10 Facts That You Should Know About LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a powerful tool – is your business taking advantage of what it has to offer?
If you asked a hundred entrepreneurs and business owners whether they have a LinkedIn profile, the vast majority would say yes. If you asked those same people whether they were fully harnessing LinkedIn’s power, chances are most would say no. Having a LinkedIn page is not the same as maximizing this platform’s potential, so here are ten things everyone should know about the world’s leading professional networking site:
- Profiles need attention-grabbing headlines.
The headline is the only profile information visible in database searches, so entrepreneurs should expand upon basic descriptions like “company director” to summarize their expertise and business sector. - Go into detail.
A LinkedIn profile typically appears above Facebook results in Google, so list as much personal and professional information as possible. Company contact details and a customized LinkedIn URL are particularly valuable, and ensure that your summary contains any keywords prospective customers might search for. - Photos are crucial…
Those silhouette animations that accompany photo-free listings look unprofessional, whereas a well-framed head-and-shoulders shot will add a personal flourish that will encourage people to connect with (and trust) you. Profiles with photos are also seven times more likely to be viewed than those without. - …And so is a resumé.
You might be branching out into an exciting new venture, but your track record will be invaluable in persuading prospective clients to trust an unknown brand. Go into detail about your career, key projects and achievements to persuade people that your new business is backed with expertise and experience. - Strip out unwanted correspondence.
Some LinkedIn accounts accept enquiries from anyone, which can become tiresome. Narrow down the people you want to hear from, such as new business enquiries, and specify this clearly on your profile. LinkedIn is a global platform, so make it clear if you’re focused on your home market only. - Establish as many connections as possible.
Attaining the gold-standard 500+ LinkedIn contacts is difficult, but profiles with three-figure connections look more trustworthy. LinkedIn curates recommended contacts based on existing connections, so spend time once a month searching out old acquaintances or reaching out to new contacts. The Colleagues and Classmates features are particularly valuable in this regard. - Request recommendations.
Build on your contacts list by asking people from your previous roles to provide testimonials – LinkedIn makes it easy to send these requests. It also invites users to confirm that their contacts have certain skills, and people will often automatically reciprocate if you endorse them first. - Search for roles.
People often forget that LinkedIn is an excellent recruitment tool, so look for advertised roles in your new company’s sector. If you offer freelance IT support, it may be worth applying for full-time roles and asking if you can be of help. You might pop into the recruiter’s mind if a freelance role arises in future. - Join groups.
LinkedIn is more than a static information portal, it has thriving online communities. Join relevant groups or associations, sign up for daily updates, and contribute to Q&A discussions to demonstrate interest and involvement. Many new business enquiries grow organically from forums as people get to know each other. - Remain active.
In a similar manner, a regularly-updated LinkedIn profile with status updates will seem more polished than a page talking about your hopes for 2015. Add new skills whenever you can, and promote your knowledge and expertise without being overly self-congratulatory or unduly promotional. Professionalism is key here.