This month's blog discusses the dos and don'ts of LinkedIn language. Whether it's news, networking or negotiation - it's not just about what you say, it's about how you say it.
Though the social media credentials of LinkedIn were much maligned by the Twitterati when they heard how much Microsoft had paid for it, Linkedin is a useful medium.
Though the social media credentials of LinkedIn were much maligned by the Twitterati when they heard how much Microsoft had paid for it, Linkedin is a useful medium.
It’s
great for unabashed professional networking. And it’s perfect for setting out
what your company does and what makes it different. However, it is a strange
beast which requires a certain style of writing.
So,
who’s getting it right on LinkedIn?
According
to LinkedIn, who’ve released their own top 20 list of the best company sites,
Coca Cola and IBM are examples of best practice - they’ve become go-to sites
for industry news, staff incentives, employee opinions and job vacancies. And
all using clear, concise copy.
However,
The Four Seasons Hotel made it into the top five by publishing a weekly caption
competition. While we’re sure this draws more consumer visits than a typical
company profile, it isn’t very businesslike. And that reveals one of the
dilemmas of business communications: how much should a company let its hair
down and have a bit of fun when going social?
 |
| Don't let your hair down too much |
The
problem with most social media is that it calls for companies to be as informal
as everybody else is online – and as garrulous. Sites such as Facebook and
Twitter rate the frequency with which users post, rather than their actual
content. But most businesses are fairly serious activities – with shareholders
to serve, employees to support and customers to satisfy. Do these groups really
want to see you messing about?
How
to speak LinkedInian
LinkedIn’s
tip is to treat your company profile like any piece of marketing material and
‘make
