Editor’s Note: We are pleased to share a blog post recently written by Amy McIlwain of Financial Social Media. Today Financial Social Media is thriving as a compliant provider for Social Media Education to Financial Advisors, Insurance Agents & Financial Service Agents.

It’s no secret that professionals are increasingly turning to social networks to drive key business initiatives. As the preferred social platform for financial advisors, LinkedIn is constantly adding new features, and here are some you should know about:

1. An improved mobile experience.

If you are like most busy professionals who spend time working on a phone or tablet, you know the importance of being able to connect on the go. Now, when you check into LinkedIn from a mobile device, you will find an improved experience for LinkedIn for iPhone and Pulse iPhone and iPad apps. Not only is the design enhanced to be more modern in iOS 7, but the Pulse app also allows you to move between articles with a quick swipe of your finger so you can easily consume information. With LinkedIn for mobile, you can also endorse your connections and add skills to your profile. Just be cautious when accepting endorsements from connections; individuals with certain securities licenses cannot participate in those features for compliance reasons.

2. Redesigned LinkedIn Groups.

With around 8,000 diverse Groups being created each week, LinkedIn Groups is one of the most popular networking products on the platform. Still the place to share ideas, ask questions, and gain valuable insights into the community, LinkedIn Groups now has a streamlined look that gives Group managers and members the ability to customize their conversation space to make it stand out in the crowd. When it comes to Groups, engaging only with other financial advisors will limit your ability to attract new clients. Instead, engage with individuals in your target market, whether that is based on your location, niche market, or people who share your interest in other topics.

3. The Volunteer Experience and Causes section.

More than just a place to talk business, LinkedIn now offers professionals the ability to share their passions outside of work. Members can now share philanthropic experience in the Volunteer Experience and Causes section, as well as express interest in volunteering or serving on the board of a nonprofit. Sharing information about other topics can be fulfilling and help create connections that lead to meaningful relationships. Just be sure to strike the right balance between posting business and personal content.

4. LinkedIn Company Page analytics.

If you share content via a LinkedIn Company Page (which you should!), now you can track its performance with Page analytics. With analytics, you can see what content drives the greatest engagement, filter trends by type and time of day, see detailed demographic information, and benchmark your data against similar companies. Don’t forget that you can also leverage sponsored updates on your LinkedIn Company Page to further engage professionals in meaningful conversations.

5. Linkedin’s New Showcase Pages.

Because many companies have various facets and services, social media marketing can feel like a juggling act as you try to market to multiple audiences through one platform or landing page. LinkedIn’s new Showcase Pages are extensions of your company’s main company page, allowing companies to easily segment their multiple brand messages to the right audiences. For example, your financial firm could have one main company page with 3 additional Showcase Pages: one for estate planning, one for retirement planning, and one for financial planning. And because LinkedIn is the most popular network for Financial professionals, what better place to add content and information about your business and its services! All Showcase Pages will be found on the right side of your company page, as shown below.