Social media has changed the world of marketing and become a
force to be reckoned with during the past few years. But it's more than
just a social affair. The social media has given individual and
businesses amazing options in terms of how we create, connect and share
what we have online, particularly with a niche social network like
LinkedIn.
Social Networking
It's important to understand how social networking works, particularly for those in business.
In
its simplest form, social networking involves forming substantiating
online social networks for communities of people who share common
interests and activities. Sites like LinkedIn allow users to create
personal profiles and then interact using these connections, sharing
media, sending messages and blogging. Most importantly, social network
enable you - and your business - to extend way beyond your personal
network.
Used correctly, social networking can be an incredibly powerful tool in your business operation.
The LinkedIn Concept
LInkedIn
is a network that has been established specifically for the use of
professional people and businesses. And again, relating to the very
basic form, it is a social networking system that enables members to not
only connect with other people doing related jobs and business, but to
also recommend people and businesses to other members of LinkedIn.
It can be HUGE!
Just
a few months ago, in February 2013, LinkedIn announced that
Hewlett-Packard (HP) had hit the 1-million mark in terms of people
following them - making them the first company to achieve this
milestone. This didn't just happen. HP has, for years, considered
LinkedIn as a "critical" link to their customers; and they use the
network to reach and build relationships with their community of
customers, as well as prospective employees and partners. No doubt they
are well aware of the fact that Sir Richard Branson reaped 1-million
followers on LinkedIn a very long time ago!
According to Natalie
Malazenko, VP of HP's digital marketing division, the reason their
achievement is "critical" is because these million followers in turn
link to more than 43-million individuals who are on the LinkedIn
network. So it is enabling the company to access an enormous database of
potential clients.
Of course like all social media networks, the
LinkedIn concept has evolved and developed over time. One of the most
notable changes was introduced in 2010, allowing members to "follow"
various companies. This is similar to Twitter, but is has a different
impact.
In 2012 LinkedIn introduced a "follow company" option that
can be embedded on web pages, and which makes it easier for people
looking for jobs, and companies looking to hire, to connect.
There is no doubt that using LinkedIn for business
will help you to leverage the playing field and compete very
successfully in your own area of business expertise. It is also an
amazing tool that you can use to grow your business.