Launched on May 5, 2003, LinkedIn is considered the largest social media network for professionals. Whether you’re just getting your toes wet in the business world or have been a business owner for several years, there’s no such thing as a wrong time to get involved on the platform. By following interests related to your industry and connecting with like-minded professionals, the value of this website will become evident. The platform can also prove to be a powerhouse for any social media agency. This brings us to the topic of LinkedIn marketing.
Believe it or not, LinkedIn can provide a significant boost to your ongoing digital marketing efforts. It matters little what your KPIs entail, whether your goal is to increase social media followers, generate more monthly leads, or simply bring in more revenue from year to year. Every business owner has unique KPIs they’ll gauge success by; the success in question can hinge on the specific platforms used. LinkedIn marketing can help you reach your goals, but to provide a clearer understanding of the topic at hand, here are a few questions and answers to know.
“How many users are on LinkedIn?” Before you take the first step toward crafting a LinkedIn marketing plan, you may want to know how many users are on the platform. In other words, how many people do you stand to reach? This past April, it was estimated that there are 180 million users in the United States. Even though the U.S. is the leading market on LinkedIn, users from around the world also exist on the platform. A cursory search will show that users hail, and work, from Europe, Asia, and Australia, just to name a few regions. The fact that LinkedIn boasts such a rich, diverse market makes it ideal for any B2B marketing company.
“I have my own personal LinkedIn profile; can I market my company from there?” While this is certainly a possibility, you’d be best served by creating a LinkedIn Page. This is where the information regarding your company will be housed, containing everything from an “About” section to the social media posts that will be shared with the public. Your Page will also provide key information about user activity via Analytics. This will illustrate, among other details, how many unique visitors landed on your Page and new followers you attracted over the past 30 days. Your Page will also provide opportunities to reengage with previous visitors, provided if it’s part of your overall LinkedIn marketing strategy. It’s entirely free to create a Page for your company, meaning there’s next to no risk on your end.
“How can I ensure my LinkedIn Page gets picked up in search engine results?” This is an area where SEO comes into play, and even though the process in question is heavily granular, there are a few simple tricks that can make all the difference from a ranking standpoint. First, make it a point to share content that speaks to both your company and the industry that you’re part of. Second, if you notice users interacting with your Page, such as leaving comments, engage them further, as this will increase the possibility of your Page ranking higher. Third, be mindful of how keywords are used, seeing to it that they’re not only implemented but in a fashion that makes your content readable. These are just a few basic SEO tricks, though it’s recommended that you speak to an SEO specialist for more in-depth assistance.
“I’m having difficulty gaining followers; what can I do to increase my numbers?” There’s no denying the importance of a devoted audience, whether on LinkedIn or any other social media platform. However, gaining followers, especially early in your LinkedIn marketing efforts, may be easier said than done. To remedy this, consider a few options. You may wish to invite your connections to follow your company’s Page, which can be done on the Page itself, effectively streamlining the process. You can also promote your Page through other marketing means, such as email newsletters, blog posts, and press releases. Slowly, but surely, you’ll see your follower count increase.
“What are the ad options LinkedIn offers?” Not unlike Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms, LinkedIn offers paid ad options for greater visibility. One such example is Sponsored Messages, which entails messaging users, directly marketing to them via their inboxes. Carousel Ads, which are more traditional by comparison, utilize images in rotation that are used to tell a bigger story or provide a more detailed message. Rates for paid ads on LinkedIn vary, but if you have the means, consider investing in options such as these to strengthen your LinkedIn marketing efforts.
About fishbat: fishbat is a full-service digital marketing company that takes a holistic business approach to their clients’ digital marketing programs. The fishbat team understands the importance of business principles just as well as the nuances of the latest digital technologies. fishbat offers every digital marketing service available from digital marketing research and planning to brand development to website and asset creation through social media management and search engine optimization programs – all custom calibrated for both B2B and B2C businesses.
