How would you like to be able to create leads and prospects for whatever it is that you sell almost instantly? How would you like to have prospective customers and clients finding you and asking to buy your product or your service without you ever having to lift a finger, do any follow up, or yet another sales presentation? What I’m really asking is this: How would you like to have a ready audience already pre-sold on you and your products and services? If this sounds too good to be true, you don’t really understand the amazing power of LinkedIn. If you know the steps, you can do this on LinkedIn, actually fairly easily. So, what about it? Want to know how you too can build a smashing business on LinkedIn? It’s very simple, and there are only five steps.

First off you need to have a polished profile that is not only complete, but that sells you in advance. Basically, your profile (especially the summary) is your sales letter for you and your business on LinkedIn.

Next, you’re going to have to create unique, valuable content aimed at your target audience on LinkedIn. By content I mean blog posts for LinkedIn pulse, status updates, and the like. You might want a short report accessible through a squeeze page that you can link to so you can build a list of interested followers.

Of course, none of this will matter if you’re not connected with anyone! So, you’ll need to consistently build your network. On LinkedIn, you can be connected to up to 30,000 people. Surely out of that many you can find enough customers, clients, and referral partners to build a business out of!

You’ll want to substantiate who you are and what you sell through real recommendations. Real, as in not fake, by the way! LinkedIn is a quality platform, and quality always wins out!

And finally, you’re going to have to stay on top of your industry’s announcements and news. After all, you want people to see you as a thought leader, right? So, lead!

So to summarize:

1. Create a polished profile.
2. Create unique, valuable content.
3. Build your network. Make connecting with people in your target market an everyday activity.
4. Get recommendations from past clients and those who have experience with your business.
5. Lead by staying on top of and engage with industry news.

Have questions? Let me know in the comments below!