Page 14 - KZN Business Sense 8.5

USING LINKEDIN TO GENERATE MORE BUSINESS

Andy Gwynn, LinkedIn consultant, ■ What is the main value you
trainer and speaker have got from dealing with us?
■ Why specifically would you
ost people have heard of recommend us?
the on-line networking
Mplatform, used by THINK WIDER!
businesses and professionals, Where else can you be using these
called LinkedIn. I know this testimonials? In your quotes, your
because there are now over 9.5 other marketing, before a sales call?
million personal profiles in South What about video testimonials?
Africa alone and over 800 million Have a look at this eight-minute
globally! There has also been a interview with Marlene Powell– my
massive explosion of usage since South African business coach client.
Covid. It is recognised that, with www.youtube.com/
LinkedIn, your ability to find watch?v=DQ7jpiULY4U
and connect with whoever you
want in the world is now greater I have, in the files section of my
than it has ever been. You know free Facebook group, a heap of
that people source contacts ■ Your banner might share common interests build credibility, is to endorse the resources to help you even more
through word-of-mouth referral. ■ Your photo with and this is all about building people you know you genuinely with this, which we will also delve
How many times have you ■ Your name relationships with others. can. The ‘Law of Reciprocity’ says into in future articles. You can
recommended your lawyer or web ■ Your headline One section I often hear people they will tend to endorse you back. join the group here:
designer? How many times have ■ Your ‘About’ section say they don’t value is the ‘skills’ Where I will invest more time is www.facebook.com/groups/
you had business referred to you ■ Your ‘Experience’ sections section. You may have had people in the ‘recommendations’ section. linkedinmasterywithandy
through people you know? you don’t even know endorse you! Recommendations /testimonials
Some of the other sections are are one of the most underutilised Start utilising LinkedIn more
So, following on from my first So why not think creatively and list effectively and set yourself apart
two articles about why you should self-explanatory such as: education, the skills that you want to be found marketing strategies out there. We from your competition! 
volunteering, publications,
be using LinkedIn and the two for when we people are searching know that third party testimony
key sides to LinkedIn – your organisations and interests. on LinkedIn? sells but there is a way to capture
profile and your strategy – let’s Although, remember my rule – if meaningful and powerful @andygwynn
continue to ‘power up’ your they are there then use them to When a client changed some of recommendations.
serve you. We all have a publication his skills from the usual leadership,
profile. So that you can: Most people will give you ‘fluffy’
in us – a blog, post, article, tips, management etc. to industrial
■ Get found document etc. that you can adapt. workwear, sanitation equipment testimonials. Try asking these SCAN
questions, to help them focus on
■ Give value to your reader Think of the organisations that (the things they we selling) he got tangible results that will resonate QR CODE
■ Prove your credibility you belong to, even if they are more views and endorsements! with your readers. TO SEE
We have already covered the six more personal than business The easiest (and most congruent) ■ What specifically made you VIDEO
key starting points: related. You never know who you way to gain endorsements and to decide to do business with us?

Dube
TradePort The city of Durban
0 1 and King (eThekwini Municipality)
0 0 Shaka is South Africa’s
1 International second most important
Airport - 60- economic region
0 year Master
11 11 Plan - driving

growth of Extensive first-world
01 aerotropolis, road, rail, sea and air
1 or airport city
1
1 0 0 0
1 01
01
00
1 1 0 00
0 0 11 1
1 1
0 Rated in top 5
0 0 11 1 1 0 ‘Quality of Living’
BUY LOCAL 11 1 01 1 0 Mercer Consulting in
cities in Africa and
Middle East by
INVEST LOCAL 1 1 0 1 11 2015
1
0
1
0
1
1 0 0 1 1 1 Named one of the
0 11 0 0 New 7 Wonders Cities
Let’s come together and heal as a nation. 0 0 11 1 by the Swiss-based
Let’s focus on renewing, restoring and rebuilding successful partnerships 11 1 New 7 Wonders
and investment opportunities so we can get back to promoting our city as 0 11 Foundation in 2014
the ideal destination for business and pleasure to the rest of the world. 1 1
Your support coupled with our world-class infrastructure, innovative 1 0 1 1 1
business environment and ever evolving investment opportunities, means 1 0 0 01
we can get back to ‘connecting continents’ in no time. 1
0 3 00
11 0 1
Tel: +27 31 311 4227 0 11
Email: invest@durban.gov.za 11
web: invest.durban
1
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