How Not to Use Linkedin

With little over 15 years, social media has redefined the entire concept of marketing. However, selling products on social networking platform like Linkedin can be a bit difficult for marketers who are mostly accustomed to the traditional style of marketing.

Unlike other social media sites, Linkedin totally focuses on bringing all the professionals from across the globe together. It has successfully cultivated a business environment by giving each professional a unique opportunity to explore different commercial avenues. A strong Linkedin strategy for brands can turn things around for them. This social networking site has ample of prospects to create a new set of buyers.

According to different studies, almost 80% of the marketers take the help of Linkedin marketing strategies to generate leads and to sell their products. With over 5 million users, it has certainly become one of the most sought-after professional networking sites.

With the new introduction every day on Linkedin, the marketers are finding it tough to keep up with the pace. To take advantage of this platform one has to pay close attention and learn what exactly to do to create a sensational impact. A marketer needs to understand that the selling strategy on Linkedin should be very different, as it differs completely from the other social networking sites. The marketers should have a different approach while connecting with anyone on this platform.

Before knowing how not to use Linkedin for social selling, one must first understand the actual importance of this social networking site. Linkedin is all about professional talks, and the selling methods should also match the main concept of this platform. From the interaction with customers to sending emails to prospective clients, everything should reflect high-end professionalism on this platform.

To excel on this platform here are 6 things you must avoid doing on Linkedin:-

Being too stern

Linkedin might be very different from the other social networking sites, but it is all about communicating. While selling a product on this platform, a marketer often forgets to add a little personal touch, making the pitch sound too stern and impersonal.

The ability to create a personal bonding with the customers or clients results in epic failure of high-end Linkedin selling strategy. It is fine to sound professional but trying to simply sell a product without creating a relationship with the buyer is a strict no for any marketers.

Not checking the Linkedin page of the potential lead

You cannot sell your product to anyone and everyone. You must have a targeted audience who would be interested to buy your product right? Most of the marketers fail to understand this simple point. The general tendency of any marketer is to send bulk emails to each of the Linkedin connections. Are they looking for your product? Will they be interested to answer back? You should try to find answers to all these questions.

The best a marketer should do is, check out the Linkedin page of the targeted audience to convert them into a loyal customer. This social networking page conveys a lot about a person.

Posting irrelevant contents

Your customers will connect with your brand only when they will understand your brand. Sharing your thoughts on political and religious matters will not bring you any leads or customers.

Most of the people posts about their weekend plans, family photographs or even their thoughts on upcoming events and all, on the social networking sites including Linkedin. They often forget that a professional networking site do not have any place for all these personal stuff; it in fact, can bring down the professional image of a brand.

This is one of the major mistakes you should never do on Linkedin.

Sending repetitive emails

How do you like when you get repeated calls from some mobile company’s customer care department? You either block them or activate your ‘do not disturb’ feature right? Same goes for emails too. At times, getting the same email over and over again can be a bit disturbing.

Bulk mailing is a very good idea to sell products, but you should know the time frame and the maximum limit. A marketer never backs out from shooting continuous emails to the same set of customers. This can display a poor social media sales strategy.

Not joining any group discussions

Continuous connectivity with the people on any of the social networking sites is the key to major success. You need to stay connected and active to let people know about your brand. Grabbing the opportunity to participate in the group discussion should be seen by any brand as a chance to showcase their product in front of hundreds of participants.

Most of the businesses ignore the group discussions stating it as a waste of time. It depends on your perception of how you see things. Few marketers will just avoid it and follow the normal mailing tricks and those who are willing to create an impact on Linkedin will take this opportunity and convert leads out of it.

Not updating enough about your brand

One of the worst things to be avoided on Linkedin is leaving the connection in dark. After creating your profile on this professional networking site, you must keep on updating the 'about' section of your brand and product. Disappearing all of a sudden will leave your connections baffled.

It is always encouraging to stay connected with all your contacts. Focusing on growing the network is a great idea but you need to nurture them continuously as well. Abandoning connections will not act in your favor in bringing your leads, business partnership or sales.

Don’t just restrict yourself to only updating about your brand, break the barriers by wishing your connections on their birthdays, work anniversaries and even commenting personally on their posts. This is a highly recommended Linkedin strategy to portray a brand in a grand way.

Linkedin is a fine blend of ‘professionalism’ and ‘communication’. While drafting your sales pitch for the available customers on this professional networking site don’t forget to be a little social as well. It will not only bring you more leads but will also add more value to your brand.