Hello Stan,

Good question.  Speaking for the companies that I own, we are niche firms that operate within the healthcare vertical and our sales are generated via the “Linkedin” connections that lead us to a contract with a Physician-Hospital or Clinic group. WE obtain those contracts by working the connections for any and all that might have anything to do with our industry.  If utilized properly, “Linkedin” is one hell of a resource.
There is a Free group called “Cool Free Tools For Recruiting” on Linkedin and it is an open group.  Try here : http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Cool-free-tools-recruiting-3104747?trk=myg_ugrp_ovr  see if this works, otherwise go to Linkedin and look up the group and after joining, go through the archives and a wealth of info exists for free that will assist you in your quest.  I realize you are not a “recruiter” but, the info is jammed packed that details how to increase sales for ALL business’s that you speak about.
With best regards,
Dan R. Friesland, Founder-President Doctors With Dings® Inc

Dan – thanks for sharing your experience and suggestions. I am looking through the discussions in the Cool Free tools group. @dfriesland

@stanrobinson

I use LI and have built up my company’s online visibility.

Mostly, I use the groups. I have joined most of the Maine-based groups (I’d recommend joining local groups if you generate business locally), and a few industry groups.

If I targeted a certain vertical, like manufacturing or professional organizers, I’d probably join and participate in those groups, too.

I’ve also started using more of LI’s business pages, promoting some of our services. 

Stan, thanks for asking this question. I have not been able to figure out how to use LI effectively. @stanrobinson

Most small businesses don’t understand that networking is not selling. Networking is about establishing initial contacts through sharing and being helpful to others to see if they can lead to a further relationship, much like dating and courting. And LinkedIn is merely digital networking.  Since we lack the face to face ‘body language’ feedback with digital, our initial reactions must be validated. We have to build our brand or reputation slowly so we build trust.

First see if there is some mutual attraction and then take your further relationship building off LinkedIn either via a coffee meeting or a Skype talk.  You can’t overtly sell there just as you can’t walk up to someone at a social event and expect them to open up their wallet immediately.

LinkedIn is long term and has over the years afforded me with some deep, lasting personal and business relationships.  The later in both the form of collaborations as well as clients.

Mr. Yublosky @mikey hit it dead on, as well as Kim’s advice.
However, most of the group “Discussions” on LinkedIn appear to be nothing but promotions.

People post their ads and go to the next group and post their ad… and on and on.

This is not networking. Kim @moneyandrisk is right, in that it is annoying, irritating and quite frustrating to those that understand how it’s meant to be utilized.

Of course, since there are so many clueless people spamming the Discussion groups, most others have nothing to do with them. I suppose they post their promotions in the Discussion area because they know most people don’t read the Promotions.

Do they really think that other people are reading their ads?
(I’m not.)

I have used Linkedin to build contacts and join groups of interest.  I do not “sell” on these groups.  I have used them to post articles or ask questions that I feel would be relevant to the people in my groups.  This has worked out well and I have gained positive feedback on my posts.  In this way, I am using Linkedin to become established as someone active and knowledgeable in my field.

Good luck with your efforts!!

@davidblide  I’m interested to hear how your ads are performing. I took advantage of a free $50 credit from LinkedIn but after two weeks not a dime has been spent — no one is clicking on my ads! I think I have a decent handle on what a compelling ad should look like, and they are targeted to the right people…  I’m getting some impressions, just not clicks.  I did up the bid to get more impressions, but still no clicks.  Do LinkedIn ads actually work?  If others have had success, then I need reevaluate my targeting and message.

Has anybody here ever bough any of the LinkedIn info products like LinkedInfluence from Lewis Howes. These programs can be such a hit or miss sometimes.