If you’re just joining LinkedIn or thinking of how to get the best from your current profile on LinkedIn, you’ve probably asked yourself: What do I need to do to get noticed on this app?
Well, you’re not alone
As it is for other social media platforms, it’s a race to get the best out of it
To support your righteous cause – whether that is getting a job, growing your business, or just making meaningful connections
Today, I’ll walk you through a simple strategy I use to build a growing community of 3000+ followers and 500+ connections.
#1. Have a profile that stands out
With more than 860Million members and 58Million registered companies. LinkedIn is still the most widely used professional network available today.
However, to get the most out of this, you need a great LinkedIn profile that draws attention and says the right things
Here’s what you need:
A professional headshot that will give visitors a good impression when they get to your page
An eye-catching headline that visitors exactly what you do in one sentence.
Instead of just listing your job title, mention your specialty and how you benefit your company or customers. For example:
Visual Designer helping clients create winning powerful designs. Over 500 successful clients.
An interesting summary that expounds on your headline, highlights your key skills, and does well to bring in prospective employers
Use words that you want to be strongly connected to in your field. Be creative and paint a picture of who you really are as a professional. For example
“As a visual designer at Staples Consultings in Abuja. Nigeria. I provide visually appealing graphic designs for marketing engagements. My job also ensures that I brainstorm creative ideas with project teams, develop visual concepts for approval, and collaborate with IT developers to successfully integrate their graphic designs. My team and I stay updated on the latest trends in the design industry to always keep Staples Consulting on the cutting edge.”
#2. Be creative with visuals
Good visuals remain the #1 way to connect with your audience as it gives you an opportunity to tell your story
Whether you are sharing a video or a photo or info-graphics content, using engaging visual media can improve the receptiveness of your marketing tactics,
Generally, let your visuals educate, inform and help you build credibility in your subject matter
#3. Start making connections
The trick to building a consistent following on LinkedIn is to grow your connections.
As you meet people you like and can relate to their work, connect with them
While it is preferable to connect with individuals whom you know personally, and have worked with, or met in a professional capacity, you can also connect to those you haven’t met.
If you do decide to connect with individuals you haven’t met, or don’t have a direct connection to, send a note with your request explaining who you are and why you’d like to connect. Like this:
Hello Sue,
Thank you for accepting my connection request.
I am Paul, a visual designer focusing on strategy and digital marketing. I was highly inspired by your profile on LinkedIn and I couldn’t be more grateful.
I provide visually appealing graphic designs for marketing engagements and would really love to connect with you. Feel free to check out my LinkedIn profile.
Kind regards,
Tobi
If you are making connections for a work opportunity, this would be a bit different and can go like this
Hello Sue,
Thank you for accepting my connection request.
I am Paul, a visual designer focusing on strategy and digital marketing. I was highly inspired by your profile on LinkedIn and I couldn’t be more grateful.
I am interested in putting myself forward for any remote opportunities in branding, design, digital marketing, or general communication roles.
Feel free to check out my LinkedIn profile to see if I may be a fit for anything you may know.
Kind regards,
Tobi
Having a lot of connections helps keep you visible to others because of LinkedIn’s system of first, second, and third-degree connections.
#4. Keep your page active
Because Linkedin is a networking social media site. You need to remain active to get the most out of it.
Check out what other people are posting, engage them with thoughtful comments, and like and share posts that strike you as helpful
Pick a theme in your industry and share your knowledge on it.
Take what you learned over the last 30 days & ask yourself:
– What can I teach someone?
– What did I observe during the journey?
– How is this different than what others say?
– What tools, books, or articles helped?
Craft these into useful content and share
Joining one or two groups is also a great way to interact with others and meet some new people.
To recap;
#1. Have a profile that stands out
#2. Be creative with visuals
#3. Start making connections
#4. Keep your page active
