LinkedIn is over 20 years old. What started as a tool for job seekers to post resumes has morphed into a full-fledged social media network with over 900 million users.
Since it’s not as fresh as some peers, marketers may wonder whether LinkedIn can still bring a worthwhile ROI. However, like other marketing tools, what you get from the site greatly depends on what you put into it.
Consider the following questions to determine whether you’re taking full advantage of how LinkedIn content can boost your B2B marketing.
Key takeaways:
- Though LinkedIn is business-focused, your content on the medium needs to have personality and help you build a community.
- LinkedIn is ideal for establishing credibility and linking to your content and website.
- Remember to appeal visually with scroll-stopping images and attention-grabbing videos.
- You can also use LinkedIn to test and refine your ideas and gain audience feedback.
Dig deeper: SEO guide to optimizing your LinkedIn profile for more connections, better leads
Though the site is for professionals, your LinkedIn page shouldn’t be all business. Like your other marketing efforts, infuse your personal and company pages with personality.
No one wants to partner with a faceless, bland company. As one marketing expert said, you should create “high-five content.”
Ask yourself before you post a comment, article or video: Will this put a smile on someone’s face or get an emphatic head nod?
Concern for community and social responsibility is at the forefront of purchasing, partnering and investing decisions. Don’t be afraid to warm hearts or show where you stand on social issues.
Above all, people are looking to solve problems. Discuss them in a way that shows you empathize with your core audience’s challenges.
Even a simple meme or GIF can communicate, “Hey, I know what you’re going through.” When your target audience starts thinking about who can help them solve that problem, you’ll be one of the first names that come to mind.
Is your content consistent and visual?
You’re not the only one out there trying to capture attention on LinkedIn. Our own research on how often you should post shows that consistent effort is necessary to attract eyes and ears.
Use scroll-stopping visuals that make readers pause an extra second on your posts. A picture is still worth a thousand words, so embrace visualizations and infographics.
You can also start to build a connection with ideal prospects by making your company come to life with images and videos of your team. Show what they do for similar clients in your target market.
Testimonials and brief case studies are other power tools. These endorsements make your company feel like a teammate that others want in their corner, too.
Most importantly, use tech tools to maintain a consistent schedule for posting. Sporadic messaging does little to establish your professionalism, while regular posts position you as an authority and an active organization that gets things done.
Are you targeting the right audience?
Other social media platforms may have a more extensive reach overall, but LinkedIn is uniquely positioned to help you tailor your message to better-qualified leads.
Master using the Campaign Manager to understand how your content performs with different groups. You may learn that you’re focusing on the wrong audience or lack a genuine focus on the right groups.
As you study your results, determine why you’re getting your current level of engagement and how to concentrate on high-quality leads.
Are you establishing credibility with thought leadership?
Content marketing has better long-term results than straight advertising because it builds credibility. As companies look for more suitable ways of solving challenges, valuable content makes you a name they trust and a thought leader.
Those likes and comments on LinkedIn offer an easy way to show that other people approve of you. Such responses are public social proof that’s harder to demonstrate on your own website.
Design information that teaches your prospects and motivates engagement, whether a like, comment or click. Of course, you want to get people to your site, so always link back to the content on your web pages to boost your SEO.
You become even more trustworthy when your team members post valuable articles and make insightful comments. Your ideal prospects will see you as an organization of skilled professionals that they can trust.
Are you experimenting with and improving your content?
Remember, your goal shouldn’t be to go viral. You should laser-focus on your niche to build an engaged fanbase.
When you experiment, expect to make a few missteps. Social media provides the optimal method for testing smaller posts and ideas to finding out what hits.
The key point is to be active on the platform. Set specific goals, create an actionable plan, implement your ideas, measure the ROI, refine your strategy and repeat.
Are you taking steps to use Linkedin as a catalyst for your B2B marketing?
LinkedIn shouldn’t be the only aspect of your B2B marketing, but you shouldn’t neglect it either. As you devise or refine your LinkedIn marketing strategy, determine how you can incorporate these suggestions into your plan of attack.
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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily MarTech. Staff authors are listed here.
