Getting ready to take LinkedIn by its scary blue horns in 2023?
Here’s some of my advice and predictions for 2023 for you to create an authentic and visible profile that attracts genuine people.?
Build a network full of profiles who are here for the right reasons (of course, we all know why we are here – to build connections and get business right?) and doing it in the way you can relate to.?Real people.?Nice conversations.?No pushy-pitchers or bullies allowed, thank you.
This is the year to get stuck in and get results for your business.
- Don't rely on AI to write your content. It might be tempting but it takes out your personality?and tone. Use AI as a starting point and then add your own words to show it’s you who's writing to your audience, not just a few keywords chucked into a generator. If you are going to post AI generated content, then be sure you are able to answer any questions about it in the comments!
- Talk to people with your own voice and character when replying to comments or content. Refer to the post and what it’s about, ask a question, be supportive, bring a new point, ask for the author to clarify something. The WORST thing about only posting brief comments - it looks "pod-like" and that is seen as a spammy and disingenuous way of interacting on LinkedIn.?
- Make use of any of LinkedIn's native tools for content eg polls and slider posts. Vary your content.?This shows to other profiles that you are here on the platform and not just scheduling posts from software. Plus, these posts formats do encourage more views as they are interactive, and easier to consume.
- It's going to get even busier and even LOUDER. Be wise with your attention. Who deserves it? Who reciprocates? Who's creating drama to build their following? Press mute ???on any profiles that overwhelm you or waste time and energy! This is not good for introverted type energies either.
- Make use of LinkedIn's captions feature. They are extremely accurate and free to use. Use the #captioned
hashtag. Apart from the obvious accessibility reasons, a high percentage of viewers choose to watch videos with the sound off, like Bieber (not a fan, honestly!) says - it's a no-brainer.
- As AI develops further, comments will could be generated in order to respond to posts. It will be interesting to see this if this happens. I predict there will be a divide in profiles who use AI and those who don't. To make sure your comments are authentic, I advise to add in some personalisation eg refer to a previous conversation, a particular event and so on. Inside jokes with the author and things like that work well.
- Develop an inner-circle in your network. No, I'm not talking about a pod, these are large groups of people who comment on others content and it’s very fake and is disingenuous.?Sometimes these are paid for and sometimes not.?Inner circles are supportive groups who support each other and their content, but there’s no pressure to do this on a daily schedule.
- Create an authentic profile by creating “checks” when connecting with others. I predict this method will increase in popularity due to a) more users, b) again, use of AI, c) bad advice from influencers.?Examples for how to check if a profile is genuine – use a question or secret word in your profile, send a friendly message after connecting and see if there’s a response.?Also (and I can't stress this enough) if you are building your network or just starting out - connect more across real content and conversations, it really does help.?
- If you haven’t done video yet on LinkedIn, 2023 is the time to start.?Short form video is all the rage thanks to Stories, Reels and Tik Tok.?Personally - and professionally - I know consuming a lot of short form video is very bad for our brains and attention span.?However, including some short form video in your content strategy will create visibility and authenticity. Need a starting tip??Take content you have written and just get used to reading them out on video to practice eg a few tips or an introduction to yourself – even 30 seconds. You can build up to it if you are an introvert and it can take time but get the support as you CAN do it.?(Video trauma survivor here.)
- Check in on people more using direct messages and start more conversations. I predict there will be an increase in video messages or voice messages as more and more people want to talk to a real person, not interact with bots and generated copy. Personalisation will be valued and the time taken to show up ourselves and help in a specific way with ideas that can only be created from paid services will be king!
One last thing...PLEASE! We should write our profiles using our own words.?Copying and pasting from a job description or spec is a wee bit boring.?If you struggle, write bullet points about yourself and ask for support from someone 'in the know' to expand on them.?You have so much going for you -?what do clients say about you??How do they describe your help??Talk in the first person (I don’t think I have ever, ever heard someone say a LinkedIn profile written in the third person was approachable and authentic ??)
What more would you add to this list of activities as advice for LinkedIn in 2023?
Let me know what you think of this article, if you have any questions or need help.
And if you'd like some help in getting your profile visible on LinkedIn, download my free Content Prompts (written especially for introverts) here
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Visual Content Creator ???? | Capture & Multiply Attention with Social Media Mastery for Business Owners & Managing Directors
1 年Love every word of your article, Jessica. And here is a true but slightly embarrassing story about my experience of starting with video messages at the end of 2022. On Wednesday evening, the 28th of December, I set up my home studio for video recording the next day. I was very excited and looking forward to filming 20 personalised video messages ( one of them was for you ) But sadly, on Thursday morning, I walk up with a terrible cold, scratchy voice and a bunch of blemishes all over my face. Ahh... Did that stop me from wishing you a happy new year in person? Yes, yes, it did ?? But you're right, Jessica 2023 will be the year of video content for many, and I'll finally show up with a few words, especially for my Linkedin inner circle ??
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1 年Thank you, Jessica. Some very good advice here. Some of this comes naturally to me. And the advice about AI is interesting. I am not very up to date with this area - don't get this idea of content generated in this way. Seems to ignore the fact that we are all human, and not everything can be solved by tech. But that's me on another hobby horse! A question for you - what percentage video? I was doing a lot of video and was getting some good engagement on other channels. But I do find it very time consuming. And I didn't necessarily find that it increased my views on LI. Anyway, thoughts?
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1 年These are fantastic Jess. I definitely need to do more video. You are right about AI authenticity is so important in building relationships.
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1 年Jessica Jones I’ll be reading this later
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1 年Some brilliant advice in there Jessica ?? I agree there will be much more content this year and more AI content coming so being unique and building those personal relationships will really be key. ??