If you want to use social media to build leads and generate some powerful credibility then you should turn to LinkedIn Answers. This is particularly true if you work within a B2B medium, because no other networks offers the same focus on business.
That’s what LinkedIn is after all. A network of business professionals.
It doesn’t take a massive amount of time each day, and you can simplify the entire process using the RSS feed from LinkedIn. With a tight strategy to it, you can spend about 15-20 minutes each day and form some cialis solid networking.
First and foremost:
Find the categories where you have the most expertise, where you feel you can contribute the most. Each of those categories has a standard icon for the RSS feed. Subscribe to those feeds so that you receive them via email (or your favorite feed reader that you utilize).
Repeat the process for each of the categories where you want to engage people.
When you begin receiving feed updates, you can keep them organized in folders (within email or your feed reader) and check it before you get your day started in the morning. I’ve met some folks that prefer to do it in the evening hours but you’ll get the greatest benefit from answers in the morning – give people plenty of time to respond to your comments.
Don’t try to answer all the questions, but select or cherry-pick the ones that provide the most value and give you the most shine. After all, you’re trying to build leads and credibility. If you answer everything you’ll waste far too much time and you’ll just be “one of those guys” that answers everything – no one likes a know-it-all. Stick to a few here and there.
Your traction is going to vary. For some people this will work very well, for others hardly at all. At the very least, offering up your opinions and intelligent answers builds credibility and will help you meet interesting people within your field. Those people may not be perfect leads but they may generate leads through word of mouth.
If someone else has answered a questions, don’t be afraid to proactively follow up with the question or add to it if it’s applicable to the situation and you feel like you can add something. People appreciate all the information that is given, especially when it’s given freely.
There are many who question the B2B power of social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. While there is certainly potential within those channels to connect with other businesses, there is greater chance of success within LinkedIn – especially within the Answers section.
