When it comes to LinkedIn and content creation I think of the platform like my little corner of the Wall Street Journal. I keep things relevant to business my audience. Now that being said I AM a business and Photography influencer. So I’m going to share a few things I’ve learned and some that were shared with me by others to get you started.
LinkedIn is a closed platform, which means that unlike Facebook or Instagram LI doesn’t openly share information nor does it make recommendations. But it will let you know that someone within your connections you know can introduce you to someone else and will recommend that you ASK for an introduction.
In my experience growing your online reach as an influencer isn’t hard.
There are only a few key factors you need to know and narrow down before you get started.
who your target audience
What your main social platform will be
Your frequency
Will this be a business for you
Yes, there is a lot more to being an online influencer but as I’ve said these are just a few key factors.
LinkedIn does allow for long-form post and articles, but I don’t recommend that you copy and paste your blog post unless you have a business blog because or relevant topic, because LinkedIn is a Business Platform, and people visit this site for business information and connections. Get into the habit of posting your content in that way.
Profile Section:
When it comes to the information you place on your Introduction Card i.e Profile Section you’re going to want to make sure you fill in as many areas as possible and DO NOT overlook the ones LinkedIn suggests you fill in either. Areas like skills, education, professional and volunteer experience fill them all in as these are key and will help potential connections understand any gaps in employment.
Profile and Header photos.
Now I’m a photographer first so this post would not be complete without some type of advice on your photos. Your LinkedIn Profile Photos is the 1st personal connection people make with you when they visit your page. Make sure you have a photo that is well lit, clear and OF YOU. Not your dog, your business logo or anything else. This is business and the first thing people want is a human connection regardless of the business you operate. People will always connect with and do business with people and your photo will help them connect with the human side first. It’s part of that know like trust factor. To create a custom LI header go over to canva.com enter the LI header dimension size of 1590px X 396px and then have fun. You can have your business name, add photos (that’s what I did- see below) and as long as you don’t violate guidelines of LI you customize this pretty much any way you’d like.
Customize your URL
This may seem like a thing of vanity, but the impression that the link “linkedin.com/in/wandathomas1” makes as opposed to “linkedin.com/in/W89762” is both subtle and substantial.
The former looks better and shows familiarity with the network, while the latter makes it appear that you’re not familiar enough with LinkedIn to make very easy customization.
What this communicates: A non-personalized URL communicates lack of familiarity with the LinkedIn network. A custom URL may make it easier to remember your profile and to navigate back.
Experience:
Now, as a business and photography and I tend to lean more to the right when it comes to my creative way of thinking. My belief is that business topics and social shares should be the primary focus.
I meet a lot of business owners and Influencers who do not have a LinkedIn Profile set up or worse they do and they don’t check their notifications.
Video
Video is an underutilized tool on LinkedIn but those that do share video information such as tutorials, pieces of training material, see great feedback. As with anyone other social outlets, keep it relevant to business, I like to think of LinkedIn like the Wall Street Journal or other such media outlet so share a snippet that will bring your connections back to your website so they can see information and work that may not be fitting for LI but work that will get you hired.
DO NOT DIRECT SELL!
So once you’ve connected with someone this is not an invitation to get in their message box and sell to them. You run the risk of losing that person as a connection. I will advise that if SOMEONE ELSE REACHES OUT TO YOU to make a connection send them a private thank you note saying something like this:
“Hi, Jeff! thank you for the connection, I enjoy getting to know a little more about everyone in my network. No this is not a sales call, I genuinely like learning more about my network and how we can help each other. Please feel free to schedule a 15 min talk so I can learn more about you your business. {at this point I insert a link to calendly so they can schedule a time to talk} I NEVER EVER make this a sales call I don’t talk about sales or anything. I mention my business and what I do but this call is meant to LEARN ABOUT THEM AND THEIR BUSINESS!!!
Now if you want to reach out to someone else go right ahead, remember what I said about LI being a closed platform earlier? Well, it protects its users by not allowing JUST anyone to connect randomly. You need to know the person or have a common connection, if not LI will throw barrier questions to vet you before allowing you to connect. It may ask you to send a private message to the person you want to connect with so this is the one I send I don’t know the person or have a common connector.
” Hi I came across your profile here on LinkedIn and noticed we shared some similar interest. I thought we can benefit from being connected. I work with people in your industry and host a podcast called the Lattes and Lenses podcast, it’s on iTunes. Thanks, Wanda Thomas
I always start off with sharing either a link to my podcast so they can listen. Since my podcast is hosted on all major platforms and links back to my website there is validity and options. I’m not sending a random stranger to a website they aren’t sure about.
So there you have it, The Influencers Guide to LinkIedIn. Go get started, write a post, connect with people and grow your business. Feel free to use these sample connection messages to grow your network into a solid one that is filled with people who know you, like what you’re about and trust you above all else. Because at the end of the day THOSE 3 markers that make us good influencers.
I’d love to connect with you feel free to reach out on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/wandathomas1/
