On LinkedIn, you can get by with a little help from your friends!

On LinkedIn, we can get by with a little help from your friend's LinkedIn community

LinkedIn is a brilliant networking platform. It has the potential to be utterly transformative. But how do you make the most of it? Are you seeking out connections to see whom you can help? Or finding not-to-be-missed opportunities for people in your network?

It’s not rocket science: the more you help people, the more they will help you. Stands to reason.

Like the Beatles famously sang: "I get by with a little help from my friends" or LinkedIn community.

Remember the many mutual connections everyone shares. Think about it: are they helping by doing introductions for you? This is an ideal way to build up a rapport with your network and the perfect ‘in’ to direct message them and start up a conversation.

When you message people, consider what you have in common with them. Take time out to familiarise yourself with their profile, and see what their interests are. Do you share any hobbies? If so, this would make for a great opener.

Another fab way to get to know someone is to ask lots of questions.

Recently, I sent out a post about connecting and many responded that they tend to connect without leaving any kind of personal note. Now, this is an option (arguably better something than nothing), but in such an instance you are missing that pivotal initial exchange - getting to know that person through the art of virtual conversation. So much opportunity was lost! The potential for them to mention something they have read in your profile, or like one of your posts, or an emoji they have seen, to reassure you they have read it and taken an interest in you.

The post which I sent out recently about connections received over 4,000 views. It was interesting as everyone shared their views about how they like to connect with people, my personal opinion is I still like a note and it builds up a relationship with that person.

An update on content

Do you analyse your content every week to see what works and what doesn’t?

I tend to do this regularly and from what I am seeing is that a text and attention-grabbing image works really well, don’t forget to tell a story, write in 1st person, just write about something that will resonate with your audience, ask questions to include your audience.

Social Proof is always important whether you add it in a text with a good image or whether you ask the person to record it for you in a video that looks even more genuine or even in a live and interview that person if you feel comfortable with it you couldn’t have a better way of seeing a genuine testimonial.

A case study could also help explain what you did for that client, that’s another great post.

Showing you're behind the scenes is a good one where you work, and what you do.

Telling people you're WHY why did you start the business, as Simon Sinek always says.

Always mix that content up, definitely show your personal side, and include stories that work so well and people get to know you much more and want to do business with you.

Going back to the video, reels are popular but of course, LinkedIn is not set up yet for short-form so apps like CapCut can help, different size video helps, I did one recently with a moving background, dressing up is good, having props these are all things that help you stand out. Using captions is highly important but also attention-grabbing captions, music is great to speak with my buddy Jim Wolfe and more about video speak to Clare Carroll who is an amazing creator of the video.

 Polls are still being used but are not as popular with the algorithm as they were before.

Carousel posts are still very popular, be creative, and add your personal brand.

Personal Brand

The key to your personal brand is showing people what you are passionate about and what you are known for, also knowing your client avatar helps.

 Wrap it up.

To conclude content is very much how you gain business but you do need to have a profile that stands out and is clear with your call to action so people know what your offering is, so talking about offering my last workshop for a while is the LinkedIn Accelerator Workshop where I shall take people through, step by step how to use LinkedIn effectively for business and to eventually gain opportunities from this great platform.  

If you'd like to book a 15 min call with me to discuss your LinkedIn Strategy click here.

Bettina

www.busy-bsolutions.com