LIMITED SPOTS
All plans are 30% OFF for the first month! with the code WELCOME303
LIMITED SPOTS
All plans are 30% OFF for the first month! with the code WELCOME303
LinkedIn is one of the most popular professional networking sites in the world, but it’s also a great resource for finding new business opportunities. This article will show you some ways that businesses are using LinkedIn to source potential customers. It’ll help you understand what they're doing (and not doing) so that you can learn more about your own prospects.
In addition, we'll share insights from LinkedIn's Vice President of Marketing, who shares her thoughts on effective lead generation tactics for this platform.
If you want to get started right away, here's an easy way to build up your network and start generating leads today!
There are several ways that B2B and B2C companies have used LinkedIn to boost their revenue and grow their customer base. Here are three examples:
1. Networking - The first step towards any successful partnership or sale is building trust between two parties. This means connecting with people outside of your company. By reaching out to other professionals via email, social media, etc., you create relationships which may eventually result in future collaboration. As the saying goes, "It takes 10 seconds to make someone feel important." So if you've been working hard at making yourself look good online, don't stop there! Reach out to others by sending them personalized emails and following up with phone calls when appropriate.
2. Content promotion - If you're looking to promote a product or service, chances are your target audience has already heard about it. And while many might say content doesn’t sell itself anymore, it still plays a huge role in getting results. Whether you're promoting a webinar, eCourse, white paper, blog post, video, etc., these types of products need exposure. Use LinkedIn groups and pages to reach likeminded individuals who would appreciate hearing about such items. You could even write articles directly related to your niche, then publish them on Medium or wherever else to drive traffic back to your site.
3. Influencer outreach - When it comes down to it, influencers play a major part in driving awareness for certain brands and services. They often receive compensation or perks for sharing information about specific products or events. While the concept behind this type of relationship isn't necessarily wrong, it does require careful planning. For example, you wouldn't go into an interview unprepared for questions about why you left your previous job. So before approaching anyone, take time to research the person you'd like to work with, and prepare accordingly. Be sure to ask followup questions during conversations to ensure you're both on the same page and able to collaborate effectively.
These simple steps should help you begin leveraging LinkedIn to its fullest potential. But how exactly can you utilize this platform to improve your sales process? Let's dive deeper into the topic.
Automation is key to success with any technology, including LinkedIn. That's because automation allows you to set things up once, and forget about them...or better yet, never worry about them again. Automated systems allow us to save valuable time, focus our attention elsewhere, and ultimately produce higher quality results than manual tasks.
Here's a quick breakdown of how you can automate your LinkedIn profile:
Create a custom URL - One of the easiest ways to automate your LinkedIn profile is to add a unique domain name to your account. Once you've done that, you can simply link all of your profiles together with relative links like /profile/firstname/lastname/. This makes it much easier to manage multiple accounts instead of having to constantly update different URLs manually.
Email notifications - A lot of users choose to send automated updates every few hours or days depending on the frequency of activity on their LinkedIn profile. These types of updates include things like a welcome message upon joining LinkedIn, or a thank you note after receiving feedback. Many people prefer scheduling these sorts of messages rather than responding to each individual request, so it only makes sense that you too can schedule those kinds of actions.
Connections - Another benefit of automating your LinkedIn connection requests is that it saves you tons of time. Instead of manually requesting friends to accept your invitation or adding everyone individually, you can simply select the options above and let LinkedIn handle everything automatically. There's no reason you shouldn't try this technique!
The number 1 mistake people make when trying to gain followers on LinkedIn is thinking that just being active enough will bring them success. However, the reality is that it's actually quite difficult to achieve true popularity on a platform like LinkedIn. To put it another way, it's nearly impossible to become a celebrity overnight without massive amounts of effort and luck.
So, the solution? Start small! Think about the smallest amount of engagement possible that will give you the biggest impact. Maybe you join a group where you discuss topics relevant to your industry, or maybe you participate in discussions on Twitter and Facebook. Whatever it is, commit to spending a minimum of 5 minutes per day engaging with others.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you won't see immediate gains unless you invest in creating high value content. People tend to flock to posts that offer something useful to them, whether it's a question answered or a piece of advice offered. Keep in mind that you can always share your own personal experiences, especially if you know what works well for you personally. Just remember to avoid posting anything negative or controversial.
