There are almost 350 million users currently on LinkedIn worldwide. The social networking site has become one of the most influential online resources for job hunting, networking, and overall socializing in a professional setting. However, just because all of these users have signed up for accounts and are aware of the benefits, does not mean every single person is fully embracing the site’s greatest attributes on a regular basis. So many different strategies exist to keep your account maintained and to ensure it looks as vibrant and current as possible.
Do not ignore incoming connection and networking requests.
A handful of new users sign up for accounts every second, so the chances you will receive new connection requests are pretty likely. Leaving your account stagnant with little activity could deter future users from connecting with you. Be cordial when receiving these requests and do your best to acknowledge and accept them in a timely fashion. According to Inc.com, about half of all LinkedIn’s users check their accounts at least once a day, so you should strive to be in that percentage.
Keeping up profile appearances means a lot.
Your profile – whether it’s personal or business – is the first impression you will make with someone else on LinkedIn. Neglecting to add a professional photo and completely fill out your basic information, work history, and skills will not do you or your business any favors. It is also imperative that as any career advancements or important updates happen, they are documented on your profile; having an out-of-date profile can be worse than having no profile at all.
Participating in Groups can help attract new connections.
Becoming regularly involved in LinkedIn Groups can generate new connections for you without much additional effort. This action will help enhance and build your reputation and increase your professional reach. You will be able to speak as an expert in your industry and contribute to discussions with your peers.
LinkedIn is not a band-aid fix.
Your virtual connections are great assets to have, but do not underestimate the power of a face-to-face meeting or interaction. LinkedIn needs to be used to create and sustain relationships, so finding a balance between the social site and actual personal meetings will only contribute to your overall success.
The purpose of LinkedIn is to represent yourself or your company in a professional manner and showcase your skills effectively. There is a plethora of knowledge surrounding how to use your account wisely. For Zywave clients, simply check out the Knowledge Base for updated articles on using LinkedIn for yourself and your agency. Implementing these steps will allow you to become familiar with a few of those best strategies. You will be able to navigate through the social site with ease in no time as you learn to truly take advantage of everything LinkedIn has to offer.