Be sure to take full advantage of this and you will be able to make contacts globally and form relationships that you never would have otherwise. It is the perfect lead generation tool that you can use individually or for your company’s sake.
You can read more LinkedIn tips and the full article on B2B Lead Generation Blog: http://blog.startwithalead.com/weblog/2009/04/5-steps-for-using-linkedin-as-lead-generation-tool-.html
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My first suggestion would be to optimize your profile with a personal branded message. Use this to connect to some of your current and past contacts, outside of just your office building. It’s easier to establish a relationship with people that already know and trust you (at least enough to be your LinkedIn friend)
Next I would make sure to join as many targeted groups for your industry as possible. There are hundreds of thousands of groups that have been created. Some large, some small, but all there to achieve a common goal. Within these groups you can post news articles, take place in discussions, and post job openings at your company. It is a great way to get to know other people in your field.
Make sure to post news on the Groups but don’t forget to respond! The point of social networking is to open up a line of communication. If you can answer questions on the message board or ask a question about an article that you read, it is a way to generate interest in you, your profile, or your company.
Groups give you the chance to meet professionals in the same industry and also clients that are looking for your service. Be sure to take full advantage of this and you will be able to make contacts globally and form relationships that you never would have otherwise. It is the perfect lead generation tool that you can use individually or for your company’s sake.
You can read more LinkedIn tips and the full article on B2B Lead Generation Blog: http://blog.startwithalead.com/weblog/2009/04/5-steps-for-using-linkedin-as-lead-generation-tool-.html
Back