Lastly, don't be afraid to reach out to influential members of your community. Ask them for recommendations, and provide testimonials whenever you can. Doing so shows them that you care, and gives them a chance to reciprocate. After all, they likely have mutual contacts whom they could refer you to.
When it comes to growing your follower count, nothing compares to mass connection strategies. Why? Because it creates real interest among thousands of followers at once, giving you far greater visibility than what you could ever hope to accomplish otherwise.
But how exactly can you do this successfully? Well, here are 3 tips to consider:
Go global - Don't limit your search to local connections. Expand your networks beyond your country borders by searching internationally. Not only will this open doors to potential partners around the globe, but it will also expand your knowledge of the marketplace you're targeting.
Use hashtags strategically - Hashtags are a fantastic way to amplify your presence on LinkedIn. Search for relevant tags, and use them liberally throughout your bio and public updates. Also, check out trending hashtags within your area of expertise to stay current.
Build an elite list - Create lists of people based on interests, skills, location, etc. Then invite them to engage in meaningful interactions. Make sure that you communicate clearly and consistently with them, and encourage them to interact with you as well. Remember that this kind of strategy requires patience and consistency. It takes time to develop long term relationships on platforms like LinkedIn, so stick with it. Eventually, your efforts will pay off.
Once you've mastered these techniques, you'll definitely notice a significant improvement in your productivity and overall performance. And now that you've learned about how to leverage LinkedIn as a lead generator, it's time to move onto Step 2: How to Generate Leads Through Linkedin Sales Navigator.
"6 Secrets to Building Your Personal Brand Online": Our guide explains how to use digital tools to market yourself professionally. We explain the importance of branding, plus how to optimize your website, social media channels, and email campaigns.
"9 Ways to Build Relationships With Prospective Customers Using Social Media": Our guide teaches you how to turn strangers into loyal fans. From asking insightful questions to showing appreciation, we teach you how to cultivate authentic friendships on social media.
"5 Tips for Increasing Engagement on LinkedIn": Our guide provides five actionable methods to maximize your engagement on LinkedIn, such as writing compelling status updates, replying to comments, and increasing your visibility.
"7 Simple Steps to Grow Your Business on LinkedIn: An Action Plan to Get More Connections & Boost Your Profits": Our guide reveals seven straightforward steps that will help you establish lasting partnerships on LinkedIn. We outline what to expect along the way, plus how to overcome common obstacles.
LinkedIn can be one of the best resources you have if you want to make money online or in your business. It’s also one of the most challenging platforms to market yourself on because it takes time to build relationships with people who might buy what you sell. If you don't know what steps to take next, here's an overview of some effective ways to get started using LinkedIn as a lead generator.
Whether you're looking to grow your list by connecting with other marketers, find new clients, create brand awareness, or increase traffic to your website, there are many reasons why you should start building connections on LinkedIn today.
If you're not sure where to begin, this article will help you understand how LinkedIn works as a lead generating resource. You'll learn about different types of ads that can drive targeted prospects toward your landing page, explore all the tools available to you, and see which ones work best for your specific situation. Plus, we've got advice from our own experts, including LinkedIn's Vice President of Marketing, Brian Halligan.
We'll show you how to set up a lead generation campaign on LinkedIn right now so you can get started immediately!
When searching for answers to "how do I use LinkedIn" questions, you may come across many articles that tell you to spend hours creating a profile and trying out dozens of campaigns before finding something that works for you. This is definitely true for general B2C advertising (i.e., selling products directly to consumers), but when you're marketing to businesses, you need to focus more on generating quality leads instead of just getting them interested enough to click on your link.
That means focusing less on how much content you post on your LinkedIn profile and more on optimizing your ads based on what actually drives actionable results. Here are three key areas to consider when deciding which type of LinkedIn ad is right for you:
The audience - Your ideal prospect doesn't care whether they like cats or dogs better than fish. They probably aren't even aware of their favorite food group until you mention it during your conversation. So make sure you tailor your message accordingly.
