How to use LinkedIn if you are Business to Consumer

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Are you a landscaper, electrician, plumber, contractor, or in any other service-based industry?

Chances are you’ve heard the buzz about LinkedIn no longer being just used for recruitment. Instead it is also being used for sales and lead generation.

But not EVERY business can utilize LinkedIn in the same way.

If you are an ad agency or a business consultant, then you can use LinkedIn to find prospects and get sales.

But if you are a landscaper, electrician, plumber etc, you are going to have a hard time finding prospects on LinkedIn. It just doesn’t quite ‘mesh’ to connect with someone on LinkedIn and then ask them if they need any yard work done. LinkedIn is Business to Business.

So, what can you do if you’re in said field?

The answer is simple: create a Referral Partnership with related but different businesses.

If you’re a landscaper, make a referral network with stone suppliers, home builders, electricians, and others. Make agreements that you will refer business to each other.

Take it a step further and promote each other in your stores, website and email lists. If everyone in the partnership promotes each other it will be a worthwhile endeavor and an excellent source of new businesses for all.

It is particularly effective because of the power of ‘word of mouth’. When Business A promotes Business B to one of their customers, that customer will trust Business B despite never having any experience with them! So, get on LinkedIn, find related businesses in your local area, reach out to them and propose a Referral Partnership.

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