Branding: Quick & Dirty LinkedIn Tips
Welcome to this episode of Work Your Biz Like A Boss where we are going to focus in on some branding/social media work specifically LinkedIn.
I ALWAYS GET ASKED
I always get asked, “Do I need to be on LinkedIn?” It depends. LinkedIn is for professional networking and business to business. If you are looking for a job, yes, you need to be on linked in. If you are a B2B business, yes, you need to be on LinkedIn. It’s also a great way to build contacts to places you might want to work in the future to learn about that business’s philosophy, products/services, culture, etc.
NOW WHAT?
First, let’s approach your LinkedIn strategy from the professional networking angle—needing to find a job or to create valuable contacts for your current position at your job.
Find a way to provide value through your posts and when contacting others on LinkedIn. What will make this person’s life easier? How can I inspire and motivate? You don’t want to be fake. You want to tap into the genius you carry inside and the intangibles that attract others to you. If you need to sit down and make a list of what those are or ask your closest friends and colleagues, do it. Then take those and create content through quotes, thoughts, etc. that “broadcast” those traits to your LinkedIn followers.
Reveal your expertise and authority in your field. Display some of your work if appropriate. Describe how you solved a problem in your capacity in your current position that demonstrates your ability to problem solve and overcome challenges. Quote some of your favorite people in that same field. Even throw in some interpersonal communication and conflict resolution skills you possess and have learned.
Ask for input. If you have a challenge or question in your professional work or even a personal branding question (something relevant to your LinkedIn audience), ask for input and feedback. It can even be how you dress for an interview or how to word something on your resume. This increase engagement and your reach. Make sure you give input and feedback, too. Comment on others’ posts as well as answer questions they might pose on their LinkedIn.
Mix personal with professional. Not too much personal but enough so you can build rapport and some common ground with your network.
Only connect with people you know or see an ability to work with. A large network is NOT the goal on LinkedIn. Those who are connected to you will share your posts (if they are valuable) and cheer you on.
Post at least once a week. For LinkedIn, less is more because engagement is very organic and can go viral easier than other platforms. Once a week is great. You can do every day. But don’t just throw up anything. You’re LinkedIn isn’t a trash can or toilet to throw up in. Think thoughtful, strategic, and value.
For those of you that are B2B, it’s pretty much the same but let me give you a bit more tweaking and additions.
Definitely provide value and ask the same question, “What will make this person’s life easier? What’s going to make this person look like a Rockstar to their boss, client, etc?” Offer them something unique that can only be attained through your product or service. Benefits. Benefits. Benefits. People buy benefits. This is ESPECIALLY important if you reach out to someone through LinkedIn messaging. Don’t be spammy or sound like a commercial. Be specific through studying the person you want to contact and see how you can help them.
Leads come from providing free information to people that is valuable and will remind them of your expertise and authority in your field. It can be valuable information you create or that others have created. A quick comment on someone’s post recommending a book or sharing a quote that is relevant to what they just posted is an example. A podcast or product that’s helped you and is relevant is another. Even leading with your product/service and how it can help them, again, without sounding spammy can work. You must accumulate trust currency, which equals giving your best stuff away for free so that they will trust you and want to work with you.
Mix personal and professional as well but this isn’t Instagram. It doesn’t have to be only those times when you look like a model in lounge clothes in a villa in Switzerland. Be authentic and real. And make even the personal valuable and give them a peak into your life that is inspiring but not always so polished. We can inspire others in a meaningful and down-to-earth way.
Ask for input, too. Present two branding color and fonts options. Present two product/services ideas or ways to use and ask for input. Be creative. Think outside the box. You can even use other people’s products and services and ask for input. If you see or use a fantastic product, share how you use it and ask others how they would use it. Or do they have a fave product/service to share? You can get valuable feedback to improve your product or service or just get a conversation going that builds rapport.
Same principle as far as your network—keep is simple, small, and strategic.
Create B2B content speaks to your target audience and creates a hunger and thirst for your products or services. Do short mini-lessons. I do this a lot for branding and emotional intelligence. You know what I have found? Giving my best stuff away actually gets me more business than keeping it to myself. If I’m working on a project that hasn’t yet been released, I keep that under wraps. But I’ll still take principles from it and helps others.
Once a week posting is all you need as well. Same philosophy. It must provide value or don’t post it. See what works and post more of the same.
THAT’S IT!
LinkedIn is a fabulous platform. Organic reach and growth is easier. You can truly network with others in meaningful ways. You can provide value that gets seen. Too many forget about LinkedIn because it’s so low-key. This is perfect for you! Take advantage of these qualities now!