The offer - When someone clicks on your ad, chances are good that he wants something. If you're pitching an affiliate product, make sure your headline has a clear call to action. Otherwise, think carefully about the value you bring to the table. Will your product solve a problem? Or does it only provide temporary relief? Make sure your customers know exactly what they're buying before they buy it.
The landing page - There's no point sending potential buyers to a generic home page if you haven't built a compelling reason to visit. That said, don't overthink things either. Just keep it simple. Include important information such as pricing, contact details, testimonials, etc., while keeping it short and sweet.
Now let's dive into each of these sections individually.
There are two main methods for attracting prospective customers onto your site via LinkedIn Ads: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) placements and Sponsored Updates. Both require you to pay monthly fees to LinkedIn, though SEO isn't necessary if you already have a high ranking on Google.
You can choose between paid and organic listings depending on the type of company you'd like to reach. For example, a startup would benefit more from a paid listing since they won't appear in search engine rankings yet, whereas large corporations often prefer organic due to its popularity among users.
Here's how you go about setting up both SEO and sponsored updates to attract leads on LinkedIn:
Search Engine Placement - The first thing you'll need to decide is what kind of company you want to advertise to. Are you looking for startups? Large companies? Smaller firms? Whatever niche you pick, make sure you include keywords related to your industry inside your ad copy.
Sponsored Update - Next, you'll need to determine whether you want to place your update within a particular section of LinkedIn (such as Jobs). Then select the appropriate category and click Create Ad. Finally, fill in the fields provided on the following screen and check off the boxes indicating whether you want to promote certain categories of jobs.
Once you submit your request, LinkedIn will review your application and send you an email confirming approval after 48 hours. Once approved, you'll receive payment every 30 days thereafter.
In addition to placing your ad on LinkedIn itself, you can also connect with LinkedIn Lead Generation Sales Navigator. This feature allows you to schedule your posts at any given date and time so you never miss an opportunity for exposure.
A lead gen campaign refers to a series of advertisements that aim to convert visitors into leads. Typically, you'll run several campaigns simultaneously to test various messages and landing pages. As long as you meet your goals (a/k/a conversions), LinkedIn credits you with earning revenue.
For example, one way to generate leads on LinkedIn is to create a unique ad that links back to your homepage. Each month, you could then display those same ads again to another pool of potential customers. By doing this, you'll likely earn additional revenue without needing to invest too much time into managing your account.
Another great option involves running Facebook ad campaigns specifically designed to drive traffic to your LinkedIn profile. To accomplish this task, you'll need to purchase the relevant Facebook Advertising Planner app.
This service gives you access to prebuilt templates that allow you to design custom ad campaigns within minutes. After selecting the template you wish to apply to your project, simply input the required data points, such as desired budget, demographics, interests, and location.
Next, you'll upload your chosen images, add text, and adjust settings such as placement and delivery frequency. Selecting the Campaign Builder button triggers the creation of a live advertisement in real-time. From there, you can track performance metrics, change settings, and edit the entire campaign whenever needed.
Lastly, you can also opt to utilize LinkedIn's Content Discovery feature. This function enables you to browse existing profiles and uncover interesting topics that might interest your target audience.
To get the most bang for your buck, you'll want to leverage multiple targeting fields to maximize your ROI.
First, look for opportunities to expand your ad beyond LinkedIn itself. Some examples include adding Twitter feeds, sharing on social media sites like Pinterest, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube, or posting on blog networks like Medium or HubSpot.
Second, you can broaden your horizons even further by taking advantage of LinkedIn Groups. These networking forums usually cater towards certain industries or professions, making them perfect places to gather information about upcoming events and trends.
Finally, you can also tap into LinkedIn's advanced features to filter down your audience even further. For instance, you can segment your followers by job title, region, gender, age range, education level, income bracket, and career stage.
With so many options available, you shouldn't feel limited by the choices listed above. Instead, experiment with different strategies until you find one that best fits your needs.
