As a business professional, it’s highly unlikely that you are unfamiliar LinkedIn. In fact, I’m going to guess that you are one of the more than 124 million users in the U.S. (one third of the population) who are reportedly using the professional social media platform. But even though so many Americans are on LinkedIn, only a fraction are using it to actively engage with the public – resulting in missed opportunities.
For example, today, in the era of the empowered consumer, your prospective customers are conducting their own research about you and your company online. Oftentimes, their journey will lead them to your social media presence. LinkedIn has become a particularly popular destination. While this trend of online research can be a great thing, it can have an adverse effect if your profile appears out-of-date.
Here are a few quick tips to help you maximize the value of your personal and business pages on LinkedIn:
1. Make sure your profile is current and complete.
To adequately demonstrate growth and expertise, review your profile regularly to verify that it’s up to date. Specifically, add information about your current position and update your skills and experience. For your business’s page, make sure your service offerings are current and double check the facts in your biographical sketch.
2. Don’t leave your summary section blank.
One of the hardest things to do is talk about ourselves. But if you want to be regarded for your skills and expertise on LinkedIn, take the time to write a solid profile summary. Your profile summary should include information about who you are, what you know and what you love to do. You don’t have to get too “braggy,” but you should talk about the characteristics that make you unique and relatable.
3. Connect, connect and connect.
Are you particular about the people you choose to connect with online? Let your guard down a little bit on LinkedIn. If you use it properly, you feel pretty confident about the quality of your connections and how they ultimately influence your credibility and notoriety. As your network grows, you will have greater opportunities to establish positive relationships with existing and prospective clients and customers.
4. Share content at least weekly.
Don’t worry, when it comes to sharing content on LinkedIn. You don’t have to write a book – if anything at all. The key is to share information that’s relevant to your audience or that further demonstrates your expertise and professionalism in a particular industry. Did you read an interesting article that pertains to your field? Click on the “share” button and select the LinkedIn option and let your network know. Not only will sharing information help further establish yourself as a thought leader, it will help you facilitate higher rankings among your connections while keeping you and your brand top-of-mind.
5. Get recommendations.
Don’t be afraid to ask others to recommend you on LinkedIn. People love reading reviews, especially when the reviews are about people. Obtaining recommendations on LinkedIn is an excellent way to further establish your professional brand while demonstrating the variety of value-added qualities you bring to the table. Just remember, if somebody is willing to say something nice about you on LinkedIn, it’s always a great idea to return the favor.
Above all, remember that you don’t have to dedicate a ton of time to your LinkedIn profile for it to be an effective tool for you and your business. Just make an effort to keep your information up-to-date while regularly engaging to ensure you’re not missing any opportunities. Still not sure where to start? Visit the Rea & Associates LinkedIn page for some ideas and take a look at some of our employees’ LinkedIn profiles.
By Rebecca Weiand (New Philadelphia/Admin office)