Like anything else with LinkedIn you get out what you put in.
Below, I’ve compiled a list of 3 easy to follow tips that can help you become more successful with LinkedIn.These tips are based on my own experiences, and have resulted in opportunities to grow my business over time.
#1 Start with a strong foundation
Your LinkedIn profile is your online professional presence. If a prospective client searches for your name online the chances are your LinkedIn profile is going to be at or near the top of those search results.
When was the last time you ‘Googled’ yourself? (Other search engines are available!)
What does that search reveal?
Are you making the kind of impression you want to make?
Remember your LinkedIn profile will also follow you around LinkedIn as you participate in commenting, sharing or group discussions.
Your headshot and your headline summary are going to be right there too.
It will be time well spent completing your profile fully. LinkedIn will walk you through the process and give you pointers along the way.
A few things I often see people fail to complete or take advantage of are:
- Not completing full contact details – why wouldn’t you want to make it easy for people to get in touch?
- Not claiming your vanity URL – Did you know you can customise your LinkedIn Url?
A vanity URL is easier to remember and use and also looks branded and professional.
Mine, for instance, is uk.linkedin.com/in/deborahlabbate
You should definitely use your name or as close to it as you can get based on what LinkedIn will allow you to choose and what others may have already taken. I don’t recommend you use nicknames, handles or your business name.
- Not using a suitable profile picture
Take a good hard too at your profile photo now.
What does it say about you?
Does it reflect who you are as a professional or does it reflect a hobby or outside interest? A good photo should be a head and shoulders shot that flatters but not misleads. When you eventually meet your customers or contacts in person you don’t want a complete disconnect between Photoshop and life!
A photo alone won’t necessarily win you any business, but a bad one could potentially lose you business. The best photo will strike a good balance between professionalism and approachability. You want to look good. You want to look real.
Don’t view setting up your LinkedIn profile (or taking some time to improve upon it now) as a one-time job. It should be an ongoing activity.
- Not making the most of your LinkedIn headline
This is one of the most powerful and important parts of your personal profile. You want this to grab your readers attention and make it clear what you do for them so they want to read more.
#2 Build your network intelligently
Remember you are human and you do business in a real world. In past years we may have embraced the online world of virtual networks like LinkedIn but please don’t leave your social behaviour behind. For example, if you saw someone interesting on the street, would you run up, introduce yourself, and then disappear never to talk with them again? Would you attend a networking event, conference or seminar and walk around randomly throwing business cards at people and not engaging first in conversation? I think not! But I see this sort of behaviour frequently when I’m on the receiving end of one of those generic “I’d like to add you to my network” requests from someone I don’t know on LinkedIn.
It’s worse still if you send one and it’s accepted only to be never followed up with anything useful. Really! What’s the point?
Relationships need to be nurtured and you should look for ways to make deposits and not just withdrawals Think about how you can take things a step further perhaps looking for opportunities to help your connections without any direct benefit to you.
Building an intelligent network means you connect with people when it makes sense to do so from a personal or professional perspective.
These may not be connections that you need today, but what about in the future? Investing in your network now builds your foundation for later. Having a diverse and relevant network will open up all kinds of doors and opportunities you may have never imagined.
I can’t tell you how many new clients I’ve brought into my business who have said to me “I see you on LinkedIn”.
#3 Have a Relationship Mind-set
This has to be my most important tip. If you don’t go into LinkedIn with a relationship mind-set none of the other tips are going to work well for you.
LinkedIn members are looking to build and grow their networks, and that requires building relationships. You’re not going to know how to connect and promote others without getting to know the members of your network.
If you build deeper relationships with the right people in your network, you might be amazed at how willing they are to help you grow your visibility and influence.
Having a relationship mind-set on LinkedIn will set you apart. Starting conversations encourages others to get involved, which opens the door to expanding your network with people you’ve never seen or met before.
I’ll be posting more tips so be sure to check back!