Are You Using LinkedIn? Here's Some Tips.

If you’re like most of us, you’re probably focusing most of your social media marketing efforts in Facbook and Twitter… but, don’t forget about LinkedIn. Too often it’s left on the backburner.

There are a lot of really cool tools within LinkedIn you can use to grow your real estate business. Here are just a few things you can do to gain more referrals, more traffic to your website/blog, and increase your overall exposure.

SEO Your Profile. I’m sure there are terms you’d like to be known for; such as “San Diego buyer’s agent”. Well, use them in your profile. LinkedIn is highly indexed by Google, Bing, and Yahoo. So, optimize your profile to get found by more people.

Use OpenLink. As you know, LinkedIn only allows you to send messages to people you’re directly connect. However, there is a way to message people you’re not linked to using OpenLink. You just have to be willing to receive messages from other OpenLink members, who you may not be directly linked to. Your can learn more about OpenLink here.

Join Groups. There are thousands of groups that can help you. Groups that share social media and real estate marketing tips, discuss various real estate topics, and even a group to exchange referrals among other agents and brokers throughout world.

Use Company Buzz. CompanyBuzz is an application you add to your LinkedIn account that allows you to track what people are saying about your company and other related topics on Twitter and LinkedIn. This is a great way to engage with the public on various topics. Just install the application and customize your topics to view tweets, trends, and top keywords. You can find it here.

Always, always review the Network Updates. You can find these on your LinkedIn homepage, and subscribe to receive them by email too. Network Updates are kind of like your Facebook news feed. You’ll want to check these regularly for a quick snapshot of what’s going on in your network; job changes (hint, possibly moving too?!), travel updates, and more. Another great way to engage.

Export connections. LinkedIn provides you with a very simple way to export your connections. Just click on “Contacts,” “My Connections,” and then scroll down and click “Export Connections.” You have the option of either exporting as a .CSV or .VCF file. Keep your network updated with your regular newsletter.

Link your Twitter account. Share your LinkedIn status updates on Twitter, and vice versa. This can easily be edited within the Edit Profile area.

LinkedIn Answers. LinkedIn Answers offers you great opportunity share your expertise and insight, as well as link to blog posts, you’ve created to help to answer other people’s questions. When you’re on the question’s page, click “Share This” beneath the question, and you’ll have the option to share the question via LinkedIn message with up to 200 of your connections.