How to Grow Your Business With LinkedIn

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Since its launch in 2003, LinkedIn’s growth has skyrocketed, with over 400 million users worldwide. But LinkedIn isn’t like all the other social media platforms out there. It’s not where we go to post our latest vacation photos or to reconnect with an old friend, but rather where we go to connect with colleagues and to scout out potential job opportunities. LinkedIn is all about professional networking, and it’s one of the best tools out there.

Growth for your business can mean many things. You may be looking to grow your team by hiring a new employee or maybe you’re aiming to build a greater following on your LinkedIn company page. Whatever your goal, LinkedIn is a tool that should not be ignored. With a little practice and commitment, it can become one of your best means of professional networking. Here are some tips to follow:

1. Complete your profile or company page. To the best of your ability, make sure your LinkedIn profile and LinkedIn company page are completely filled out. It may take a little extra time and effort initially, but in the long run, you will see results. People come to LinkedIn to learn information, and you have to offer it if you want to stay in the lead. It’s important to also post a profile photo or a company logo. No one will want to follow you if they don’t know who you are. Plus, plain text on a page is always a little bit boring.

2. Join groups. LinkedIn groups are a place for professionals in the same industry or with similar interests to share content, have conversations and meet new contacts. Whatever type of group you’re looking for, it’s almost certain to exist. If it doesn’t, start your own! It’s just one more way to get your name out there.

3. Post strong content and post it often. People need a reason to follow you and your business. If your LinkedIn account is simply sitting stagnant with zero activity, your followers will slowly dwindle. Seek out or create fresh content and post it often. We post daily, but if that doesn’t work for you, find a timely routine that will.

4. Give to get. In order to reap the benefits, it takes a little bit of giving back. By taking part in conversations and applauding the accomplishments of others, you are giving. Eventually, it’ll come back around.

5. Have patience. Just like any social media platform, you can’t build an army of honest and loyal followers overnight. It takes time, consistency, and, most of all, patience. But don’t give up! Schedule LinkedIn networking into your daily calendar just as you would any other appointment. Even if it’s just 15 minutes! A little bit every day goes a long way.

LinkedIn can be your new best friend. It’s time to take advantage of it for all you can.

New Year’s Resolutions for the Go-Getter

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We’ve all been there.

It’s New Year’s Eve, and the question of the evening is being passed around the dinner table. What is your New Year’s resolution? It’s almost your turn, but what are you going to say? Travel more, workout daily, save money, be happy… While we would all love to accomplish each and every one of those and then some, maybe you are looking to do something truly off the charts this year. Something that will really alter the direction of your everyday life.

Here are six resolutions for 2016 that may make this year the most productive and satisfying yet.

  1. Spread your skills. Continue learning, even outside of your comfort zone. If you’re skilled in the technical side, learn a bit about the business side. If you have an interest in something, take a class. Try it out. Spread your skills. As one of the smartest men to ever live once said, once you stop learning, you start dying. Thanks for the push, Albert Einstein.
  2. Get involved. You probably heard this statement many times throughout your academic years, and, well, the same holds true now. Through involvement in various groups and organizations, your network circle expounds. Plus, it’s nice to have a little structure in your probably very busy life, like weekly brunches or monthly book clubs.
  3. Read more. Whether it’s news articles every morning over coffee or a novel at night before bed, reading goes hand-in-hand with learning. Also, the more you read, the better of a writer you become, and writing, no matter what industry you’re in, is a vital skill for every go-getter.
  4. Learn from your network. It’s almost common knowledge nowadays that networking is a vital part of your professional life. It’s also a skill, which means you can always improve. This year, practice networking. Set some time aside on a weekly basis to learn the tools at your fingertips. Not only will you learn new features of networking itself, but you may also learn a thing or two from the people in your network.
  5. Position yourself to move up in your career. This may be your loftiest goal and it may take longer than one year, but always be on the lookout for that next career opportunity. Whatever the “next” step is for you, plan for it accordingly. Set that foundation so that you are prepared for when it comes along… and it will.
  6. Believe in yourself. Do you wake up in the morning doubting yourself? Do you allow others to form opinions about you? 2016 is the year to break this habit. Don’t tell yourself “no” or “I can’t do this.” You can. It’s time to be proud of your talents and show confidence in your abilities. Not only can this one simple change alter your everyday mindset, it can affect nearly every aspect of your life for the better.

Happy 2016 to you all and best of wishes in the New Year! Go get ’em.

Tis the Season to Step Up Your Game: How to End the Year on a Positive Note

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December. The month of holiday cheer, endless celebrations … and a serious lack of motivation in the workplace. It seems as soon as December hits, many people slowly begin to fade into vacation mode, working fewer hours, staying out later at night, losing sleep, and falling short in productivity. Whether it’s the joy and excitement of the season or the stress of the chaos, if you’re struggling to find the effort to put into your workday, you’re not alone.

We believe in ending the year strong, and though it may be easier said than done, there are many rhymes and reasons why stepping up your game in December will make for a more enjoyable holiday season and a more profitable New Year. Here are our tried and true tips.

  1. Don’t escape. Many people will check out of work early to get ready for an evening event, or take a Friday off to conquer the mall. As much as you’re tempted, don’t. By sticking to a normal work schedule, productivity will come easier. And when 5pm rolls around, it will feel all the more rewarding knowing that you put in a full workday.
  2. Make a list and stay on pace. December is filled with busy schedules and exciting events, all of which make for easy distractions. At the beginning of each day, take a few minutes to create a list of the tasks you need to finish before 5pm. List them in order of importance, with the largest projects at the top. When you finish a task, check it off, and take a five-minute break. You’ll come back to your desk with a refreshed mind, a feeling of confidence, and one less thing to do.
  3. Prepare and prioritize. No one wants to spend their holiday vacation dreaming of looming deadlines. If you have a project due at the beginning of January, accomplish it before you leave the office for the holidays. Not only will it make your return in the New Year less stressful, it will allow you to truly unplug from work and enjoy your time away.
  4. Set boundaries. When you’re at work, work. When you’re at home celebrating the holidays with your family, do just that. Converse and laugh, eat and drink. By making sure work gets done during those set hours, the more you can be fully present in the other areas of life.
  5. Check out when it’s time. When it comes time to wrap things up and head out for the holiday, do so properly. Let the people in your network know you will be out of the office, and give them a back-up way to contact you if needed. Make sure all loose ends are tied up, and finally, clean and organize your desk so you have a blank slate to come back to in January. After all, the New Year is all about a fresh start.

So, as much as we all love the anticipation and joy that December brings, by continuing to go strong at work all the way until the final hour, you win the game before it even begins.