As mentioned earlier, LinkedIn offers two primary services to streamline your efforts: Lead Generation Sales Navigator and Sponsored Updates. However, if none of these options appeal to you, you can always try one of these five tactics:
Post regular status updates - One of the most popular ways to engage with others on LinkedIn is by publishing frequent updates highlighting recent accomplishments, newsworthy events, noteworthy achievements, and valuable tips.
Create public groups - A community forum is similar to a traditional discussion board except members have the ability to interact with one another via private messaging. Since LinkedIn is essentially a business network, you can easily join conversations surrounding trending topics, industry conventions, and emerging technology.
Join communities devoted to your field of expertise - With hundreds of thousands of professionals active on LinkedIn, there's bound to be a few dedicated to your area of study. Whether you're seeking inspiration or advice, joining these groups will give you plenty of motivation to stay productive throughout the day.
Follow influencers in your line of work - Another fun way to gain insights from experienced colleagues is by watching their videos, reading their blogs, and checking out their websites. Many top names in their respective fields frequently publish content on LinkedIn, giving you ample opportunity to learn from them firsthand.
Take part in Q&A sessions - Whenever a question arises regarding a topic you're passionate about, hop online and ask for assistance. Not only will you gain knowledge from fellow students, you'll also gain valuable experience by helping others.
Want more ideas? We've compiled 10 useful LinkedIn hacks you didn't know existed. And speaking of hacks...
If you're struggling with finding the right prospects or generating enough leads for your business, then it might be time to look at using LinkedIn's lead generation tools. LinkedIn has been around since 2003 when it was first created by Reid Hoffman (founder of Facebook) who was also an early investor in Twitter. Since its inception, LinkedIn has grown exponentially into one of the biggest social networks in the world today.
According to the latest figures published by Statista, there are more than 200 million users worldwide, which makes up about 30% of all internet users. The platform boasts over 500 Million active members and that’s only growing every day! It’s no wonder why so many people rely on this network for their professional needs and networking.
But what if you have trouble getting those connections started? What can you actually do to make sure you’re making the most out of your profile, recommendations, and other features that help grow your network? Let me show you some tricks that will help you get connected and start building relationships online.
Lead Generation is an important part of any digital strategy because without leads, you won't see results - especially in B2B where leads are crucial. You need to know exactly whom to target and send them messages. And while there are plenty of ways to promote yourself offline, getting new contacts via LinkedIn means reaching the right audience at the right time.
There are two main types of lead generation on LinkedIn: organic and paid. Organic refers to connecting with potential customers directly, whereas paid refers to promoting your content to targeted audiences on behalf of another company.
Organic Lead Generation
In order to connect with others on LinkedIn, you'll want to focus on three things:
Your Profile
Recommendations
Feedback & endorsements
You should always keep these areas updated regularly. Your profile includes basic information like job title, current location, education history, and work experience. This helps potential clients understand what kind of person they'd be working with. Recommendations are basically testimonials written by previous colleagues, students, etc., that provide valuable insight regarding your expertise and ability to handle projects. They are meant to build trust between you and prospective employers. Lastly, feedback and endorsement requests tell others what value you offer. These are often used to verify your credentials and track record.
When someone views your personal profile, they may click "Connect" if they feel comfortable doing so. If not, they can choose to view just your public updates instead. When you share something publicly, anyone can read your post but only certain approved followers can comment. However, private posts remain hidden until you grant permission.
Paid Lead Generation
While organic methods are great, sometimes you can't wait months before starting conversations. Paid lead generation allows you to reach specific individuals based on criteria such as industry, geography, age group, or even gender. There are several different options available depending on whether you prefer email marketing, video ads, sponsored groups, or website advertising. To learn more about each option, check out our article on How Do I Use Linkedin For Sales Navigator? But for now, let's jump into the specifics.
Email Marketing
Using email marketing campaigns, you can quickly create lists of interested parties based on keywords related to your product offerings. Then, you can craft personalized emails to address common questions or concerns. Be careful though -- too much spammy messaging could turn off recipients. As we mentioned earlier, LinkedIn is a place to interact with friends and family, not necessarily strangers looking for products and services. So you don't want to go overboard here. Instead, you should aim to provide useful tips or insights that will increase your credibility and prove that you're worth contacting.
