10 steps to turn LinkedIn into a small business marketing dream

If someone gave you the opportunity to attend a meeting where thousands of your prospects were also present, you’d be silly not to take them up on the offer…right?
This opportunity might be staring you in the face.
LinkedIn is the world’s largest database of professionals; hundreds of millions of professionals waiting there, ready to be connected with and engaged.
It really is a small business marketing dream. If you get it right.
The problem is that most small business owners are not using LinkedIn properly. Either they are targeting the wrong people; interacting with connections in the wrong ways; or they are simply inactive and expecting leads to come to them.
If you want to turn LinkedIn into a lead generation machine — and never cold call again — follow these 10 basic guidelines and watch your results start to improve…
1. Talk to your target audience
Your profile should not read like a CV. It should speak directly to the wants and needs of your target audience — and demonstrate what you do to help solve their problems.
Really, nobody is interested in job titles, positions, or years of experience. You connect with people by explaining how you can improve their lives or solve their problems.
2. Get the visuals right on your profile
On social media, a picture really does paint a thousand words. LinkedIn is no exception.
It’s firstly important to get a high-quality photo uploaded: you should look professional but approachable — smile! A poor quality photo that looks like a cheap passport photo with you standing against a plain wall is unlikely to make a good first impression. Invest in some professional photography for you and your team.
Secondly, your background image. Don’t waste this valuable space with a picture of your pet dog! Use it to instantly communicate to your audience what you do. Consider getting a customised image made that includes your main keywords. Again, invest in professionals here. Hire a designer to create your background image.
3. Get found!
Did I just mention keywords? Consider that LinkedIn is a massive database and search engine. Including your main keywords in your headline, summary, and experience section will help you get found when your prospects search through LinkedIn.
In the headline section of your profile, keywords are weighted, so it’s especially important to use them here.
4. Connect with prospects not peers
One big mistake that business owners make is to connect with too many industry peers. It can take up far too much time discussing industry matters — for little benefit.
It’s far better to use LinkedIn to build up a community of prospects. They are out there; you need to locate them and connect with them. Then you can start building a large network of potential leads.
5. Send personalised connection requests
Very little meaningful communication on LinkedIn can be automated. Yes, you can design some basic templates for connection requests (with standard greetings and sign offs) but make sure the bulk of your interactions are personalised.
LinkedIn is about building relationships. You can only do that by getting personal. Templated messages are easy to spot and they break rapport from the get-go.
6. Be interested in your prospects
Rather than telling them all about you, how about you give your prospects an opportunity to tell you about themselves? This will be far more productive in terms of uncovering problems and opportunities.
Remember — people love to talk about themselves. Let them do this and you will soon form closer relationships.
Your presence on LinkedIn should be focused on building the relationships that make up your community.
7. Engage: Like, comment, share, suggest & endorse
There are many ways to engage with your community: liking their posts, commenting on posts, sharing content, suggesting solutions, endorsing them for skills…
All this shows interest in your community. And, with your face appearing in their LinkedIn feeds regularly, you start to become more familiar to your connections.
8. Get really active
The big difference between those who claim they never get much out of LinkedIn and those who are killing it is activity.
Don’t expect results by logging in once a week and responding to messages. You need to be proactive.
Set aside time (45 minutes at least) each day to connect with new people, engage with them, and identify any opportunities for taking things further.
9. Mix up your content
Text, images, video: your status updates offer several ways of communicating with your prospects.
Video is now more important than ever — but it’s not just the format of content that matters. It’s also the mix of topics.
Try to blend personal experiences, stories and philosophies with professional posts about results you have achieved and answering FAQs.
10. Take the relationship off LinkedIn to sell
It’s surprising how many business owners are confused by this final tip. LinkedIn is not a sales tool — it’s a marketing tool.
It’s a superb platform for finding, connecting with, and engaging with prospects. This generates leads and opportunities. But converting these opportunities into sales needs to be done in the traditional way: offline.
The above ten tips will help you improve your individual profile and focus your activities. This is more important than your business page. People do business with people and, as a small business owner, this should be the focus of your time on LinkedIn.
Use LinkedIn to connect with a network, build a community of prospects, and to engage meaningfully with them. This way, you will naturally demonstrate your expertise and produce a long-term flow of leads to your business.
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The Australian Government’s expanded 5% Deposit Scheme, which commenced on October 1, offers a fast-tracked path to home ownership for many aspiring buyers. By drastically reducing the deposit required and eliminating Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), this program aims to unlock the door to your very own home sooner than ever thought possible. However, like any major economic policy, it has significant implications that buyers and taxpayers must consider. Here is a breakdown of how the scheme works, who qualifies, and what the potential impact could be on the property market. What is the 5% Deposit Scheme and how does it work? The scheme is designed to make home ownership more achievable, particularly for those struggling to save a 20% deposit. Low Deposit: The home buyer secures a loan with a minimum deposit of 5% (for First Home Buyers) or 2% (for single parents/legal guardians). Government Guarantee: Instead of the buyer paying LMI (which protects the lender), the Australian Government provides a guarantee to a Participating Lender. This guarantee allows the lender to provide a home loan covering up to 95% or 98% of the home's value without the usual LMI fee. No LMI: The buyer avoids paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance, significantly reducing upfront costs. Key features of the expanded program include no income caps, as well as unlimited spots and no waiting list. The Scheme also makes a wider choice of home types available (houses, apartments, house/land packages, vacant land with a building contract, new or existing homes). It’s not just for first home buyers!

