Wednesday, November 20, 2019

10 Things To Immediately Start Doing On LinkedIn Frequently

John Hall

Many of us visit sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter on a daily — even hourly — basis. We actively participate by reading, commenting, and posting on these channels and devour hours’ worth of others’ content on these platforms.  

And then there’s LinkedIn. We may not even remember the last time we signed in to the professional social network, but it constantly lingers in the background — and for good reason. As entrepreneurs and business executives, this is the social network we should visit every day. It connects us to people and ideas that can advance our careers and our businesses.

It’s time to dust off this critical social media profile and start doing these 10 things every day to tap into opportunities for new partnerships, revenue streams, talent, and funding. As someone who highly values my time, I want to make the most of it — and these 10 daily actions have maximized my LinkedIn visits. 

1. Designate five minutes a day to engage.
One of the most valuable things I’ve seen recently: people who are surprised when I respond to their messages. I can’t reply to everyone. However, I spend about five minutes after my morning run either answering a LinkedIn message or engaging in some way with the comments left on one of my posts. It’s a short amount of time, but it can make a difference, resulting in new advocates and business opportunities. 

3. Create original content.
Think of LinkedIn as another site for sharing thought leadership. Don’t be political or mean-spirited or do anything that puts your job or reputation at risk. However, do exercise the creative freedom to write an in-depth piece that will be valuable to your network. It could be on your industry or a niche field you’re interested in personally — anything that communicates your experience and passion is a plus. The best part is that you don’t have to contend with an outside editor who might tear the piece apart.

See all 10 things and the complete Forbes article

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

8 LinkedIn Features You're Not Using (But Should Be)

By Young Entrepreneur Council

Since its launch, LinkedIn has been the go-to social media platform for professionals in every industry. From its ability to connect like-minded businesses and career-focused professionals to its groups dedicated to fostering community and thought leadership, it’s a very powerful tool for companies, in more ways than one.
When it comes to utilizing the platform to its fullest extent, there may be some surprising strategies that most companies, including yours, may be overlooking. Below, a panel of entrepreneurs each shared one crucial LinkedIn feature your company should be using, and why each is so effective. 

LinkedIn Jobs

It makes sense that LinkedIn, a platform for professionals, is a prime spot to post your job opening. And yet, Andy Karuza, founder of FenSens, says he's come across a surprising number of companies that still aren't using LinkedIn Jobs.
"The companies I know that do use LinkedIn are having fantastic results with more qualified candidates -- and lots of them," Karuza says. "I think the best feature is that you can clearly see people's LinkedIn profiles, which includes recommendations, so you can learn a little bit more than just seeing a resume."

LinkedIn Pulse

If you've ever received a notification that someone in your LinkedIn network has published an article, you've proven that LinkedIn Pulse, the platform's self-publishing tool, works. This easy-to-use feature allows brands to upload content, receive feedback and share it with others, says Stephanie Wells, founder of Formidable Forms.
"Few businesses leverage this feature," Wells says. "It's super effective because like-minded professionals are already on there scanning content, so it might as well be yours."

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

5 STEPS TO BUILDING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS USING LINKEDIN

by 


Many entrepreneurs face challenges with determining what social media platform to use to connect them with the right audience. Attracting new business in the ever-changing digital age can be a long, arduous process, but creating strategic partnerships is a smart path to success.
“Finding the right strategic partnership can be the difference between having a successful business or just making it,” explains Deborrah Ashley, LinkedIn Marketing Strategist.
Entrepreneurs and leaders are now turning to LinkedIn to find and cultivate strategic partnerships. However, before setting up or updating your profile, here are a few tips to leverage LinkedIn to build strategic partnerships.

1) KNOW YOUR OUTCOME

The key to creating the right strategic partnerships is understanding the desired outcome. Whether it is brand awareness, lead generation, or to be known as a brand authority or thought leader, understanding your goals for using LinkedIn is important. This helps you to connect with the right professionals, entrepreneurs, clients, or customers.

