You Should Be Using LinkedIn

LinkedIn is one of the most beneficial social media tools out there for professionals. The site gives you the chance to connect with people you may not have met in person, either through mutual connections or through professional groups and message boards. It's also a great way for potential clients, customers and employees to learn more about you and your business. However, a lot of LinkedIn users never go further than creating a profile. This is the social media equivalent of ordering business cards, but never handing them out. 

LinkedIn has the potential to be a lot more than an online resume. If you use the networking tool the right way, you can make fruitful connections that will help you thrive going forward. 

Stay Up to Date
Outside of not having a LinkedIn account at all, the biggest mistake you can make is never updating your profile. Regularly go into your profile to add job duties and accomplishments. As Forbes points out, you can use your LinkedIn profile to share anything that doesn't make sense on a resume. This will have two positive effects on your presence on the site: One, you'll pop up on your connections' news feeds, helping them remember who you are down the road. Two, if you're currently employed, regularly updating your LinkedIn profile will prevent it from looking fishy if you one day decide to add something to your site. Even though updating your profile shouldn't be a red flag for your boss, the reality is that it can be: If you're doing it all the time, however, he or she won't assume you're looking to jump ship. 

Join Groups
LinkedIn is all about building connections and community. As a result, the social network has groups for every profession and specialty. Joining these groups won't just look good on your profile (although it will, in fact, look good on your profile), it will also give you an opportunity to talk with like-minded people. Knowing the people in your field can have a ton of benefits, from finding a mentor to gaining an employee to understanding your competition. Groups are also likely to post opportunities that could help you further your career. 

Personalize Your Connection Message
Whether or not you use the generic LinkedIn connection message depends on who you're connecting with. If you're adding a friend from college, it's probably fine: They know who you are, and aren't going to wonder why you're reaching out to them. The same holds true if it's a peer or close superior at work. However, if you're hoping to connect with experts in your field who you don't already know, you'll want to take some time to personalize the message. Use it as an opportunity to introduce yourself, and explain why you'd like to connect with them. Not only will this make them more likely to accept your request, it may encourage them to message you back, starting a dialogue. 

Make a Company Page
If you're starting a new business, having a LinkedIn company page can give you a huge boost in visibility. Although other social media sites can (and should) be used by businesses, LinkedIn is one of the only websites dedicated to professional information and discourse. By having a LinkedIn company page, you're giving clients and peers the chance to see what you're doing and why you're doing it. You can post about your business's latest accomplishments to keep your investors up-to-date, or to share news about discounts or expansions. LinkedIn also gives potential employees a way to research your company, so they can better understand your culture and mission. Make sure your page is created with search engine optimization practices in mind, so that people searching for your product or service will be pointed in your direction.