How to Use LinkedIn to Get Leads

LinkedIn provides the perfect platform to get in touch with others in your profession. One of the first wheels to start rolling should be finding anyone who might not be already a part of the LinkedIn network and telling them what a useful tool it presents to connect with others who can be of value to them and their endeavors. Build your network with all the friends you can so you have a base for getting leads.

Because LinkedIn is a sharing environment, members are encouraged to help others and use those within the community. The membership base of LinkedIn is in the millions, which makes it a good source for lead opportunities. Even if you only gain a small percentage of leads to your website, it is a large pool from which to draw.

Here are some ways to increase your leads through LinkedIn Marketing

1. Finish setting up your website. You should complete your profile and make your site look professional and "cared for." So many people get scammed on the internet and they want to be sure they are actually dealing with a reputable individual or business.

An up to date and completed profile shows that you didn't abandon the website and go pursue something else. Make sure every link leading to your site is correct. You don't look very professional when you cannot properly link to your own website.

2. Maintain your websites. If you have a blog, you can link it with LinkedIn to provide continuity, but you do have to maintain the blog. People who land on a blog can see when updates were made and comments came through. Long periods of inactivity don't sit well with those looking for someone to work with on an important time sensitive project.

3. Use the Direct Ads feature in LinkedIn. You can post advertisements to a group or specifically target others. This is helpful when reaching outside of your network. Direct Ads is not a plug and play feature; you will have to work on it and fine tune to achieve the best results.

4. Keep increasing your network. One of the best ways to expand is to find groups or packets of members who share your interests. Once you enter a group, you have acquired links with at least the members there, but you can then interlink with people outside the group who have connections.

5. Respond quickly to questions or requests. LinkedIn's messaging system is a prime place for people to ask questions about you and develop relationships. Failure to answer queries quickly can result in loss of interest. Make all responses professional in nature and avoid making derogatory statements about other members.

These are a few ideas for making your LinkedIn membership work for you and to get leads. Remember that this is a sharing network and that is why members work with each other so well. Successful leads generate good results within an atmosphere of mutual understanding and trust.