Your business is on Main Street, not on Wall Street.
You see the Fortune 500 companies getting publicity and visibility, but what about YOU?
It’s just as important to build credibility and trust when working locally, I’d say even MORE important if you want to STAY in business. Now, are you wondering how can you do that virtually through LinkedIn?
Here are five tips on how you can use LinkedIn to increase your local business:
1. Establish Credibility as an Expert
Increasing familiarity with your business is a must! You need to show local clients what you do, how you do it and your success rates right from the beginning, and that starts with your LinkedIn company page that focuses solely on your brand.
Once you have it made, go ahead and promote yourself! LinkedIn has multiple options now that allow you to promote your page as advertisements to target segments.
Get your business out there, get connecting with people and show them your successes; and don’t be afraid to brag a little!
2. Build A Network Of Local Business Owners
I love local-based networking groups, like I mentioned in my social media quick tip! People love to do business with associates near by, which make it a key topic to consider when growing your local business and network of clients.
Join a few local networking groups and see what the conversations about, or even start your own! From there, you can engage with local business owners, give recommendations, post blogs and mention events you may have coming up. As a result, you can establish connections, as well as gain multiple clients from your participation in these groups.
Once you’ve built this network, connect with your local clients! It’s a great way to stay in touch, further your client base and support the people who support you!
3. Get Recommendations From Your Network
After you’ve built your network, you probably already have a few local business connections that want to support you, so why not ask for recommendations?
If you recommend and encourage other local business owners, then go ahead and ask for a recommendation back! People love to hear about business from other people who are local.
4. Host Events And Promote In Local LinkedIn Groups
Getting face-to-face meetings with potential clients is the ultimate goal in building relationships with local business owners. By hosting events relative to your audience, you create the opportunity to get in front of these businesses that may need your help.
Promote these events in the location-based groups you have joined or created, as well as post your events to other local groups that attract your target audience.
5. Don’t Forget Personal Branding!
When it’s all said and done, your business is nothing without your personal brand. Be sure to stay true to what you have a built and maintain these positive social networking relationships through your brand image. After all, you are what you post!
Ready to get started? Join my LinkedIn group, Profitable Social Media Tips! You’ll learn some fun ways to get more clients and have an opportunity to join my FREE 21 day LinkedUp Revolution Challenge!
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