Most people in internet marketing know about Facebook and MySpace as potential areas to market their products and services, how many of you are members of the granddaddy of social networks – Linkedin?
Originally seen as a place for professionals to meet and look for career opportunities or swap ideas for professional development it is changing. It is not as easy to master as other social networks but is worth the effort. The average income of people on Linkedin is is over $100k, has a global audience of 23M.
Built upon trusted connections and relationships, LinkedIn has established the world’s largest and most powerful business network, with members from all five hundred of the Fortune 500 companies, as well as a wide range of household names in technology, financial services, media, consumer packaged goods, entertainment, fashion, and numerous other industries. LinkedIn is backed by world-class investors including Sequoia Capital, Greylock Partners, the European Founders Fund, Bessemer Venture Partners, Bain Capital Ventures and now Goldman Sachs, The McGraw-Hill Companies, and SAP Ventures.
They also allow a form of targeted pay per impressions advertising so you can aim you campaign at a very specific demographic and they have a small business package.
The thing to remember about Linkedin is it is very ‘group centric’. To get an established reputation you have to join groups in your area of interest. The first thing I would do is join groups and ‘listen’. See what kind of questions are being asked and then work out how you can offer advice or how to’s. The most powerful thing you can get from Linked in are testimonials and these are an essential part of your marketing strategy. You should have a page of your Blog solely for testimonials and ensure you use them in any printed literature. The best way to get testimonials is to give them to people you think add value or have helped you, or who you have worked with in the past.
So while Facebook may be the big daddy on the block make sure you are a member of the granddaddy as well if you are a serious network marketer. Feel free to link with me at http://www.linkedin.com/in/apeel.
