SlideShare is one of the most useful social communication platforms available to the modern professional, but it also requires the most effort. Unlike Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, SlideShare asks that you create unique, in-depth and engaging content. In the ecosystem of content marketing, it’s more like a blog than a network, and those who understand the medium correctly will inevitably get the most out of it.
To start with, understand that SlideShare, as the name suggests, is all about presentations. With neat integrations with LinkedIn, distribution is seamless, which is a plus. But it all starts with the deck itself. To make the most of SlideShare, follow these four steps:
1. Build out your channel: Give thought to how you will present yourself. People will land on your channel via other social networks, but once there you should consider the types of content you want to be known for. What are you hoping they do? Work your way backward from the desired actions to develop the channel graphics and content.
2. Create your decks in context: As with most forms of digital publishing, short, sweet and to the point are your boundaries. That said, it’s a presentation venue, so you’re finally free to use charts, data and statistics. Just remember that you’re not there to expound on your slides, so simplify to a single idea or illustration per slide to help them track with you.
3. Integrate with LinkedIn: Doing so puts your decks on your profile and/or company pages, and updates are published to your network. Simply put, it’s the best distribution for your decks, and you just have to do it.
4. Activate lead capture: By setting up lead capture, you can build forms to capture interested parties once they’ve consumed your content. Given the fact that SlideShare content will inevitably be more in-depth than most other forms of online content, a lead captured here is a lead indeed.
Of course, once you’ve done these things, it’s time to get to work. Don’t just create a deck or two and leave them there forever—try to post short, informative decks on a regular basis to maximize your visibility and keep driving people to the channel.
Question: How have you used SlideShare to supplement your communications strategies?
