An Effective LinkedIn Account is an Active and Current Account

LinkedIn is slightly different from other social networks, due to being organised around business, work and career. Although this may not seem very exciting to some, it can be a gold mine when it comes to building new relationships, building trust and making connections. If you’re looking to raise your profile for yourself as an individual or as a business, then you must set up an effective LinkedIn account.

Building Trust

LinkedIn provides a great amount of proof of who you are through its organisation. You can list where you have worked, connect with your peers and colleagues, past and present and grow your network based on your industry, common interests or even niche. You can also ask for and provide recommendations to provide social proof that you have the expertise and character that you say you have in your LinkedIn profile summary.

Maintain the Health of Your LinkedIn Account

Think of LinkedIn as a powerful online CV. There are no limits on polishing your profile and reaching out to other uses. You can also establish your authority by sharing your website blog posts, other information and opinions, all whilst marketing yourself 24/7. Using keywords that businesses and recruiters use to find people like you, you can be found by influencers, recruiters and buyers. It’s also possible to show your achievements in addition to work samples, website links and more that all highlight your expertise and experience.

Keep Your Profile Up to Date

Creating an impressive profile can take time, but the effort is well worth it. Connecting to a broader circle of contacts can do wonders for any business.

The most effective LinkedIn accounts are current and kept active. It’s not something to just set and forget. Invest time each month to keep it updated by adding keywords, information about the projects your currently working on or what your current products and offers are.

You can choose to publicise your network of any changes that you make to your profile, or not. You just need to use the slider located at the bottom left corner when you’re making a change. This can make you more visible, so it’s worth using from time to time.

There are many different tabs for each section on your profile. Work through them adding new content for each tab that is relevant to you and your situation.

Create Great Content for an Effective LinkedIn Account

By adding great content, you can network and pull in extra attention to what you do and have to offer.

Create new posts maybe twice a week. These might be short insights, useful snippets of info or links to value-adding articles. It may even just be content that you think your target audience would find useful. If you want to promote your services or products, then go along the helpful line – not spammy.

Audience Engagement

Just as with other social media sites like Facebook, audience engagement tools such as ‘comment’, ‘like’ or ‘share’ can help to build your audience and understand what’s your audience likes.

SlideShare.net

SlideShare has recently been purchased by the LinkedIn company. As the primary presentation-sharing website online, it’s integrated and worth uploading your PowerPoint slides and then connecting your account to your LinkedIn account.

Articles

By creating and adding unique articles for LinkedIn, you can build a following. It’s an opportunity to highlight your expertise to a professional audience who are hungry for knowledge. Deliver your best content for best results.

You may also want to add LinkedIn to your editorial marketing calendar to make the most of this opportunity.

How to Set up your own Effective LinkedIn Account Profile

If you need help with writing your profile, I’m available for hire. I’ve written hundreds of profiles, from the snappy personal first-person style profile to the professional third-party expertise focused profile. If you hire me on People Per Hour you can also enjoy a £30 discount voucher. Contact me today to create an effective LinkedIn profile.