Small Businesses, Big Ideas: Announcing the LinkedIn ProFinder Small Business Contest

As a small business owner, you are always looking for ways to work smarter and faster.

At LinkedIn, we’re committed to helping you do just that. In support of this endeavor, we recently introduced LinkedIn ProFinder, a brand new platform that provides consumers and small businesses an easy way to connect with top freelance professionals for project-based work. Many small businesses like yours are already using ProFinder to find the quality freelancers they need, but we want to do more to help you take your small business to the next level.

Today, we’re excited to announce the ProFinder Small Business Contest! Today through November 30, 2016, you, as a small business owner, can share your small business story - i.e., your inspiration for starting your own business, your journey getting it off the ground and the lessons you’ve learned along the way  - to be eligible for a three-month LinkedIn Premium Business Plus subscription and cash prizes totaling $10,000.

Throwing your hat in the ring is easy! All you need to do is submit your story via the Profinder Small Business Contest page and simultaneously post it to your own small business website or blog. Promoting your submission on your social channels using the hashtag #ProFinderContest is also highly encouraged. Judging will be held on November 30th and the top three submissions will be awarded cash prizes - $5k, $3k and $2k - and exclusive company spotlights on the ProFinder blog.

Your small business story deserves big recognition - be sure to submit today!

#ProFinderContest

Eligibility

  • You must be at least eighteen (18) years old and a legal resident of one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia.

  • You must be a small business owner or employee at a company with 25 employees or fewer. No more than 3 entries per small business. Each entry must be a unique response.

  • Employees and affiliates of LinkedIn and members of their immediate families, and persons residing at the same address, are not eligible to apply for this contest.

Prizes

  • Prizes are awarded based on the quality of the story and at LinkedIn’s sole discretion

  • The top small business story submission will be awarded a $5,000 (USD) cash prize and will be featured on the ProFinder blog.

  • Second place will be awarded a $3,000 (USD) cash prize and third place will be awarded a $2,000 (USD) cash prize. Both will receive features on the ProFinder blog. Only one cash prize will be awarded per company.

  • The first 10,000 small business owners and employees to share their stories may be eligible for a three-month LinkedIn Premium Business Plus subscription, which will allow the recipients access to InMail messages, business insights, and unlimited profile search to enhance their brand and promote their business. If you have subscribed to any LinkedIn Premium service at any point in the prior 3 months, you are not eligible to receive this prize.

How to Apply

To apply, submit a complete application and post your small business story on your personal or company blog. Don’t forget to also share your story via your social channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, Tumblr, etc.) using the hashtag #ProFinderContest. Consider the following prompts when writing your story and be sure to keep your response between 250 and 500 words:

  1. Describe your business. What impact has it had on you, your customers, and/or your community?

  2. How would you leverage LinkedIn and LinkedIn ProFinder to maximize the impact of your business?

All applications must be submitted through the ProFinder Small Business Contest Entry Form.

For more information about the official rules of the contest, review our Official Contest Rules.