Using LinkedIn for your Small Business

Today, a LinkedIn profile acts as a business card and the content works as a great networking tool. Although, LinkedIn is a social platform, it’s unique because it’s used more as a publishing channel, as opposed to a sales channel for promoting offers and coupons. It focuses more on the foundation of a business and it’s credentials. But, do you know the rules for using LinkedIn for your small business? If used correctly, LinkedIn can help you reach your small business goals by expanding your network with key contacts and builds your credibility with content.

LinkedIn is effective for almost any type of business, however it’s especially effective for small businesses offering personal services like: financial services, spas, tutoring, real estate, photography, law, daycares, fitness, physicians, medical centres, funeral homes, etc. This is the ideal tool to showcase your credentials. The majority of prospective customers believe online reputation is especially important for businesses offering work related to health, well-being, childcare, and financial services.

Create a LinkedIn page

Signing up for LinkedIn is free! When creating your company page, highlight your services, leaders and employees to amplify your credibility. Connect with groups and local networks in similar industries or business goals.

Use your personal page and small business page as a pay-per-click or SEO campaign

Every small business should include a marketing strategy for search engine optimization. Ensure that your headline contains keywords and terms that increase your findability. The summary or job descriptions is a great place to tuck this sort of content. Run a PPC campaign on both your personal and business page to boost your opportunity for appearing in search engine results.

Blog on LinkedIn

Again, this idea goes back to optimizing your content for SEO purposes. Extend your reach to a greater audience by sharing these blog posts across social platforms.

Endorsements and Recommendations

Furthermore, positive endorsements and recommendations build your small business reputation with the ability to inspire trust in people. Before they even make a purchase from you. Recommendations through LinkedIn are like referrals, a quicker and more widespread virtual version of word-of-mouth.

LinkedIn may seem a little tricky to get a hang of. The key is to embrace the unique and professional nature of this social channel. Keep in mind that the content you would typically share on Facebook or Twitter would likely be different on this platform. Navigate through LinkedIn and get familiar with other successful business pages. Take note of tone and language used in their content when creating your content. Remember to keep it consistent, professional and of course intriguing for your audience.

How do I manage all of my Business Directory Updates?

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BEFORE YOU START to update one of your business directory listings, check them all. When listing info is incorrect it is usually due to human error, or contact info change like moving to a new office, or getting a new phone number etc. This means the error is more than likely on other listings as well.

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Step 1: Compare each directory listing against your profile.

• Go through all your directory listings, line by line, and compare the info to your company profile (contact info, and assets).
• Look for any errors, or discrepancies between the listing and your company profile.
  • Incorrect contact information: Address, Phone Number, Email, etc.
  • Outdated imagery: Promotional materials, logo’s, etc.
  • Broken links: Website, social media, etc.

Pro Tip: Use a free software like Airi to do this for you! She never blinks, and won’t miss a thing.

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Step 2: Take Note of all Errors in a Doc.

Create a document (or Google Doc) and write down each error, and discrepancy you discover.

• Directory Listing 1 URL: www.directory1.com/mylisting
• Error: (info found on directory)
  • Update: (info that should be on directory)

Note: Directory updates can take a while to publish if you do not have login access. By taking note of all errors in a document, you have something to reference when checking the status of your updates.  

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Step 3: Review Directory Assets.  

After all errors are noted, take a few minutes to review the assets used on each directory.

• Is the directory displaying an old version of your logo?
• Do you have new product or service images to add?
• Does the directory offer the addition of extra assets? (videos, menu’s etc)

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Step 4: Submit and Complete Directory Updates.  

Every Business Directory has a different process for submitting listing updates. If possible, login and make the changes yourself immediately. If not, suggest an edit as a “user” or through the directory’s update process. Site moderators will review your submission and make the change if they feel it is accurate. If you are making a big change (address or email or phone number) it may take a few tries, as site moderators want to make sure the request is legitimate before changing a business’ contact information.

How do I get my Business listed on Apple Maps?

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BEFORE YOU START: To create an Apple Maps business listing you need an apple ID. Once you have an apple ID for your business, you can begin to create your business listing!

Create an Apple ID for your company:

• Go to Apple.com and create a company Apple ID
• Enter company email
• Create / confirm temporary password
• Enter first name, last name, and birthday
• Select and answer 3 security questions
• Select country
• Enter CAPTCHA -> Continue
• Find the confirmation email and enter the verification code to confirm your company Apple ID

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Step 1: Store contact info, product descriptions, and marketing materials in a single document.

Take the time to do this once, as a result, you will save hours of searching overtime. Most notably, you should have everything in one place, so you can easily share accurate – up to date – assets with coworkers and employees.

Pro Tip: Use a Google Doc to store, and share your company info and assets. Check out Airi’s Company Info Doc.

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Step 2: Go to Apple Maps.

• Login with your new company Apple ID (email and password).
• Select your language preference.
• Select add my business.
• Read and agree to the terms of service.

