10 ways LinkedIn can help PR pros

You send pitches, tweet, write press releases and employ lots of other tactics to promote your clients. But do you use LinkedIn? Here’s how the social network for professionals can make your job easier.

When I speak with people, I learn that they are using LinkedIn primarily to connect and network with their contacts, but there are many more ways you can use the social network.

You can build your profile, gain valuable industry insights that can make you look sharp in front of clients, or get access to industry experts/third-party commentators.

Here are some quick tips on how to make the most of LinkedIn:

1. Claim your URL

It’s a no-brainer that people are finding you through search engines. These days, your LinkedIn profile is often one of the first ways people find and learn about you. Claiming your own URL (such as http://www.linkedin.com/in/yourname) increases your chances of appearing on top search engine rankings. You can do this by editing your profile settings and customizing your public profile URL. If you have a popular name that’s already taken, you can do lastnamefirstname.

2. Build your contacts

To read the full story, log in.
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today

Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.