LinkedIn Marketing Tools: Beginner's Guide

Want to grow your LinkedIn presence quickly and effectively? Start with these three basics:

• Scheduling Tools: Use tools like Buffer or Hootsuite to schedule posts and save time. LinkedIn also has a built-in scheduler, though it's more limited.
• Analytics Tools: Track your performance using LinkedIn Analytics or advanced tools like Sprout Social to understand what works and improve your strategy.
• Automation Tools: Tools like Expandi or Dripify help you find leads and send personalized connection requests, saving hours of manual work.

Quick Tips for Beginners:

• Post consistently: Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 8-10 AM work best.
• Focus on video content: Posts with videos get 55% more engagement.
• Optimize your profile: Complete profiles get 30% more views.

Quick Comparison of Key Tools:

Tool Type	Example Tools	Cost (Starting)	Key Benefit
Scheduling Tools	Buffer, Hootsuite	$5-$19/month	Saves time, posts on autopilot
Analytics Tools	Sprout Social	Varies	Tracks engagement and ROI
Automation Tools	Expandi, Dripify	$39-$99/month	Finds leads faster

Start small: Pick one tool, optimize your profile, and post regularly. Use these tools to save time, track results, and grow your professional network faster.

Top LinkedIn Tools for Beginners

Tools for Scheduling LinkedIn Posts

Want to keep your LinkedIn presence active without spending all day on the platform? Here's what you need to know about scheduling tools.

Buffer and Hootsuite make post scheduling simple and budget-friendly. Buffer starts at $5/month, while Hootsuite offers multi-platform management at $19/month. Both come with free plans to help you test the waters. LinkedIn itself has a built-in scheduling feature, though it's more basic than specialized tools.

"LinkedIn scheduling tools are essential for maintaining consistent presence without spending hours each day on manual posting", notes Buffer's 2023 Social Media Management Report.

Here's a pro tip: Posts scheduled between 8-10 AM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays get 25% more engagement than other times. That's when your audience is most likely to see and interact with your content.

Tools for Analyzing LinkedIn Performance

Numbers tell stories - and analytics tools help you read them. While LinkedIn's built-in analytics give you the basics, tools like Sprout Social dig deeper into your performance data.

Here's what different metrics can tell you:

Metric Type	What It Measures	Why It Matters
Engagement Rate	Likes, comments, shares	Shows content resonance
Audience Growth	Follower trends	Tracks community building
Click-through Rate	Link interactions	Measures content effectiveness

Tools for Automating Lead Generation

Looking to connect with potential clients without the manual grunt work? Tools like Expandi ($99/month) and Dripify ($39/month) can help. They're built to work within LinkedIn's rules, so you won't risk your account getting flagged.

These tools use smart search filters to find your ideal prospects and send them personalized connection requests. In fact, Dripify users who personalize their outreach messages see 40% more accepted connections compared to generic approaches.

Using LinkedIn Tools Effectively

Improving Your LinkedIn Profile and Page

Think of your LinkedIn profile as your digital business card - but way more powerful. Want more eyes on your profile? Fill it out completely. HubSpot found that complete profiles get 30% more views.

Here's what works:

• Pack your headline and "About" section with keywords that match what you do
• Add clear, professional visuals to your company page that match your brand
• Keep your branding consistent across your profile and company page

Creating Better Content with Tools

You don't need to be a design pro to create eye-catching LinkedIn content. Here are some tools that make it simple:

• Canva Pro gives you ready-to-use LinkedIn templates and stores your brand elements
• InShot helps you edit professional videos right from your phone
• Grammarly catches writing mistakes before you post

"LinkedIn is not only good for networking with like-minded business professionals. It's also great for improving brand awareness, boosting leads and conversions, and increasing revenue." - HubSpot Blog

Here's something interesting: Video posts are getting way more attention now - 55% more engagement since 2023. People just love watching and sharing videos. When you post, add 2-3 hashtags - enough to help people find your content, but not so many that it looks spammy.

Using Automation to Boost Engagement

Want to stay active on LinkedIn without being glued to your screen? That's where smart automation comes in. Tools like Buffer let you schedule posts ahead of time, so you can focus on what matters - actually talking to people.

Pro tip: When posting videos, upload them directly to LinkedIn instead of sharing links from other platforms. Direct uploads tend to get better reach. Just remember: quality beats quantity every time, even when you're using automation tools.

sbb-itb-f5650dd

Advanced LinkedIn Marketing Tips

How to Use LinkedIn Paid Ads

LinkedIn's paid ads give you direct access to B2B decision-makers through detailed professional targeting that other platforms just can't match. Here's what the platform offers:

Ad Type	Best For	Key Feature
Sponsored Content	Brand awareness	Blends into user feeds
Lead Gen Forms	Lead collection	One-click form filling
Text Ads	Cost-effective reach	Flexible payment options
Message Ads	Personal outreach	Inbox placement

Starting out? Keep it simple: Set aside $20-50 per day to test what works. Pick ONE goal - like growing followers or getting leads - and stick to it until you see results.

"LinkedIn's targeting capabilities are unmatched for B2B marketing. The platform's professional data makes it easier to reach decision-makers compared to other social networks", notes Sprout Social's 2024 marketing report.

While paid ads can boost your reach, there's another powerful tool right under your nose: your own employees.

Getting Employees Involved in LinkedIn Marketing

Want to multiply your LinkedIn presence? Turn to your team. When employees share and engage with company content, it creates real connections that feel natural - not forced. Plus, their combined networks can spread your message far beyond your company page's reach.

Here's the smart way to do it: Use tools like Sprout Social's content library to give employees pre-approved posts. This keeps your message consistent and makes sharing quick and easy.

To get your employee advocacy program rolling:

• Give them clear rules and ready-made content
• Make sure their profiles look professional with correct job titles
• Track which posts get the most engagement
• Set up a sharing schedule that fits their workflow

Here's a pro tip: Don't chase numbers. Focus on getting solid engagement from a smaller group of active employees who really get your message. It's better to have 10 employees sharing quality content regularly than 100 doing it randomly.

Related video from YouTube

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Want to boost your LinkedIn marketing game? It all boils down to three key elements: automation, analytics, and engagement. Tools like Buffer and Hootsuite help you post consistently and save 5-10 hours every week. Plus, combining LinkedIn's built-in analytics with specialized tools shows you exactly what content clicks with your audience.

Here's what each type of tool brings to the table:

Tool Type	Main Use	What You Get
Scheduling	Content Management	5-10 hours saved weekly
Analytics	Track Results	Clear view of engagement
Automation	Get More Leads	Easy connection building

Looking to learn more? Check out the LinkedIn Tools Directory at bestlinkedintools.com. They review marketing tools monthly and offer detailed comparisons through their basic plan.

"A well-optimized LinkedIn profile combined with the right marketing tools can significantly increase your visibility and credibility in your industry. The key is starting with the basics and gradually expanding your toolkit as you grow more comfortable with the platform", according to LinkedIn's 2024 Marketing Guide.

Ready to take action? Start small - pick ONE tool and master it. Maybe it's Buffer for scheduling posts or LinkedIn's own analytics to track your progress. Try posting about your expertise every Tuesday morning.

Set aside 30 minutes each day for networking, and be smart about using automation. The best move? Pick a tool from this guide and start using it this week. No need to overcomplicate things - just take that first step.

Related posts

• How to Choose the Right LinkedIn Marketing Tool