17 Lessons Learned on LinkedIn in 17 Years

So, this morning, LinkedIn informed me that I’ve been participating in this dynamic platform for 17 years!

My journey on this platform has been nothing short of enlightening and has blown open doors, connected me with some of the best people I know, and allowed me to be where I am today. I'm excited to share the invaluable lessons I've picked up along the way.

So, buckle up as we delve into the 17 things you can learn from being on LinkedIn.

1. Spend Time on Your Profile:

Your LinkedIn profile is your digital business card. I learned the importance of presenting a professional, yet authentic, image through a well-crafted profile that highlights my skills, experiences, and aspirations. Add in your personality and let people get to know you.

2. Give Before You Get in Networking:

LinkedIn is all about building connections, but it's not just about what you can get. Actively engage in conversations, support others, and foster a genuine sense of community. We can all sense the "takers" immediately.

3. The Power of Endorsements and Recommendations:

Don't shy away from endorsing your colleagues or requesting recommendations. These serve as a testament to your skills and work ethic, adding credibility to your profile.

4. Meaningful Content Matters:

Sharing relevant and insightful content positions you as a thought leader in your industry. I discovered that contributing valuable information fosters engagement and attracts like-minded professionals.

5. Consistency is Key:

Consistent activity keeps you on the radar. Regularly updating your profile, sharing content, and engaging with others showcase your commitment to the professional sphere.

6. Embracing the Learning Culture:

LinkedIn is a treasure trove of knowledge. Joining relevant groups, following influencers, and participating in discussions expose you to diverse perspectives and continuous learning opportunities.

7. Building a Personal Brand:

Your unique identity is your brand. I realized the importance of curating a personal brand that aligns with my professional goals and resonates with my target audience.

8. Don't Underestimate the Power of a Good Headline:

Scrap the idea of an elevator pitch (those aren’t effective anyways) and think about how you would describe what you do in 3-5 seconds. Make it unique and memorable so it’s easily understood and transferable.

9. Intentionality in Connection Requests:

Quality over quantity is the name of the game when it comes to connection requests. Be strategic and personalize your invitations. Also, be mindful of your intent when connecting and come into any and all connections ready to give/serve first.

10. Embracing the Art of Messaging:

When reaching out to connections, I learned that a thoughtful, personalized message goes a long way. Be clear about your intentions and find common ground to initiate meaningful conversations. Be different and spend a little time creating a memorable intro.

11. Staying Informed Through Notifications:

LinkedIn notifications are your eyes and ears on the platform. Regularly checking and responding to notifications keep you updated on the latest in your network and industry.

12. Leveraging LinkedIn Learning:

LinkedIn Learning offers a plethora of courses to enhance your skills. Take advantage of this resource to stay relevant and competitive in your field. I have learned a TON of different things that have helped me professionally through LinkedIn Learning.

13. Engaging with Company Pages:

Following and engaging with company pages allows you to stay abreast of industry trends and company news, which is critical for client service and prospecting. If you’re staying in the know, you can create more value-added content.

14. Show Me You Know Me:

Shoutout to Samantha McKenna and the team at #samsales Consulting on this one as I use it personally and give them love in all my sales kickoff keynotes. When getting to know someone new, whether it’s networking, prospecting, or learning more about the client team you’re working with, read their profiles. By finding commonalities, interesting facts, what content they’re engaging with, you can be much more thoughtful in your interactions, making relationships easier and quicker to develop.

15. Don’t Be Afraid to Be Vulnerable:

I have seen and been a part of many dynamic conversations and connections that started with someone saying “I don’t know” “Help” or “Can anyone recommend?” When we open up to help, we build bridges. I’ve made lifelong friends starting from restaurant recommendations to mental health struggles on here.

16. Be Flexible in Your Message Medium:

I honestly gave up chasing algorithms a long time ago and just switched my mentality to how I can impact and help people the most, while also realizing that people ingest content differently. Don’t be afraid of a blog, newsletter, podcast, video variety. Video and livestreaming is honestly one of my favorites for building rapport and sharing my brand.

17. Balancing Professionalism and Authenticity:

While professionalism is key, authenticity is equally important. Be genuine in your interactions, share your unique perspective, and let your personality shine through. People do business with and recommend people they like. Sure, you can do the thing, but are you a genuinely nice person? Personality goes a much longer way.

Bonus: Aggressive Sales Pitches Via InMail:

Just stop it, please.