In our ever-changing world, some things remain constant. This is particularly true of successful professionals who tend to have Rolodexes filled with contact information on a large number of connected professionals. We use our Rolodexes to find resources, make connections and build our businesses. In fact, more than 90 percent of business comes from networking and referrals. Now, imagine being able to super-charge your traditional networking.
Social networks, such as LinkedIn, Plaxo and Twitter are changing the way professionals build relationships and transact business. Social networks are business tools not to be ignored. Based on trends, professionals must learn to embrace new tools. Otherwise they will find their competition gaining a distinct advantage.
Professional networking sites such as LinkedIn are growing by more than 1 million members each month. Today, there are more than 25 million members on LinkedIn world-wide – at least 64,900 of whom are in Kansas City. If you use a professional networking site, you could be just one connection away from a new client or a strategic relationship. On LinkedIn alone, the demographics of the typical user are strong: 46 percent are business decision-makers, their average age is 41 years, and their average household income is $109,000.
Here are just a few ways that you can use social networks for business:
Manage Your Online Image and Increase Your Visibility In a recent AC Nielsen report, 96 percent of people use the Web to conduct research before making a phone call, visiting a company, or deciding what to purchase. Social networking sites allow you to build your business profile and your brand online. When you spend time developing a profile explaining the benefits of working with you and back it up with solid recommendations from past employers, colleagues and clients – you immediately increase the level of trust with your prospects.
LinkedIn also helps you to improve your “Google Page Rank.” As a result, your product or service has a greater likelihood of being found online. Since LinkedIn profiles receive a fairly high Google ranking, your profile may appear higher than that of your Web site.
Enhanced Knowledge When used properly, social networks can enhance your knowledge by allowing you to tap into the collective wisdom of your network. For example, you can quickly obtain information or advice that might help you solve a business problem; research a company; seek insight on a company, product or service when developing a proposal; or even get “real” references on someone you’re considering to hire.
An Ever Expanding Rolodex Connecting is a basic human need. Humans by nature are social creatures. We have a need to connect based on our profession, interests or even by the college that we attended. For most of history, connections where limited to the geographic area in which people lived. Today, social networks allow us to connect with people who we know, re-connect with former classmates or colleagues, and help us find those who can best support us in achieving our goals.
As a professional, staying in place in our ever-changing world means falling behind. I encourage you to embrace this change by understanding how to build your virtual image, and grow and successfully manage your business relationships through social networking.
Be sure to read this column each month for tips on how to use LinkedIn and social networking to build your business.
Amy Hoppenrath is president of AH Marketing. She can be reached at
or (816)210-6224.
