Designed especially for professionals, LinkedIn is all about networking. You can connect with colleagues from your alma mater, past or current jobs and conferences or meet new people to add to your network. LinkedIn is not a mass marketing tool, but rather, a good place to build one-on-one relationships with customers, employers, suppliers, vendors, colleagues and industry leaders.
Free and Paid Features
Unlike other social networking sites, LinkedIn uses a subscription model for some features to generate revenue. The site offers premium functionality for a fee. When you subscribe, you get more tools for finding and reaching the right people even if they’re not in your network.
You can post your work history, Web site links and photo for free. You can also request connections, ask and answer questions, join groups and build your network for free.
How to Promote Your Business
Even though LinkedIn offers an exclusive community, you can get your company’s name noticed by key people in the industry by asking and answering forum questions. Because anyone may pose a question to the community and everyone has the option to respond, it’s a great way to expand your business network and show your expertise (even link to relevant information on your Web site).
LinkedIn can be a great way to find new business partners and ventures or position yourself as a thought leader in your industry.