If Facebook is the cool kid that always gets invited to the Friday night game and has a pick of at least three dates for prom, then Linkedin is... well, Jan Brady.
Don't get me wrong- I love Facebook. In fact, I was one of the first to embrace it- and steadfastly stood by it when My Space really came rolling into town. Facebook is an amazing channel for getting the word out to your clients and prospects. I often teach people how to create their Business Page on Facebook, as well as tricks on truly maximizing your marketing efforts. Facebook and I? Really good terms.
As for Linkedin, I couldn't tell you exactly when I signed up for it. I let my profile sit, unloved, for a substantially long time. I find this is the case for many, the more I talk to people.
Slowly, I started updating my profile- work history one day, my profile pic another. Then, I started joining groups such as my alumni network, groups for my industry and so forth. Suddenly, I started aligning myself with really good people. Before long, I'm networking with great, insightful people as well as prospective clients all over the country. I'm responding to inquiries in the Midwest from wedding professionals trying to build off season business. A colleague recommends a book on selling strategies? Don't mind if I do.
More importantly, I'm getting my name out there.
Then, I meet an Internet guru, whose business's success lies in her deft Internet research strategies. When she began speaking about Linkedin in her seminar, I sat up in my chair and paid attention because in my book, if you meet an Internet guru, you need to do everything online she's doing.
I come to find out that not only does she love Linkedin, she pays for an upgraded account.
Sold.
Linkedin has different benefits for different industries. Ultimately, Linkedin is not necessarily where you're going to find the wedding business. Brides are on Linkedin for their own business networking purposes while they sit on Facebook looking through your galleries and reading about how your events are going for the season.
With marketing, however, it's about the big picture. Yes, it's about sales, but it's also about being good at what you do and always being relevant. If you're a photographer, join some photography groups online and trade tips. Share new, innovative ideas. Be a resource to your industry.
Looking for some new faces to add to your company? Run filters through these groups for local talent. It's just as free as Craigslist, and you aren't bombarded with 600 emails.
So go ahead and join Linkedin- or, reactivate your poor, misunderstood account, and let it know that, once in awhile, you promise to sit with it in the cafeteria during lunch.
Until next time,
Meghan
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