How to Use LinkedIn Business Pages for Your Small Business

It was only a matter of time before business professional network LinkedIn became a useful and viable tool for small business to use effectively. Long an afterthought when it came to actively marketing with this social network, it has recently emerged from the shadows to offer a striking alternative to Facebook and Google pages. No longer is it merely a job seeking site, but an attractive and useful social channel. MarketingLand reports that LinkedIn has exploded to more than 3 million company pages and some 225 million members actively sharing content, engaging with one another, and making the most of the Web’s #1 business professional network.

How small business can be helped by LinkedIn

There are numerous ways creating a business page on LinkedIn can help your brand. Let’s examine a handful.

• Optimizing your LinkedIn profiles - Ensuring that you optimize your company page with any keywords you’re going after, as well as any contact information. Filling your home page along with any targeted pages you choose to use with relevant content ought to be high on your to-do list. You should be aware that profiles and pages do appear in Google search and also on LinkedIn, so it’s a smart idea to make the best possible use of this.
• LinkedIn search is growing - Since these posts on LinkedIn can and will appear in both a LinkedIn search and also Google, you’ll wish to be consistent with any keywords you intend to rank for. Newer ways LinkedIn is enhancing search is through the capability for LinkedIn admins to post as your brand, instead of as a single person. Other new tools include recent acquisition SlideShare, LinkedIn Influencers and Sponsored Updates, proving LinkedIn’s newfound commitment to search.
• Create epic content - Making sure you are posting your best with regards to content is a must on LinkedIn. This can take many forms from your home page, product pages and videos.
• Link out to social media - Astonishingly two-thirds of the top 100 LinkedIn company pages do not link back to their own social channels from LinkedIn. This really is a no-brainer, and it has Google search rewards as well.

LinkedIn is not just a glorified job board these days. It’s a full-fledged and active social network with a business flavor. Start taking advantage of LinkedIn company pages today!