As a professional who works in marketing, it’s no surprise that I’ve had to learn a ton about social media over the past 15+ years. And while I do enjoy PARTS of social media, a lot of it is pretty icky, and I’ve had to curate (aka block the ick) my personal social media very carefully to preserve my own sanity. There’s one platform that does this for me, and it’s where I see more business happening and less “ick.”
It’s LinkedIn.
No, I’m not looking for another job. No, I’m not looking to hire anyone. LinkedIn is where I connect with other professionals, get inspired, and stay informed about trends and opportunities.
LinkedIn got a huge boost in 2020 when we couldn’t network in person and moved to an online networking space. Since then, they have successfully cultivated a social networking site that is more about business than “bling.”
If you are new to LinkedIn, or… worse yet… you still have the gray person outline from when you got on the site a decade ago… here are some ways to take full advantage of LinkedIn’s advantages.
1. Fully complete your profile.
Yes, that means updating your headshot (we recommend updating headshots at least every 10 years). LinkedIn is great about walking you through each step of updating your profile. While there are paid options, most professionals get plenty of value from the free version of the platform. Your about section should be less about your life story and more about how your skills can benefit your network.
2. Add new connections regularly.
As you are networking in the real world, add those people to your network on LinkedIn. Take some time every month or so to comb through the “people you may know” under the “My Network” tab. Also, don’t be afraid to turn down connection requests from people you don’t know. They are most likely just wanting to sell at you.
3. Don’t just be a stalker.
Ok, maybe I need to heed this advice as I look at my profile with my last original post being three months ago… But really. Aim to post something original every month. Maybe it’s a poignant quote from a podcast you listened to this morning. Maybe it’s a brag on a colleague or client. Virality is rarely a thing for LinkedIn, and trollers are minimal. So you can feel safe posting, as long as you are doing so with a professional and considerate tone.
Do you need a LinkedIn overhaul and training? We can help you leverage this important social platform for your business and for your career. Leave us a message at wholeheart.biz and we’ll get back with you soon.
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