Message Marketing - does it work?

Have you ever had someone connect with you on LinkedIn and then they immediately message you with "hey buy my stuff."

I'm like, I don't even know you yet, get out of my inbox. 

Or even when someone messages you all friendly trying to strike up a conversation. I'm like, dude! you're interupting me while I'm trying to work here. Go away. This isn't watercooler space.

It's considered bad form to do this and I've often seen others' posting in frustration about it. It feels spammy, disingenuous and, bottom line, that kind of "message marketing" doesn't usually work as it's very offputting.

I regret my decision to let you into my world, and I immediately just disconnect again.  

With that all said, LinkedIn can be a great place for bookkeepers to hang out.

In my experience, people on LinkedIn are usually happy to connect with others in their field, or in their region. But from there they just want to observe and socialize and get a sense of who you are and what you do before striking up any kind of conversation.

Here are 3 things that you can do to make the most of LinkedIn:

• Make a plan to deliver relevant content on a regular basis so that you show up in their feed as someone who offers valuable info.
• Comment thoughtfully and authentically on other people's posts when you have something to add. No selling, just value.
• Make sure your profile looks good. Use all the features. Have a professional photo.

There are a bunch of features available in a profile to make it stand out so that when people check you out because of that thoughtful comment you just made, it will be really clear who you help and the results you achieve.

One thing that I've done in the past is to find those people who claim to be LinkedIn experts helping others with LinkedIn, and see what their profile looks like for inspiration.

Here are 3 features for you to check out to make your profile zing:

• Name pronunciation audio recording
• The Featured section - what can you link to in your profile?
• Formatting - use the Unicode Text Converter to create headings and subheadings, and copy and paste symbols from Word

If LinkedIn is in one of your marketing strategies this year then utilise my advice above and have some fun with it.

As always, be social on social.

Stephanie

PS: Get in touch if you want to develop your marketing strategy and create a bookkeeping business that you love.