Prompt Proofing Blog Post: Using Social Media to Promote Your Business - Part 3

    VANCOUVER, BC, September 30, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Part 3: LinkedIn

Many business people may eschew Facebook and Twitter, deeming them unimportant. We would argue that they would be wrong to ignore these two sites (see parts 1 and 2 for more on this), but some people do feel that LinkedIn is somehow more professional. If you have joined LinkedIn, you will have created a profile and likely responded to a few requests to connect with others. What next?

It will not work too well for you if you simply do this and then ignore it. As with all social media sites, you need to stay on top of things. Here are some tips on how to do this:

- When you respond to an invitation, research the person's profile and update yourself on what they are doing. Respond with a personal message rather than just clicking 'accept'. Use what you already know, or have learned from their profile, to connect with them on a more personal level; perhaps you worked for the same company at one time or have shared interests, for instance.

- Remember to invite people to connect with you also. Whenever you attend any kind of networking event and exchange business cards, remember to add "Can I connect with you on LinkedIn?" Then go home, email each person you met, say how much you enjoyed talking to them and add them to your LinkedIn. Follow up!

- Use 'LinkedIn Answers' to both ask and answer questions. You may well get the help you need with a specific problem, and everyone loves to feel helpful, so they will remember you. However, answering questions can be even more productive; you will be perceived as helpful, willing to give your time to others and you may come to be regarded as an expert in your field - which you probably are! All of this is great for business!

- Use 'advanced people search' to target possible customers. The advanced search function allows you to target your desired audience and should help generate future leads.

- Use LinkedIn's Groups to network and connect with other people in your field, or other entrepreneurs. You can connect purely online with people in other countries, or join local groups that occasionally host meet-ups in your own city.

- Keep your profile updated. Things change quickly and you may well forget that not everyone else in the business community knows that you have an extra qualification or have changed jobs or earned a promotion. Try to update every six months or so; you may surprise yourself when you realize how much has changed in that time.

Whatever your feelings about social media, virtually every successful business now uses it extensively. Some larger companies hire people just to look after their social media. Yet it doesn't have to take that long - small-business owners should be able to deal with their social media in a couple of hours a week - and they will see results!

Connect with us on LinkedIn at http://ca.linkedin.com/in/patwootton.

Check back next Friday for another Prompt Proofing blog post!

About Prompt Proofing

Prompt Proofing is based in Vancouver, BC, Canada and was officially launched in 2010 by a team of editing and writing professionals who have over 40 years of experience in the education, news media, public relations and recruitment fields. Prompt Proofing prides itself on affordable services delivered with fast turnaround times, without sacrificing quality or accuracy.

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