The 15 Most Frequently Asked Questions About LinkedIn

TikTok and Instagram Reels may be the new kids in the social media family but you will be making a big mistake if you neglect the middle child... LinkedIn!

Here are answers to the 15 most frequently asked questions about LinkedIn:

Q1: Why should I be posting on LinkedIn? 

A: Every week, LinkedIn has 9 billion impressions but only 3 million pieces of content. This means there is a large amount of organic reach and opportunity for your content to be seen by more people (compared to Facebook & Instagram). LinkedIn is also full of ready buyers looking for solutions. The algorithm has something called slow decay which means your post can stay in people’s feeds for up to 2 weeks (compared to a few hours for other social media platforms). Lastly, your posts can reach up to the 6th degree connections, the extended networks of your connections.

Q2: What should my headline say?

A: It should say who you serve what your value is to your target market. The format that I’ve found works well is: ‘I help who solve what type of problems’. For example, I help chefs in Singapore build passive income so they can retire comfortably at any age they want.

Q3: I’m just getting started on LinkedIn, who should I add?

A: Start by adding back all your customers, friends and ex-colleagues first. Don’t exceed 100 outbound connection requests per day.

Q4: I’m new to LinkedIn, what sections of my profile should I focus on?

A: Start with headline and recommendations (testimonials). Be specific with the information on your profile. The algorithm will serve your profile to your target audience.

Q5: What should I write in my bio?

A: Tell your audience why you decided to be a financial consultant. Also share what makes you different from other people in your profession. Share the problems that you help people solve. End with a call to action (e.g., inviting them to a Zoom call) and leave your contact details so they can get in touch with you.

Q6: What profile picture should I use?

A: Make sure your picture is a close up of your face and eyes, helps capture people’s attention. Also, change the background to be a coloured one.

Q7: What type of content should I be posting on LinkedIn?

A: If you’re not a fan of photos or videos and/or you prefer to write, LinkedIn is the platform for you! LinkedIn prefers short sentences (around 7-9 max) as opposed to long paragraphs. The first three sentences are the most important. Focus your content on these three things:

• 1)   How to’s (e.g., tutorials in the form of listicles – articles as a list)
• 2)   Personal experiences (e.g., things that have happened to you in the form of stories or documenting your work life behind the scenes)
• 3)   Success stories (e.g., share your customer’s testimonials and their journey working with you)

Always end with a call to action (e.g., asking a question or for their opinion) and call out who you want to see your content (as the LinkedIn algorithm is very smart and will serve your content to those types of people).

Q8: What type of content will I be shown in my LinkedIn feed?

A: LinkedIn wants to show you content by people that you know, talking about things you care about. It favours personal connections over super connections.

Q9: How can I increase my chances of getting my content seen by others?

A: Before you post, interact with other people’s content on LinkedIn for 30-60 minutes. This could be influencers you want to build a relationship with or your prospects’ content. It also encourages reciprocity for interactions your content.

Q10: Why is interacting with other people’s content important?

A: On LinkedIn, velocity = speed. Your content will be promoted by the algorithm if you have a lot of engagement within the first hour. 

Q11: How can this help us as insurance agents?

A: You can start getting customers on LinkedIn by adding your existing customers. If they engage with your content, their friends and extended networks will see your content and therefore your profile.

Q12: What should I write in my description?

A: Start with saying who are you and why you’re in the business line you’re in. Follow with what makes your you or your company different from others. Also share the immediate problem that you can help your prospects with (e.g., if you’re looking for higher quality steel with a shorter lead time, you can reach me at (number). Lastly, let them know they can read about your recommendations towards the bottom of your profile and invite them to connect.

Q13: Should I use the Featured section of the profile?

A: Yes! Use it to give value in the form of something that is useful and specific to your target market (e.g., a free report - 3 things that oil and gas companies can do right now to thrive during COVID-19!). You can also use it to showcase articles that you’ve written or simply some of your achievements and awards you’ve received. Lastly, you could also feature pictures of you speaking or content that increases your credibility.

Q14: Do hashtags work on LinkedIn?

A: Hashtags work differently on LinkedIn compared to other platforms. They help the LinkedIn algorithm to narrow down your content which LinkedIn then uses to show people who will be most interested in that type of content. Use 2-3 hashtags that relate to your content. Be specific with your hashtags.

Q15: What if our personal connections are people in the same business or potential competition?

A: Stop adding them and unfriend/unconnect with them if you need to. However, if your competitors’ connections/network are potential customers of yours, by all means connect with them (if your competitors interact with your content, their customers will see it).

Do you have more questions about LinkedIn? Ask me in the comment section.