Switchfast Blog: The Future of IT

LinkedIn Adds Additional Features that Help Small Businesses

Friday, June 17, 2011 by Michelle Hartley

LinkedIn has long been an effective networking resource for small and large businesses alike. To some companies, LinkedIn is where they showcase exactly what their business represents, others utilize it to find the best and brightest potential job candidates and still others use it to evaluate their competition. Now LinkedIn has added even more features to help small businesses efficiently network, advertise, and keep up with the latest in technology.

A few of the most notable add-ons and upgrades are:

LinkedIn Ads - Now businesses are able to target their audience even more efficiently with LinkedIn Ads. You can target text ads by job title, company name or LinkedIn group, greatly improving the chances that your ad is reaching the potential client base you desire. Entrepreneur.com's article "New LinkedIn Services Offer Networking Options for Small Businesses" notes "According to LinkedIn spokesperson Krista Canfield, reported click-through rates are as much as 3 or 4 times higher when the new targeting tools are used."

LinkedIn Skills - Keeping up to date with the latest technology is important in any industry. With LinkedIn Skills, you can see what skills are increasing or up-and-coming in your industry. The entrepreneur.com blog uses the example of mobile skills that are increasing in several industries. Mobile phones are quickly becoming more than just a device used to stay in contact with people. Some business men and women that travel frequently utilize their phone for almost any business related task. It will also be important to acknowledge potential job candidates that possess these new skills when you are looking to hire new employees.

LinkedIn Company Pages - With LinkedIn Company Pages, small businesses are able to showcase more than just their business objectives. For everything from photos of new products to endorsements, potential consumers can gain insight into your brand and message simply from looking at your LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn.com specifically states that "Company Pages present an opportunity to reveal the human side of your company." Furthermore, you can keep up to date with companies you are interested in or view what your competition is changing up.

Check out some of the new resources LinkedIn has to offer for yourself at LinkedIn.com.

Until next time -

Michelle Hartley

Switchfast Technologies
Chicago IT Support & Consulting
DC IT Support & Consulting
Outsourced Marketing Services