LinkedIn is one of those websites that is a mix of both social networking and professional networking. That exact statement is why people may feel a little hesitant about becoming a member. It can be very intimidating at first.
The question roaming the nation is:
“Why do I need to get a LinkedIn and what’s the point?”
LinkedIn is known as social media tailored to the professional network. It helps people of all ages (not only Generation Y) to connect to professionals around the world. The point of LinkedIn is to be connected with colleagues and people in all industries to expose their experience and abilities. Also, it lets businesses and organizations demonstrate and display their hard work to customers, potential clients, and even potential employers.
We have come up with a list of helpful hints that will greatly help and strengthen your LinkedIn profile:
1. First and foremost: It is “LinkedIn” not “Linked In”. All one word. Easy mistake.
2. Keep your contact information up to date: What’s the point of even having a LinkedIn if your current phone number and email isn’t on there. You want people to reach you, that’s the whole reason you are on LinkedIn.
3. Use a professional looking photo: Any photo is better than no photo. But please don’t put pictures of you on a boat in your sunglasses on your LinkedIn page. People will not find you to be professional.
4. Have a specific job title: Underneath your name on your profile, make sure your “professional headline” is correct. This is your current job title and will show others (even those who aren’t connections) your business role and a very brief description. This should be an attention grabber.
5. Know the distinction between a personal LinkedIn page and a company LinkedIn page: A company LinkedIn page is basically to look for potential clients and employees and inform others about your business. Every company should be on there to help build the business and for network and marketing purposes.
With your personal LinkedIn page, you are connected with people you know who may be colleagues, past and future employers/employees, and even current clients and past clients. Basically, it is all about networking. The more people you know, the more opportunities you will have.
Don’t mix up a LinkedIn personal page with a business page.
6. Post Relevant things: If you have a LinkedIn, it is for professional use. The stuff you post to your friends about your social life is not appropriate, keep that to Facebook!
7. Endorse, Endorse, Endorse: Endorsing someone on LinkedIn basically means you are recommending them for their professional skills. The skills can range from sales to lead generation to customer service. I’m not saying endorse every single connection for all of their skills, but the more endorsements you give, the more you will receive. The more you have on your profile, the more professional you will appear. General LinkedIn “code” means if someone endorses you, return the favor. It will work out in your benefit. You can also ask for endorsements, there is nothing wrong with trying to build your LinkedIn standing.
8. Respond to personal messages: Even if you don’t want to, that person could be a great connection down the road, you never know. LinkedIn is all about creating new relationships. It could be a business inquiry or just to network, so at least send a short response back to let them know you care.
9. Respond to others posts: LinkedIn is all about being connected and participating in other business related articles or pictures. Don’t just sit back and scroll through posts. The more active you are in others, the more you will be noticed by other companies and connections.
10. When sending invitations (or “friend requests”), don’t use the generic LinkedIn message: The same generic invitation message gets sent out every single day and users know that this is the message LinkedIn came up with. Come on, that’s weak. Put a little bit of effort into it so your new connection knows you aren’t lazy.
11. The only bad thing about LinkedIn would be NOT having one: So…either make a profile or update what you have. You may find out that you are a hot commodity!