Video Ads
A popular method among marketers is creating short videos highlighting your skills and experiences. After uploading the file, LinkedIn automatically generates thumbnails that display on your YouTube channel page. Once you've uploaded the video, you can set the price range and duration of the campaign, as well as select tags to define your demographic. You'll receive reports detailing metrics including clicks, impressions, and conversions. Depending on the type of video, you might receive payments within 24 hours or after approval.
Sponsored Groups
Similar to YouTube channels, LinkedIn offers Sponsored Group Ads. Similar to Video Ads above, you upload a description and thumbnail image along with pricing details. Unlike YouTube, however, you cannot edit your descriptions once they appear on the site. Additionally, unlike YouTube, you must pay upfront for the privilege of running advertisements.
Website Advertising
LinkedIn also offers Website Advertisements similar to Google AdWords. Again, you upload a brief description along with images and prices. This service provides a better return on investment compared to the aforementioned options due to higher conversion rates. Also, because your advertisement appears on multiple websites, you can optimize your spend across platforms.
To effectively market your brand online, your goal isn't to simply advertise. Rather, you want to convert visitors into buyers. That requires knowing precisely who to contact, when to reach out, and how to communicate effectively. Here are 5 steps to follow when performing lead generation on LinkedIn:
1. Create a compelling headline. Don't assume everyone knows what you sell. Make sure your message stands out and grabs attention. Remember, you only get one chance to grab someone's interest, so make sure yours does.
2. Craft a clear call to action. Tell people specifically what they should do next and include relevant links. Include instructions and/or ask a question if necessary.
3. Follow up consistently. Set a schedule for sending messages and stick to it. Never stop communicating with prospects unless you hear back from them.
4. Test various formats and mediums. Try different approaches to determine which ones work best for your business.
5. Stay consistent. Always update your status and stay engaged. A good rule of thumb is to respond to comments on a daily basis. Even if nothing comes of it, it shows that you care about your community and that you respect their opinions. Plus, you never know when the perfect prospect could pop up.
For B2B lead generation, LinkedIn is a powerful tool. By leveraging key features like profiles, recommendations, and feeds, you can easily identify potential prospects and engage them further. Keep in mind that LinkedIn is NOT a catchall solution. While it can certainly assist in lead generation efforts, you still need to conduct research and develop strategies tailored towards your individual goals.
As a small business owner or entrepreneur, you want to leverage your own unique talents and strengths to stand apart from competitors. With LinkedIn, you can take advantage of your existing connections to drive traffic to your brand. Whether you're selling physical goods, services, or both, LinkedIn can help you build long term partnerships with quality professionals. All you need is the knowledge of how to leverage these opportunities.
A LinkedIn lead gen ad is a form of advertising that promotes your business on LinkedIn. Like traditional forms of advertising, it uses a variety of creative techniques to attract consumers' attention. Some examples include text banners, carousel ads, and promoted stories.
The key difference lies in the fact that LinkedIn advertisers usually aren't trying to persuade readers to buy anything. Instead, they're hoping to encourage engagement and conversation.
Here are some general guidelines to remember when deciding whether or not to run a LinkedIn lead gen ad:
Avoid obvious self promotion.
Keep the tone casual and friendly.
Don't try to force your readers to sign up for a newsletter or download app.
Focus on helping rather than selling.
Don't use inappropriate language.
Do not mention competitor names.
Do not solicit money.
Remember, you're ultimately seeking to boost brand awareness and increase your visibility among peers. Therefore, your primary objective shouldn't be to gain profit.
Whether you're a solo operator or manage a team of employees, LinkedIn can be beneficial for increasing your exposure and driving traffic to your website. Using the platform correctly takes patience and effort, but it pays off eventually. Just think of the benefits you could potentially reap!
If you're ready to begin utilizing LinkedIn for your business, consider learning how to implement lead generation tactics to bring in high-quality leads. Not only will you save time and energy, you'll also avoid wasting resources attempting to reach untargeted audiences.
AI tools to find & convert leads. 
Send emails at scale
