by Kathy Bernard
Business leaders often ask me if posting on the LinkedIn homepage newsfeed really benefits their company. I tell them that it definitely can help. Whenever I post on LinkedIn or respond to people’s posts, I get an immediate bump in interest from prospects and repeat customers. I chalk it up to their being reminded to follow up on their LinkedIn training and support needs.
To enjoy similar benefits for your business, follow these steps:
1. Post often. Aim for at least once a week to build a following. Never assume that all your connections will see each message. LinkedIn only shares your posts with about 10% of your network, and many people simply don’t read the newsfeed.
2. Post items of interest to your readers, not just articles about your product or service. Share company news; spotlight your clients and employees; post photographs of charitable and civic events; illuminate how-to guidance and feature inspiring quotes, videos, and thought-provoking memes; and highlight personal wisdom and compelling stories. People engage more with posts that aren’t selling them something.
3. Follow client and prospect organizations’ company pages and connect with people at those businesses. Then, positively comment on and like their posts. Many clients will do the same with your posts. And prospects? They will often think you are already in their supplier orbit and consider you for their business.
Take the plunge and post on LinkedIn. It could build relationships with your customers and prospects and lead to new business.
Kathy Bernard (kathy@wiseru.com), CEO of WiserU.com, is a St. Louis-based LinkedIn expert/trainer who trains and equips individuals and businesses to maximize LinkedIn for sales, marketing, or fundraising.