LinkedIn: Just a Habit You're Afraid to Quit?
ROI...ROI...we hear a lot about it. But unless you are a marketing neophyte, you probably know by now that traditional ROI (Return on Investment) differs greatly from the "new" ROI (Return on Influence).
Which raises the question: how can you know if your LinkedIn efforts are working? I've heard people say, "I have no idea what I'm getting from LinkedIn. I'm just afraid to stop because everyone says you have to be there."
Now, c'mon...what kind of new-fangled marketing plan is this?
First, you need to know why you're here. A few written goals will help you sort it all out. Are you a jobseeker? If so, are you seeking a new job, making a lateral move, or going for a promotion? Are you a business owner? If so, are you looking for new business, trying to drive traffic to a URL, or trying to get your [insert: white paper, brochure, product announcement, etc.] into the hands of influencers?
Because LinkedIn is largely content-driven, the kind of content you create and share must support those goals. It's not enough to say, "I want new business." Dig deeper! Figure out who can help you reach your goals, and go after those individuals as connections, mentors, and influencers willing to share your content.
Viveka Von Rosen, author of LinkedIn Marketing: An Hour a Day, suggests getting a baseline on your progress by asking yourself these questions:
1. Are you getting business from LinkedIn?
2. What metrics are you using?
3. What baselines do you have to substantiate your ROI?
4. Are you getting business directly or indirectly?
5. Are you keeping notes regularly about where you leads are coming from?
6. Do you keep track of how many connections you have?
7. How visible are you?
8. Do you check weekly or monthly to see if you still show up on the first page on LinkedIn under your keywords?
9. Are you getting any business through groups?
10. Do you regularly check up and post in your groups?
11. When discussing return on financial investment, are you doing LinkedIn ads?
12. Are people even looking at your key words?
(Source: http://bit.ly/Sj10sm)
Some of these may apply to you, and some may not, but if you truly consider your answers, you may just discover the keys to a richer, fuller LinkedIn experience that actually brings results you can bank on.
Join Viveka Von Rosen, Chuck Hester and Neal Schaffer in an exclusive live Social Media Today Best Thinking webinar on "LinkedIn and your Brand: Are You Getting the Right Value." Register here for this Sept. 11 event.