6 Ways to Use LinkedIn to Get Referrals for New Clients
By Jane Hurst – february 5, 2018
Is your small business getting the most out of LinkedIn? Learn how to use the business networking site to boost your profile and get more customers.
If you are not using LinkedIn to get referrals for new clients, you are not getting the most out of the business networking platform. Yes, like other social sites, it is a way for you to get your business noticed. But you can use LinkedIn for so much more.
When people visit your LinkedIn profile, they should see everything they need to know about your business. But, how do they visit your profile if they don’t know about it? Or, if they do know about it, how can you make them stick around? Here are six things you can do to improve your LinkedIn profile and get more referrals for new clients.
Is your business info correct on social media sites? Find out with a FREE Marketing Report from Manta.
1. Create a Profile Background
If you really want your profile to get noticed, you need to make sure it stands out. To do this, your profile should have a background header, or headline, that is going to catch the attention of those who are looking for your services. A headline will tell people who you are, what you do, and show that you are an authority in your industry.
2. Get a New Headshot
It is always a good idea to have a photo with your profile, but it shouldn’t be one that was taken with friends, a romantic partner, or scanned from your high school yearbook. It is best to have a professional headshot. Yes, you will likely have to pay a photographer for this, but it is going to be well worth it in the long run. If you are not able to have professional photographs taken, ask a friend or family member to take some photos of you that have a professional appearance.
3. Write a Profile Summary
In addition to having a headline, you will also need a profile summary, and the first line should be just like a headline to grab the attention of clients. The summary should begin with an engaging statement or question, something that is going to make people think. Your summary should be written in conversational form, so it sounds like you’re having a chat with your readers, not lecturing them. This is also a good place for your resume summary.
4. Build a Strong Online Presence
You will need to create a strong online identity, and there are various ways that you can do this. First, have a personal profile for each professional in your business. You will also need to have a company page with general information, and you can even create “showcase” pages for specializations. Use search engine optimization techniques (SEO) to create content that is going to be found in searches, and that people are going to be interested in.
5. Reach Out to Current Clients
Now it is time to start connecting with clients. Invite them to join you on LinkedIn if they aren’t already connected. If you feel comfortable enough to ask, see if any of your clients will write testimonials that you can use on your LinkedIn profile. You can also use the testimonials for your website or other marketing materials. Once you have reconnected with your recent clients, it’s time to reach out to prospective clients to attract new business.
6. Connect with Potential Clients
As you connect with potential clients, it’s important to build a strong relationship beyond LinkedIn. Whenever possible, it is a good idea to meet these people in person, so you can really get to know who they are, their needs, and how your business can help. Build a relationship offline, and continue to send out emails and other notifications to keep your company fresh in their minds.
3 Ways to Stretch Your Paid Search Budget
By Carie Ferg, Manta Contributor – September 19, 2017
Paid search can be an effective way to drive clicks, calls and sales conversions. But without the right strategy, it can also be a waste of money.
Advertising with Google AdWords may be the right way to drive your small business’ sales, but it’s important to craft a thoughtful plan before launching a paid search campaign. Here are three tips to get you started, according to Stacy Racer, senior manager of site search at Cardinal Health:
1. Know Your Budget!
“Without a solid spend strategy, it is easy to continue to throw money at your pay-per-click campaign without getting a strong return,” Racer said. Budget planning can be pretty painless when you use the Keyword Planner within your AdWords account. There, you can plan and get a budget forecast based on desired keywords.
2. Determine Your Desired Outcome
Whether it’s trying to get consumers to purchase something or just sign up for something, you need to decide what you want users to do at the end of the journey. “This desired outcome should drive your ad copy and landing page for your final URL,” Racer advised. “Also, make sure you have proper tagging in your cart or final submission action so you can calculate your ROI on your campaigns.”
3. Know Your Customers
“The worst thing you can do after planning out your budget and campaigns is waste money on geographic areas or types of customers who are not going to purchase your product,” she said. Use the “Setting” tab to specify who, where, and time of day you want to spend ad dollars. “Focusing on the right devices, areas, and customer types will help increase your ROI,” according to Racer.
Google’s New Feature Helps Your Business Answer Customers’ Questions
By Brooke Preston, Manta Contributor – August 30, 2017
With “Questions & Answers” tool, small business owners can now answer customer questions directly on Google search and Google Maps.
Google’s latest search feature could be a helpful tool for small business owners everywhere. The new Questions & Answers section appears in the local business listings within Google search and Google Maps. Users can post questions to be answered by other users or the business owner.
For instance, a potential customer might ask if a nearby auto shop also sells tires, or a pet owner may want to know if a shop that came up in their Google Maps search welcomes four-legged guests. Questions and answers can be seen by everyone; helpful answers can be up-voted by other users, encouraging the most useful content to rise to the top.
Business owners can add their own answers to customer questions or even pre-emptively post some frequently asked questions. You will get a notification when a new question is posted on your Google My Business profile.
Local searches and “near me” searches conducted by customers on mobile phones are more important than ever. Google’s Questions & Answers feature is a valuable new resource that will allow you to interact with potential customers at the moment they are searching for a business like yours.
What do customers find when they search for your business? Get a free Local Search Report from Manta to see ALL of your business’ online listings.
source
https://southfloridareview.com/listings/rons-speedy-delivery/
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