(By Megan Walker and published in The Courier-Mail 19 December 2011). Did you know you can use LinkedIn as a way to search for reliable suppliers, attract employees, lift your brand profile, meet potential customers or become a thought leader?

You can listen to what experts in your industry have to say, set up news alerts, learn from your peers, find industry events, and most importantly, build your business. Of all the online tools, LinkedIn is perhaps the unsung hero and in my opinion, it’s where business gets done.

Here’s a few tips for getting more out of this free tool:

1. Announce significant news about your business and follow up your contacts with a phone call
2. Launch new products and ask to meet with your contacts to explain the value of your new product for them (remember the ‘what’s in it for them’)
3. Seek out old contacts, people who you like. Let them know what you are doing now and the success of your business. Keep in touch and encourage them to become your advocates, effectively expanding your referral network
4. Run free polls with your colleagues or customers and unlock important insights. You could ask your customers how long they will be away over Christmas to help with planning or scheduling
5. Ask your key contacts for recommendations and give them recommendations as well. This is a great way to show mutual appreciation with customers, suppliers or employees

A great person to connect with on LinkedIn is Richard Dunks from Vantage Performance. He is an avid LinkedIn user and regularly posts excellent articles and useful information for business owners. Richard’s profile is a great example of how to set up your own LinkedIn profile.

Here are some other tips for enhancing your LinkedIn presence:

• Include key words in your profile that describe your professional achievements
• Add a list of specialties and skills gained through your work experience
• List causes you are interested in
• Include any publications that have printed stories about you or your business

With over two million LinkedIn users in Australia, you have a great opportunity to expand your professional network. Would you like to become a contact with me on LinkedIn?

For more information about establishing your digital marketing strategies, please contact me on 07 3899 8335 or megan@marketsavvy.com.au.

Kind regards
Megan Walker