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Step 3: Add your Business.

• Search for your company, near your city.
• Select add a new place.
• Choose place status. 
• Enter country. 
• Choose primary, and two alternative categories. 
• Enter phone number.
• Do you accept Apple Pay? (Yes or No).
• Continue

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Step 4: Select Verify Later.

This will allow you to skip the verification process and finish adding your account details. 

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Step 5: Complete your Apple Maps Profile.

• Enter full business address.
• Move the map PIN to the front door of your building.
• Enter operating hours.
• Add website and social URL’s.
• Continue. 

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Step 6: Respond to Apple’s Alert.

Respond to alert: “Answer a call” Coordinate a verification call from Apple to your business. Apple will ask that you prompt an automated call to your business, write down a pin number and enter it online to confirm your location.

• Call your location to ensure someone will be available to answer Apple’s verification call.
• Instruct the individual to stay near the phone, and to write down the PIN Apple provides.
• Prompt the verification call, wait 5 minutes, and call back to retrieve the PIN.
• Enter PIN to confirm your location / phone number.
• Note: any remaining alerts from apple will not hinder publication.

How do I make a 411 Business Listing?

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BEFORE YOU START: to create your 411 business listing, know it is free to create, but not to manage. If you wish to login and respond to reviews, contact 411 through their advertising center. 

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Step 1: Submit your Company Info to 411.ca  

• Enter your Company Phone Number
• Add Business Details:
  • Business Name
  • Business Address
  • City
  • Primary Business Category
• Add Personal Contact Info
  • First Name.
  • Last Name.
  • Phone Number.
  • Email Address.
  • Click “Yes, I agree”

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Step 2: Chat with 411 to complete & publish your listing.

• A 411 moderator will call your personal contact number to review and verify your information. 
• Within 10 days your business listing will be published on 411. 
• Reminder: To login to your listing and respond to reviews contact 411 through their advertising center.

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Step 3: Claim your 411 Business Listing.

Once your listing has been reviewed by moderators and published, you have the opportunity to claim & manage your listing.

• Search for and Select your company through 411 search.
• Click “Are you the owner of this business? Click here.” – you will only see this message if the listing is unclaimed.
• Enter your personal contact details once more, and submit.
• 411 moderators will be in touch to verify the claim of this listing. “We just need to confirm your details over the phone. We’ll be in touch within 10 business days.”

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Step 4: Update your 411 Business Listing.

If you business has an upgraded your account, get login access to the listing, and update it directly. This will save you from the time of having moderators review & publish the change, By logging in your changes will update immediately.

• Search for and select your company through 411 search bar on the homepage.
• Click the Green Edit button beside “Notice incorrect or missing info?” – usually near the logo.
• Add any missing details, and update any incorrect info.
  • Business email
  • Company Website
  • Business address
  • Company phone number
  • Business Description
  • Categories
  • Features
  • Languages
  • Business Hours
  • Certifications and Associations
  • Brands
  • Ways to Pay
  • Parking Details
  • Accessibility & Amenities

Do It Yourself Local SEO For The Small Business Owner

Learn How To Rank In The Search Engines As a Small Business Following This Step by Step Course.

Do you want to learn how to rank your business higher in Google Search?

Do you own a small business?

Do you just want to do the work on your own? 

This is the perfect course for you.

I've created a step-by-step course that walks you through everything you need to know about boosting your visibility in the Google local map pack.

In August of 2015 Google changed the "local 7 pack" into the "local 3 pack".

It's now more important than ever to be working on Local Search Optimization for your business.

Only 3 businesses are now shown within the local business pack when typical "service + city" terms are used in Google search.

In this course I walk you through the basics of:

• Setting up your website for local search
• Setting up your Google+ business page
• Adding your business to important website directories such as Yelp
• Setting up basic social media profiles such as Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn for business.
• I walk you through several tools that can be used for tracking your rankings and auditing your business for search.
• I show you the importance of content and how to optimize it for your business
• I provide ways to generate more reviews for your business on Google, Yelp and others.
• I show you some other websites you can use to generate new clients for your business.

If you've been struggling with SEO for many years as a local business, this is the course for you!

What are the requirements?

• You will need a basic website built with either Wordpress, Squarespace or another easy to use content management system
• A willingness to learn, implement, read and take consistent action

What am I going to get from this course?

• Understand what Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is
• The Basics of setting up a small business website with Wordpress or Squarespace
• The importance of having a mobile friendly website
• How to setup and use Google+ for Business
• You will understand what important sites you should list your business on
• The importance of building business profiles across the internet
• Basic elements of on-page and off-page SEO
• How to outsource content writing for your website
• How to get more reviews for your Google business page

Who is the target audience?

• Small businesses who are willing to put in the work to rank locally
• Those who are interested in dominating the search results for their local city
• If you are a business owner that lacks time to take action, this course might not be for you but it will help you understand the concepts of local SEO if you are unable to implement.