With 100 million unique visiting members as of the fourth quarter of 2015, LinkedIn is a social network too powerful to ignore . Whether you’re a business owner wanting to build profitable connections within your sector or an entrepreneur seeking introductions for your startup, the potential of LinkedIn as a major introduction factory is undeniable. Companies are utilizing LinkedIn’s publishing platform to further distribute their content marketing efforts. Individuals are using LinkedIn to grow their thought leader status while networking with potential business connections. College graduates and entrepreneurs are using LinkedIn to grow their professional network while increasing their online digital footprint.
If you want to maximize the potential of your time on LinkedIn, it is imperative you understand the number of resources at your disposal. LinkedIn is so much more than just the social/career network you are first greeted with when you log in. There are now a myriad of tools built upon the LinkedIn interface. Integrating additional resources into your LinkedIn experience can help take your networking efforts to an entirely new level. If you’re ready to make this the year you double-down on LinkedIn as a powerful growth tool, following are a selection of add-on tools you’ll want to consider integrating into your networking efforts.
Conspire
Conspire helps you understand your best connections by connecting data in your email contacts and your LinkedIn network. Instead of randomly connecting with potential business contacts on LinkedIn, you can use Conspire to maximize the potential of those business relationships.
Bindr
The Bindr app lets you interact with all of your favourite social networking sites via one convenient dashboard. Features include cross-platform posting, image uploading, video posting, and social check-ins. You can even schedule your social media posts via the Bindr interface. Bindr works with social media platforms including LinkedIn, FourSquare, and Twitter.
LinkedIn Connected
Offered by LinkedIn, the LinkedIn Connected app lets you track changes in your recruitment network directly from your smartphone. You can monitor event reminders for your employees, receive alerts from prospective hires, or send relevant data to previously interviewed candidates.
Email Hunter
Email Hunter lets you hunt for email addresses of LinkedIn contacts. Whether you want to introduce yourself to a prospective business associate or connect with a mentor for your company, you can do so thanks to this handy email resource. Email Hunter is only available for Chrome users.
Recruiter Mobile
Offered by LinkedIn, the Recruiter Mobile app lets you make the most of your recruiting efforts regardless of your location. Whether you are networking at a conference, guest speaking at a social media presentation, or having coffee with business associates, you can instantly upload necessary contact information in seconds with this app. Features include LinkedIn member search, contact interaction via email, text, or phone, and project folder management. This app lets you screen potential employees, search for reviews from hiring managers, and observe profile updates for employees you are considering. Although this application has received less-than spectacular reviews for the current version, it is worth keeping on your radar as it is an official LinkedIn app that will hopefully see upcoming bug fixes.
Maintaining an awareness of terrific tools for LinkedIn can help you make the most of your networking time on this increasingly powerful network. From plugins to mobile apps, you can integrate numerous tools into your growth efforts. Will you be incorporating any of the above-listed resources into your LinkedIn growth plans this year?
