The Socially Savvy Advisor + Website: Compliant Social Media for the Financial Industry

Chapter 12How Can We Use LinkedIn?

There's a reason LinkedIn is one of the top talked-about social networks for connecting with investors and growing relationships. LinkedIn is a virtual tradeshow. It's a place where you can mingle among others in your industry, build your brand, distribute relevant content, join specific groups and conversations, and build beneficial relationships.

When optimized and used efficiently, LinkedIn can be used to bring in more client relationships and job opportunities, to network with peers and industry leaders, to engage with existing clients, to add a more personal face to your business, and to offer a valuable offshoot to your website.

So, how do you filter through the fray of people and profiles to find those strategic connections and build your brand? That's what we'll be talking about in this chapter.

First, What Exactly is Linkedin?

LinkedIn is a business-oriented, profile-based social networking site connecting millions of people worldwide. Profiles are filled with job histories, educational backgrounds, recommendations, referrals, and even resumes. Your ability to network with relevant associates, clients, and leads is almost endless.

In February 2014, the platform reported more than 270 million registered users in more than 200 countries and territories (and more than 19 languages around the world). The financial services industry was reported as the second largest industry, with more than 2 million members in 2013. Statistics show that ...