Here’s how LinkedIn changed the way we did business
[Ed. note: This is a guest post from Kathy Steele, Vice President of an integrated marketing firm that credits networking as the key to their growth, and who discovered how vital social media sites like LinkedIn have become to their business process and success]I have to admit for a number of years I was under-utilizing the resources on LinkedIn. Recently our company has joined the conversation by embracing social media as part of our integrated marketing plan, and now we work with our clients to establish Web 2.0 strategies.
We use LinkedIn to leverage the experience of our group members, vet ideas, create new connections and re-establish relationships to increase sales and publicize the achievements of our clients and ourselves. We have even found that in our sales process, sending an InMail has garnered a much higher response rate than using email or phone contact. We have just found that when we send InMail vs email we have been getting a response in the same day where we may have had no response in the past. In addition, we have also been able to be more prepared for a meeting by viewing a contact’s profile in advance. This has had significant impact on the timetable of our sales cycle, particularly in the cases when we respond to a blanket RFP or quote.
More recently, we’ve also found ourselves on the speaking circuit more often thanks to a LinkedIn Poll. By responding to a LinkedIn Poll we were found by the Chicago Tribune who asked us to weigh in on social media best practices. Recognition in the article has helped secure three new speaking gigs, which wouldn’t have happened otherwise.
We are so impressed with the results we are spreading the word! We have been speaking to groups of CEOs, affiliations and chambers about how to use LinkedIn as well as other social media tools in their marketing mix. Social media messaging takes time and commitment, but the return has given us credible visibility and exciting new opportunities to present our capabilities to interested prospects.
Tags: kathy-steele, linkedin-small-business, linkedin-user-kathy-steele, small-business
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PERA Consulting July 9th, 2009
An interesting and positive post Kathy. I would be interested to hear how long you had to campaign before you began to see a meaningful move in your direction as a result of your new approach?
Tony Karrer July 9th, 2009
I’d be happy to do a guest post around how LinkedIn has transformed my knowledge work. This is something I speak about and blog about frequently:
http://elearningtech.blogspot.com/2009/07/linkedin-guide-for-knowledge-workers.html
Guillaume Foutry July 10th, 2009
I know it is not really related to the post, but why the who has seen my profile box disappeared??
Dirk Frey July 10th, 2009
@Guillame – We are aware of an issue and are looking into the resolution. Please contact Customer Service if you don’t see it in the next few days.
Ken July 11th, 2009
Linked in is Facebook for grown ups!
The Facebook of the Business World.
Before its done, it will revolutionise B2B commerce, connecting whole industries, business communities and interest groups across the planet.
Please let me have some shares prior to IPO!
Cheers,
Ken
Douglas Westerman July 14th, 2009
LinkedIn has radically changed the talent acqusition landscape as well.
mary July 20th, 2009
I liked your blog and believe that linkedin is a great tool too. I haven’t tried the linedin poll, but will. Congratulations on your gigs.
Mark Anderson July 20th, 2009
Viewing profiles upfront is also great for meetings. If you are the presenter you can better tailor your presention based on the experience and background of the group.
As for InMails, the one problem I have is I’ll exchange a few messages before I realize we are not actually connected. It would be nice if someone could ‘accept your InMail’ and connect at the same time if they so choose.
Pat O'Malley August 3rd, 2009
Nice post.
Quick LinkedIn tip for you – put common misspellings of your name, like Cathy and Steel, in your Linkedin profile so that people who are looking for you with those spellings can still find you.
I have details on a blog post at http://www.the-linkedin-speaker.com/blog/2009/01/27/missing-linkedin-tip-%e2%80%93-misspell-your-last-name-in-your-linkedin-profile/
Dirk Frey August 6th, 2009
@Pat- Good Idea! We are always trying to improve our search feature and recently updated a list of common first names to offer if no options appear, but I don’t believe it addresses misspellings of last names. I think your idea is a good one as long as ” like you said in your blog “preface it with something like: ” Common misspellings”.