The Complete Guide to Using LinkedIn as a Small Business
Not sure if your business should be on LinkedIn? Chances are … it should be! Here’s our complete guide on LinkedIn for a small business—from creating an account, to advertising, to connecting with other professionals.
Posted last year
Written by
Mackenzie TaylorPosted last year
If you haven’t been on LinkedIn in a while and think it’s strictly a website for those seeking jobs, we’ve got a lot to catch you up on! LinkedIn has gotten a major facelift over the past few years and has completely transformed itself into a social media platform — for professionals. By not utilizing LinkedIn as a small business, you could miss out on potential customers and leads.
However, as a small business, it can be difficult to know where to start. In this blog post, we’ll be taking you through the steps of how to set up a business page, create ads, and generally use LinkedIn for business. So if you want to take your small business to the next level, keep reading for our ultimate guide on how to use LinkedIn for your small business.
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Why LinkedIn isn’t just for big corporations
Spoiler alert: LinkedIn isn’t a platform solely for corporate executives and people looking for new jobs.
It’s better to think of LinkedIn as a virtual networking event where everyone, from every industry, has come together to learn, network, and share information. It’s a place where professionals connect, share ideas, and showcase their expertise.
And honestly, the possibilities are endless!
Whether you’re a solopreneur, startup founder, or a small business owner, LinkedIn can help you expand your reach, generate leads, and build valuable relationships. One of the best things about LinkedIn is that you can find potential clients, partners, and even investors who are just a click away.
By being on LinkedIn you can make meaningful connections, create compelling ads, showcase your expertise, and track your successes. LinkedIn isn’t just for the corporate world — it’s for ambitious entrepreneurs like you who are ready to take their small businesses to new heights.
How to set up your small business LinkedIn page
Now that you know why you should start thinking about being on LinkedIn, let’s talk about how to set up your business on LinkedIn.
Step 1: Create your LinkedIn Profile
If you don’t already have a personal LinkedIn profile, it’s time you get one! Log in to your personal account, as you’ll need this to create a business account.
Once you log in, click “For Business” at the top right-hand side of the page and then “Create a Company Page.”
From there, select what type of page you want to create: Company, Showcase page, Educational institution.
Step 2: Fill out the details
Fill out all the details about your company! Your name, website, industry, size, type, logo.
Remember to fill out a tagline for your business as this will be helpful in people finding your company on LinkedIn.
Step 3: Choose the perfect photos
You want to put your best foot forward when it comes to your LinkedIn, so be sure to choose photos that highlight your brand online well.
Add a cover photo that reflects your brand — it can either be products or services you sell, your iconic office, your staff, and more. Whatever it is, make sure that it highlights your brand and business well!
Step 4: Write an intriguing “About” section
Give people the details they need about your company! Who are you? What do you do? Why should people care? Keep it engaging and make people want to follow you.
Step 5: Add your business achievements
Be sure to highlight any awards and achievements your business has had throughout your years of operation. There is no reason to be shy — this is the place to shout your achievements from the rooftop.
Step 6: Connect with relevant people
It’s time to start growing your network. Connect with employees, partners, and people who would benefit your business. Be sure to personalize your requests so that people know it’s a person behind the brand and not a bot.
Step 7: Stay active and engaged
Now that you have created the account, you have to make sure you’re keeping it up-to-date! Be sure to share articles, any new launches, your ideas and opinions, and more. Don’t forget to also engage with other accounts to keep the business conversations going and your account top of mind.
💡 Flick’s tip: Need help being consistent on LinkedIn? Start a free 7-day trial with Flick to create all of your content from start to finish. Brainstorm content ideas, get captions in your brand voice, and schedule your content all from one platform.
Tips for a More Engaging LinkedIn Profile:
- Use Keywords Wisely: Incorporate relevant keywords in your profile to improve discoverability.
- Ask for Recommendations: Encourage satisfied clients or customers to write glowing recommendations for your business.
- Engage Actively: Like, comment, and share content from your network. It’s a social platform, after all!
- Be Authentic: Show the human side of your business. Share your challenges, successes, and a few behind-the-scenes moments.
- Consistency is Key: Post and engage regularly. Consistency keeps your profile fresh and your connections engaged.
How to build your network on LinkedIn
Congrats! Your profile is complete. Give yourself a pat on the back (pat pat). Now, it’s time for the fun part to begin — networking!
On LinkedIn, it’s all about making connections and building relationships. But how do you do that on the social media platform? There’s a few ways to do it without feeling like a creepy DM slide:
First things first: Search for people you know! Start by building and growing your followers before you start doing cold DMs. Connect with people you’ve worked with in the past. This will help legitimatize your profile before you start connecting with others.
