LinkedIn has grown into one of the premier social networking sites. However, unlike most other social sites, LinkedIn is designed to help professionals connect with other professionals.

In addition to the standard posting and communication tools, LinkedIn also offers several tools and features that enable a motivated business owner to stand out above the crowd. Here are a few of them to consider using to build your business and use LinkedIn to your full advantage.

Recommendations

According to LinkedIn, “Users with recommendations are three times as likely to get inquiries through LinkedIn searches.”

Ask anyone that you’re connected to on LinkedIn to recommend you and return the favor. Recommendations go a long way toward establishing your credibility as a business owner and industry expert.

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Answers

“Answers” is a special section within LinkedIn that allows people to post questions. When you answer questions that are relevant to your industry niche and experience, it helps establish you as a credible expert. And credibility, as you may well know, is a buying trigger. People buy from people they consider to be experts.

Profile

Recommendations are part of your profile. There are other essential ingredients to an eye catching profile. They include:

Awards – You can enhance your profile by using the “Add Sections” tab. Under that tab you have a list of about twenty enhanced profile options that you can add to your profile. Consider adding “Honors and Awards” along with “Publications” if you’re published, and certifications if it is relevant to your credibility and business.

Pictures – People are visual in nature and like to see what other people look like. It helps them forge a personal connection to you. Take a professional photo and add it to your profile.

Summary – Also in your profile you have the ability to include a summary. This is a great place to include a bit of copywriting. Promote your business by discussing what benefits you provide. What is your USP and how can you make your prospect’s life better? This shouldn’t be a hard sell but rather a nice summary of what makes your business great.

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One of the best ways to boost your LinkedIn advantage is of course to connect with many people on the site. The more people who connect with you, the more potential business opportunities you’ll come across. Each person you’re connected with also has their own connections, thus broadening your exposure.

Like any social networking site, create a goal for your LinkedIn activities and a plan to achieve that goal. Test and track your success and measure how LinkedIn helps grow your business.

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