LinkedIn (NYSE:LNKD) has hit a major milestone. The social media site just hit the half-billion user mark.
That’s right — 500 million users. Further, there are now 9 million businesses actively on the site.
The power of this community benefits a global audience, allowing businesses and their perspective employees and clients to connect like never before.
LinkedIn Reaches the 500 Million User Mark
“We now have half a billion members in 200 countries connecting, and engaging with one another in professional conversations and finding opportunities through these connections on LinkedIn,” the company says in a statement.
LinkedIn continues to lead the professional sector of social media. Since being acquired by Microsoft in 2016 for $26.2 billion, LinkedIn has added features that are tailored to businesses. For instance, the LinkedIn Small Business area of the site provides resources in three key areas: branding, marketing, sales, and hiring.
Branding
The vast network of users creates an audience for business to tell their unique story. Considered the Facebook of business, LinkedIn creates a platform to showcase your business model as well as the faces behind the scene.
Marketing
With a pool of 500 million users and more than 9 million business, the marketing potential within LinkedIn is huge. Marketing campaigns have the potential to create more meaningful relationships when compared to standard methods.
Sales
The LinkedIn space creates an unspoken environment of trust. Transactions are initiated on an even playing field with direct access to customers and decision makers.
Your business can use the LinkedIn Sales Navigator to create filters and reach your chosen prospects.
Hiring
Recruiting is where LinkedIn shines and the basis of its platform. With the new milestone of half a billion users, you’re guaranteed to find the right candidate.
LinkedIn’s blog publishes more than 100,000 articles every week, making it a one-stop resource worthy for small businesses to visit.
These are just some of the services available to small businesses on LinkedIn. Are you one of the half-billion active users on LinkedIn? When is the last time you logged in to the site? And is your small business or brand active on the site?
Image: LinkedIn
This article, “LinkedIn Reaches 500 Million User Mark; 9 Million Businesses Use Site” was first published on Small Business Trends