2) OPTIMIZE YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE

The profile picture is the first impression of you. Have a professional or industry-related profile picture that aligns with your brand or desired messaging.
The headline is the section at the top of the profile for a professional description in 120 characters or less. Customizing the profile description will help you to distinguish yourself. Ashley also recommends having the “about” section completed as well as getting testimonials from current or past co-workers or clients.
Customizing the banner image of your LinkedIn profile is a great way to brand your expertise or key message. The standard default blue banner will not optimize your professional identity. LinkedIn allows users to customize their banner image.
“Showcasing industry qualifications, accreditation, or media mentions will build credibility. This could be the deciding factor for possible strategic partners. Also, highlighting your contact information on the banner image makes it easier for people to connect with you,” shares Ashley.

See steps 3-5 and the complete article

Thursday, October 31, 2019

7 LinkedIn Mistakes That Will Make You Look Unprofessional

By: Todd Clarke

Your LinkedIn page and profile is your online billboard. It’s your chance to show and share your personal brand.

That is, if you do things right—not wrong.

Because too many people make too many mistakes when it comes to self-promoting on LinkedIn.

You want to show up as your very best on LinkedIn—the most ‘professional’ of all networks. So you can look like a pro. Get hired as a pro. Maybe even find business as a pro.

Here’s a list of seven common (and not-so-common) LinkedIn mistakes that make citizens of this social network look unprofessional.

Consider them to avoid getting fired before getting hired.

Yes, many of these are common sense. And yes, many people still commit these LinkedIn offences.

But not you. Not anymore.

No more hurting your credibility. No more being unclear about your expertise. No more making it hard for others to connect with you.

Let’s start from the top, literally.

4. Weak (or no) summary

Why it’s a problem

You’re wasting an opportunity to ‘continue your story’ that you started with your headline.
Just. Write. It.
It’s often the only part of your profile visitors will read (after your headline). Think of this section as your elevator pitch.

What to do about it

You’re more than just the summation of your job experience.
As such, don’t force your viewers to connect your work experience sections into a tidy story about you. That part is on you.
Some elements to consider for your concise story:
  • Who, what, why, when, and how
  • Core skills (commit to the few, versus the many)
  • Why you do what you do
  • What big problems you solve
  • Show any numbers
Write in the first person, because this is personal. Writing in 3rd person sounds pompous, and not personal. I mean it.

And of course, speak like a human, not a bot. Ditch the jargon, cliches, and baseless claims.

Remember the mantra… clear over clever. And 7 other tips for writing clearly.

“I’m passionate about transforming organizations into innovative, people-centric, businesses with a repeatable process that delights customers.”

Oh please.

“Specialized, leadership, passionate, strategic, experienced, focused, energetic, creative…”

Lose them all.

If you knew visitors would only read your summary, what do you want them to remember about you?

6. No personal message for your invite

Do I really need to list this mistake? Guess so, because I get invites like this too often. You probably do, too.

Why it’s a problem

You sound impersonal and provide no useful reason for connecting.
Why should someone blindly hit the ‘accept’ button when it feels like this…
Hi there.
You don’t know me. We never met. Never worked together. I live far, far away. And not sure we have anything in common.
However, why not add you (a complete stranger) to my trusted network?
You in?

What to do about it

Connect with a purpose. State that purpose in your request to connect.
A few reasons for connecting could be…
  • You read and appreciated their blog post
  • Maybe they could use your skills in the future
  • Maybe there’s a reason to partner and do business together
  • You know someone in common
You don’t need to write much, in fact, don’t. Be clear and succinct with your reason for connecting.

See all 7 mistakes, how to correct them, and the complete Hootsuite blog post.




Wednesday, October 16, 2019

LinkedIn Adds New Hub For Meeting In Person

By
 
LinkedIn took professional networking online. Now it wants to help people network in person again.

The Microsoft-owned social media network for professionals announced Tuesday that it's adding a new feature called Events that lets users organize in-person meetings. The new feature, which goes live in English speaking countries on Thursday, allows users to send out invites and provides attendees a place to discuss event details. 