Next, start searching for people who are in your industry or those who share similar interests. The thing to remember here, though, is that it’s all about the quality and not the quantity of these connections. Connect with people who you genuinely want to engage with and can potentially add value to your network.
When you’ve finally connected, don’t be afraid to start a conversation! We know, we know, it can be daunting to reach out first! But there are ways to make it easier, like commenting on their posts, congratulating them on their achievements, or simply reaching out with a friendly message. Just be yourself and let your personality shine through.
Lastly, don’t forget to join relevant groups and participate in different discussions. Engage in conversations, share your insights, and don’t be afraid to ask questions!
How to create effective ads on LinkedIn
You’ve set up your LinkedIn business page, you’ve built your network, and now it’s time to take things to the next level and start getting even more reach to your content through advertising.
Let’s start off by talking about targeting. LinkedIn offers incredible targeting options, allowing you to really hone in on your target audience. Want to target CEOs of technology startups? Done. Looking for managers in the healthcare industry? Sure, no problem. You’ll be able to target your audience through LinkedIn in no time.
Next, it’s time to think about the content for your ad! Get creative because boring corporate jargon just isn’t the one. Show off your personality and engage your audience with humor! Remember the biggest thing with the ad is the fact you want to grab your audience’s attention and make them want to click.
And how do you make them click? With a great call-to-action. Make sure your CTA is stroll and compelling. Don’t settle for something as generic as “Learn more” or “Click here.” Give people a reason to click through! Whether it’s offering a freebie, special discount, or a chance to win something, make it impossible for them to not click.
Lastly, don’t forget to check your analytics! LinkedIn provides you with analytics on how your ads are performing. Be sure to pay attention to the metrics that matter the most to your business like click-through rates, conversions, and engagement. Once your ad is running long enough, head to your analytics and see if there are any areas you can optimize to make the ads more effective.
What to post as a small business on LinkedIn
You’ve set up your LinkedIn account, built a network, and can create ads on the platform. Now, it’s time to showcase your expertise and post some quality content. If you think you’re going to post standard corporate content on your pages, you’re thinking incorrectly. It’s time to ditch the boring, dry content and create engaging content that will work for your audience.
Yes, LinkedIn is a place for professionals, but that doesn’t mean we can’t sprinkle some humor and personality into your posts. Think outside the box and find unique ways to present your expertise. Maybe it’s through storytelling, infographics, or even hilarious memes. Remember, if you can make your audience laugh while teaching them something, you’re miles ahead of your competition already.
Don’t be afraid to share your own experiences and insights. Showcasing your expertise is about giving your audience a glimpse into your world and how you can help them. Share tips, tricks, and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Be the expert that everyone turns to for advice — but with some wit and a sprinkle of charm.
Lastly, don’t forget to engage with your audience. Respond to comments, ask questions and foster conversations. LinkedIn is all about building relationships, and by actively participating in discussions, you’re not only showcasing your expertise, but you’re also building trust and credibility.
How Flick can help your LinkedIn business page
If you feel like you will struggle with staying consistent and need a tool to help you, look no further than Flick. Want to know how it can help you?
Content Scheduling Simplicity
Life can get hectic, and consistently posting on LinkedIn is a challenge. That’s where Flick’s content scheduling feature comes in to help. With Flick, you can effortlessly plan and schedule all your LinkedIn content in advance. No more last-minute scrambles — your posts will go out like clockwork, ensuring your LinkedIn profile stays active and engaging.
AI Content Creation
Imagine having a seasoned marketer in your back pocket at all times. Flick’s AI content creation tool can write social media content for LinkedIn in no time like a pro. Need a captivating post for that latest business update? Flick’s AI can craft it for you, sparing you the agonizing hours spent staring at a blank screen. All you have to do is provide the tool with a keyword or topic and it will provide you with engaging and on-brand captions in seconds.
Brainstorming ideas
Coming up with fresh content ideas all the time can be time-consuming, frustrating, and just … hard. Flick’s AI doesn’t just stop at writing; it’s also an endless well of ideas. Need inspiration for your next LinkedIn campaign or post series? Flick can help brainstorm ideas that align perfectly with your brand and goals, ensuring your content strategy is always on point.
Time and Energy Saver
Running a small business or managing social media for a company can be a juggling act. Flick streamlines your content creation process, saving you precious time and energy. You can focus on other aspects of your business, confident that your LinkedIn content is in good hands.
Consistency and Engagement Boost
Consistency is key in the social media world, and Flick helps you maintain it effortlessly. With regularly scheduled, AI-generated content, your LinkedIn profile remains active and engaged, boosting your reach and brand credibility.
Ready to take your LinkedIn profile to the next level? It’s time to start your FREE 7-day trial with Flick.
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