There’s always a lot of buzz about how Google interacts with Facebook and Twitter. And the attention is valid. Search results are being affected more and more by social signals. If people are talking about your company or product on Facebook, or posting links to your site on Twitter, Google smiles down on you.
But what many business owners (and SEOs for that matter) overlook is the importance of marketing yourself. When a local business owner is part of a community, he or she is often the face of the company. This is especially true for those who work in professional services.
For these businesses, LinkedIn is a powerhouse. I’m biased – I love LinkedIn. It’s designed well, easy to use, and a great way to learn more about your profession. The app is top-notch (it will even show you who has been looking at your profile!). And “linking in” with a business contact is a great way to spread the news about your company. On your profile page alone, there are at least 4 places to have links to your company website. It’s a search engine marketer’s dream come true.
Promoting yourself may seem arrogant. But nearly 21% of business related searches are for the owner’s or other key employees’ name or information. Having a LinkedIn profile capitalizes on these types of searches.
So how do you use LinkedIn to promote your business? First, if you don’t have a profile, make one. It’s a great way to brush off your resume and show things you’re doing and learning. Second, add information about your company and include a link to your company website. Lastly, connect with those whom you do business with every day. In an instant you’ve created awareness about your company.
You can even create a business page to tell your company’s story, highlight your products and services, engage with followers, share career opportunities, and get people talking.
LinkedIn is a B2B company’s paradise. If you visit daily and post frequently, other contacts, companies, and Google will notice. Even if you’re a B2C company, LinkedIn is a beautiful way to build brand awareness and build links – SEO fuel – to your website.
