Social media has introduced new and exciting marketing opportunities for companies of all sizes. Business owners can no longer ignore the far-reaching benefits of social networking, which is why you’ve probably noticed that most of them already have Facebook and Twitter pages. If you’re a company owner looking to grow your business, there’s one social networking site that can be even more valuable to you—LinkedIn.

What is LinkedIn?

LinkedIn operates the world’s largest professional network on the Internet with more than 259 million members in over 200 countries and territories, according to their website. It’s truly an invaluable tool for connecting people with current and potential business contacts.

Who should be on LinkedIn?

Just about any company or business professional can benefit from joining LinkedIn. Any business that involves PR, sales or marketing can benefit from the engagement and promotion potential offered by LinkedIn. Many business owners create a company page on LinkedIn for the networking opportunities and business-to-business connections. Nonprofits use the site to find new channels for fundraising, and HR professionals find it quite effective.

Why you should create LinkedIn company page

If you don’t already have one, there are tons of reasons why you should create a company page on LinkedIn.  Not only is it free and easy to use, this powerful social media site can help you:

• Build relationships–Smart business professionals know personal relationships create success in business. When you create a LinkedIn company page, you can easily keep up your connections and  jobs. LinkedIn also lets you search for colleagues, companies and suppliers you may want to do business with. It’s a powerful networking platform for building brands and credibility.

• Build brands–When using LinkedIn for companies, you have the opportunity to build your reputation as an expert in your field. Group discussions and the “Share” function let you share the information you want your connections to see, and help build the credibility of your brand.

• Enhance your online presence– Because of its relevance and tendency to have fresh content, LinkedIn profiles are scored high on search engine results. So, if a user is searching for your type of business and you have an active profile, you’re going to be found easily. And with the option to display, LinkedIn for companies can help drive traffic to your site.

• Find networking opportunities– LinkedIn suggests relevant groups and people that you may know, encouraging you to connect and get involved in online discussions. This high level of engagement can help position you as an industry leader, generate leads and build your network.

How to create a LinkedIn company page

To create a company page on LinkedIn, simply visit LinkedIn.com, fill out the requested information and click “Join Now.” Like most social media sites, LinkedIn lets you build both personal and company profiles. Social media experts recommend having both because LinkedIn for companies lets you highlight products and services, while a personal profile features your experience.  Be consistent with the information you share on both pages so that users have a complete picture of you and your business.

So, what are you waiting for?  There’s never been a better time to get linked in to this powerful social networking site.  Create a company page on LinkedIn today and get connected!