Hosts can use filters search to search their networks for people they want to invite, including by location, company, industry, and school. Users can also make their events searchable so that others can join the events as well. 

Read the full Fortune article
 

Saturday, June 22, 2019

5 People You Should Ask For LinkedIn Recommendations

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez

LinkedIn recommendations are a tremendous asset to your job search. You can quickly and easily point a potential employer to your LinkedIn profile and they’ll be able to see verifiable references and recommendations of the quality of your work and the results you deliver. Positive words can be powerful motivators.


So, how do you choose the right people to request a recommendation from? And how do you know if they’ll give you a good recommendation?



2. The Team Player

When you work in a team on a specific project and the collaboration is a success, that’s the time to ask your teammates to write a recommendation for you based on the outcome and collaboration of that specific project. You can also return the favor; since you worked together you’ll be able to easily attest to their work ethic, problem solving, communication, teamwork, fresh ideas, motivation—the list goes on…



5. The Board Or Volunteer Head

Are you an active member of a nonprofit or involved in volunteering for a great cause? Ask someone who oversees the organization to recommend you for the work you’ve been doing. Not only is this more positive PR for your profile, but it shows your interests and desire to help others.


Have some additional ideas for great LinkedIn recommendation requests? Share them here; I’d love to hear them! And while LinkedIn is on your mind I’d love to connect so feel free to send me an invitation here.


See all 5 people and the complete Careerealism article

Friday, June 21, 2019

17 Ways To Post On LinkedIn To Get Noticed



Andrew is a Baby Boomer and Director at a Fortune 500 company that I was working with last week to write his LinkedIn profile when I asked him why he didn’t post on LinkedIn. He was trying to get more attention for himself while looking for a specific kind of job. He has never posted before and needed some guidance on exactly what to put out there. I turned to Hannah Morgan, a guru of job search information.

Before becoming a job search strategist and facilitator, Morgan of Rochester New York spent time working in HR recruiting where a lot of hiring was going on. She also worked for Lee Hecht Harrison doing outplacement classes and I asked for her advice.

I asked why people don’t post and she noted three reasons:

#1 they don’t know what to post

#2 they worry it’s self-promotion

#3 they don’t realize it is important to post and share with their network

The easiest thing to do is post about your job, occupation, your company, your industry and share that with your network. If you found it on LinkedIn, then just re-share it. A good place to find articles is Twitter. Also, consider the following business newsfeeds and be the first to post big business news. You need to be fast on these within the first couple hours of when the story breaks. Mergers, Acquisitions, major new product releases. I recommend you follow the NY Times and Bloomberg. You must add a comment before you post. Pick out a key point or simply ask a question.

Why take the time to post

When you share it shows up in the news feed of all the people that you’re connected to. This keeps you up-to-date with your group and the shares can engage others and get you on the radar of people in front of your network. It might also attract the attention of a recruiter or HR person.

One misstep to avoid is do not share anything negative on social media. Always say something positive, for example, maybe your company is doing a layoff don’t post “oh my old company downsizing again.” Remember words live forever on social media so be overly cautious about what you put out there, Morgan recommends.

People using LinkedIn expect to see posts in their feed that are professional (work-related), helpful, educational, useful, and/or informative.

What to Post
Are you looking for ideas for what to post on LinkedIn? Morgan offered 16 different types of status updates you can adapt and use.

1. Ask a question. Start a conversation about something in your field or industry or ask for advice. You want to get comments to your questions as this keeps the post live in other people’s feed. 

2. Use hashtags. If you want to make sure that people notice the content of what you’re posting, just use hashtags. You can use up to three. so if you are writing about the company say for example your writing about T-Mobile you would do #TMobile or if you’re writing about your industry you would do #finance as this allows your information to get more attention and possibly a recruiter might be looking for it.

3. Share a Video. You may not feel comfortable on camera, but you can share a video that educates or inspires.

See all 17 ways and the complete Forbes article

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Eight Content Creation Mistakes That Ruin Your Personal Brand On LinkedIn