Once considered a place for business and networking, today LinkedIn is also an important venue for branding and marketing. To add, some of the professional social network’s updates for this new year can even benefit you as a marketer.
An Improved Messaging System
LinkedIn’s former email system was difficult to use, old-fashioned and simply far from savvy. Thankfully everyone’s favorite professional social network may now boast a messaging system that is up to par with the rest of its offerings. The new messaging system is modern, easier to use and promotes shorter form conversations more in the style of instant messaging.
The New LinkedIn Groups
LinkedIn Groups have been an excellent forum for networking and marketing to those who have taken advantage of all of the site’s features. The latest updates for LinkedIn Groups may likely attract many more users to finally explore and participate actively in these forums. The new Groups has an updated, modern look that is easy to navigate and attractive. It is now possible to upload images to accompany your group posts and you may even directly mention other group members. Group members may invite other contacts into the groups they participate in and all group conversations are now only visible to members to increase exclusivity of content and to encourage more meaningful and engaging threads. Spam and promotional content will now be managed better than ever before and owners may conveniently manage their groups from their LinkedIn iOS applications. Finally, LinkedIn is utilizing smart technology to offer up ever more appropriate group suggestions by analyzing the group recommendations you reject and accept.
Being active in groups is an effective way to gain more profile views on the network, more company page and views and more visits (to your company website, other social networks…). Active group participation is an advantageous method for establishing yourself and thus your firm as an authority or expert in your field.
Marketing Opportunities on LinkedIn
There are so many reasons why you and your firm should have strong and active presences on LinkedIn. A few marketing opportunities on the network include highlighting your company’s latest press and products/services, networking with potential collaborators and industry influencers, utilizing content marketing for an expansive audience via LinkedIn’s publishing platform, gaining insights through surveys, keeping an eye and ear tuned in for the biggest keywords, trends, trending topics and innovations in your industry and more. LinkedIn is an impressive tool for both B2C and B2B marketing but it’s especially wonderful for those in the business-to-business arena.
