5 Reasons You Should be on LinkedIn

What is LinkedIn? If you don't already know, LinkedIn is a social networking site designed specifically for the business community. The goal of the site is to allow registered members to establish and document networks of people they know and trust professionally. Every second, two people join LinkedIn. The site now allows teenagers to create a LinkedIn account.

So why should you be on LinkedIn? Here are five reasons why you should have a personal, professional looking, LinkedIn page.

1. It's the new rolodex of contacts!

(If you're too young to know what rolodex is click here.) LinkedIn is a fantastic digital tool to keep in contact with people you know and meet professionally. Use this site to connect with present and past people you've done work with. Connect with people after you meet at networking events, business functions or when you get a new client. It's one of the best ways to manage your network.

2. Helps with your brand

Having a LinkedIn page displays all of your work & volunteer history, skill sets, projects and more. Anything you do that points to your brand will help with brand awareness.

3. It can lead to business leads

LinkedIn is responsible for 80% of business to business (B2B) leads from social media. Having a completed and active profile can help with those leads. LinkedIn is all about business. A place to talk about your business, sell your business and showcase what you do and can offer.

4. Job leads - attracting new talent or showcasing yours

I hear this from people all the time, "I don't need LinkedIn, I'm not looking for a job." True, if you're not looking for a job, but when you are looking for a job, that's not the time to start building your connections. Build them now and create your platform before you need one. LinkedIn is also a great resource to find new talent to work at your business. It's also helpful to review applicant's LinkedIn profiles and what their peers have to say about them.

5. It can help your overall rank on Google

The more platforms you have your name and the name of your brand with your identified keywords, the more it's going to help you on Google searches and in the rankings. Your business website should link to your professional LinkedIn site under the contacts page and/or should link to your business LinkedIn page if you have one.

Now that you're on board, connect with me on LinkedIn - CLICK HERE.

Want to learn more about how your LinkedIn page should look or how to get started? Click here to read about the 8 things you should do on LinkedIn now.