Building your Business with Linkedin Tip #4 - Get Applications!

One of the best ways that you can build your business with Linkedin is to take advantage of their free applications. However, before you jump to this step, I would recommend that you read Tip #1, Tip #2 and Tip #3. If you have already been through that exercise, let's dive into the next tip.

I don't want to make the assumption that you are using a Marketing 2.0 strategy as part of your overall business building plan. That said, writing on Marketing 2.0 is a topic that would require an entire book. To break it down into very simple terms, with a Marketing 2.0 strategy your objective is to drive people toward your business by establishing yourself as a subject matter expert through the use of shared content. Even simpler, give away your knowledge for free on the Internet and people will want to do business with you! If you don't believe me, then quit reading, this article will be a waste of your time as will the other three. I can tell you that this business building strategy has worked for me. It has essentially taken the cold call out of the sales process. Every morning at my office is like Christmas morning. I can't wait to see who has called or emailed to engage my services.

To effectively share content with Linkedin, you need to use their applications. I use the following free applications and they have worked well for me.

• Amazon Reading List- this application allows you to show a list of books you are reading, have read or want to read. It allows you to rate them and recommend them. By having this type of information on your profile, your bond with like-minded connections will strengthen. In addition, it will allow you to see what your connections are reading. By commenting on your connections' reading lists, you will also strengthen the bond you have with them.
• Events - The Linkedin events application is a good way to move your connections from online to in person. Not only are you able to post events that you may be hosting; you will also be able to surf local events that may be of interest. In addition you can suggest events to friends, post them in groups and promote them through email. I will devote an entire post to Linkedin events, but I can assure you, if you aren't using this application, you are missing a valuable weapon in your arsenal.
• Slideshare - The Slideshare application is fabulous. If you are not familiar with Slideshare, that is a post in and of itself. Slideshare is essentially a place to post your static documents, presentations, pictures or videos online. By integrating the Slideshare application with your profile, the information you post on Slidshare becomes visible and thus readily available for your linkedin connections. Keep your eyes peeled for future posts on Slideshare.
• Bloglink - Bloglink is a great application because it allows you to see what your connections are writing about. Not only will it display your blog on your profile, it will allow you to see others' blogs from your homepage.
• Polls- You can use the polls feature to ask questions of your connections to determine where they stand on certain issues. By asking the right questions, you may learn what you need to know about what they would be looking for from a business like yours. If you do this successfully, this input is invaluable and will propel you to the next level of new business generation.
• Twitter - Twitter is an excellent tool as well. I hesitate to use it frequently on Linkedin because too much tweeting can be a detriment. Keep your eyes open for future posts on Twitter and you will learn how to use it to drive traffic to your content as well.

While this list does not contemplate all of the applications, it does contemplate the ones that I like and use. To see how they look in action, please feel free to connect with me by clicking here. In addition, you can find a complete list of Linkedin applications by clicking on the More tab all the way to the right on the top tool bar. The selection at the bottom should be for the Application Directory.

As always, if you have any questions or need clarification, please don't hesitate to contact me directly, I don't bite and I don't charge. I am simply a disciple of Marketing 2.0 and am happy to share my successes with others. I am also interested in hearing what has worked for you.
Until next time..........

 David R. Carothers, CIC, CRM is a Risk Management Consultant and Licensed Insurance Agent with Praxiom based in Tampa, FL. To contact David Directly, please email him at drc@praxiom-rm.com