Christmas can be the most wonderful time of the year—it can also be one of the most expensive. The key to enjoying the festive season and reducing the risk of financial stress is careful planning. As your financial partners at Ascent Accountants, we want you to focus on what truly matters—time with friends, family, and peace of mind. Six essential budgeting tips to help you take control of your Christmas spending. 1. Make a detailed budget list. The sooner you start, the more control you have. Begin by listing every expense you anticipate, including gifts, food, clothes, travel, and entertainment. Once you have your total, check it against your available funds. If the total feels too high, look at where you can cut back or spread the cost. Being realistic from the beginning prevents surprises later. 2. Prioritise what truly matters (and pay your priority debts!). When money is tight, focus your funds on the essentials and the things that genuinely bring the most joy. Order your list by priority (e.g., gifts for children first, then shared family meals, then travel). It’s okay—and essential—to say 'no' to extras that don’t fit your budget. Always consider your priority payments and debts before any other Christmas spending. Priority debts, like rent, electricity, or car insurance, must always come first as they significantly impact your day-to-day life if left unpaid. 3. Be cautious with credit and 'Buy Now, Pay Later' arrangements. It's tempting to use a credit card or a Buy Now, Pay Later option, especially when promotions promise delayed payments. However, small instalments add up quickly, and missing a payment can result in fees and/or negatively impact your credit record. If you do use credit, only borrow what you can comfortably afford to repay, and make a solid plan to pay it off as soon as possible in the new year. 4. Compare prices & shop smart. Always take time to research before you buy. Comparing online and in-store prices can result in significant savings. Be wary of high-pressure sales events like Black Friday, which often encourage impulse spending. Before purchasing, ask yourself three questions: Do I really need this? Is this on my original budget list, or is it extra? Is this truly a bargain if I don't actually need it? 5. Suggest a 'Secret Santa'. If your family or friend group has traditionally bought gifts for everyone, suggest switching to a Secret Santa arrangement. Setting a sensible spending limit or pooling funds for one thoughtful gift makes things easier and less expensive for everyone. Often, homemade gifts or vouchers for experiences are more meaningful and last longer in the memory than expensive presents. 6. Plan ahead for next year. The best way to guarantee a calm, affordable Christmas next year is to start preparing now. After this year's holidays, take note of exactly what you spent and where the money went. Set a goal for next year and start a small savings fund. Even setting aside $5 or $10 a week can make a monumental difference in managing next Christmas without stress. Need to tidy up your finances after the holidays? If the Christmas period leaves you needing advice on debt consolidation, setting up a savings plan, or just better budgeting habits for the new year, contact the team at Ascent Accountants. We can help you build the confidence to hit your financial goals!

As the end of the year approaches, businesses are gearing up for the festive season, which means planning the annual Christmas party and showing appreciation with gifts. While the cheer is high, so too are the complexities of Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT). Getting the FBT treatment wrong can turn a simple celebration into an unexpected tax bill. As your trusted advisors at Ascent Accountants, here is a breakdown of the key tax rules, with a focus on the crucial $300 per person limit, to ensure your end-of-year generosity is tax-effective. The critical $300 minor benefit threshold. The Minor Benefits Exemption is your best friend for managing FBT. A benefit is generally exempt from FBT if its total notional taxable value is less than $300 (GST inclusive) per person, and it is provided infrequently and irregularly. Christmas parties (entertainment) The location and cost of your party are the key factors for FBT.





