Using LinkedIn for Recruiting…and Influence Marketing

Most likely you probably use LinkedIn as a part of your recruiting strategy whether you are posting jobs or proactively looking for candidates. But are you using LinkedIn as an effective channel for your influence marketing strategy?

LinkedIn currently boasts having over 60 million registered users. That is a pretty large number. Here are a few ideas to capitalize on your LinkedIn presence with your company’s influence marketing strategy in mind:

• Conduct advanced searches with different keywords to identify potential key influencers and industry experts. Check out an older post for more ideas on identifying your influencers.
  • There are a few consulting firms that can help you find your target influencers as well. If you have embraced the influence marketing strategy to the fullest extent, check out Influence50.
• Use LinkedIn as a social networking tool to begin building relationships with your influencers by sharing relevant content.
• Identify groups on LinkedIn that apply directly to your space and join the conversation.
  • For example, if your company sells technology into the higher education space, investigate the EDUCAUSE and Higher Education Management groups.
  • Remember to always use LinkedIn groups to show your thought leadership, rather than provide your 30-second elevator pitch.
• If a group does not exist, create one and invite industry leaders to participate in the discussion. The point it to add value here, not sell software. Be sure that you are able to supply educational content, moderate discussions, and encourage participation to ensure your group is a success.

If you are interested in learning more about LinkedIn and recruiting, please visit my colleague Diana Wining’s blog for more insights on how OpenView Venture Partners provides recruiting support to our expansion stage portfolio companies.