5 reasons to be more active on LinkedIn (tips included).

Reflecting on the digital tools I use on a daily basis, I have had my eyes opened when I started using Linkedin for career and business purposes. 

Why should you be using Linkedin more actively? This is a question that still pops up in the heads of people who are reluctant to see value of using this platform. 

So let me tell you about my experience.

When I first signed up on LinkedIn years ago (the platform was actually founded back in 2002), a common understanding was that we would use it only as an online CV or to connect with people we are already know. “Everybody knew” that you only add the people you have worked with previously.

Nowadays, it’s much more than an online CV. It’s not only about connecting with professionals you know, but also about positioning yourself and your business to a larger group of people from various industries.

Why should be you on LinkedIn and how do you start?

Here are some key reasons of why you should leverage the potential on LinkedIn:

1. If you are selling something (we are all selling something, even ourselves), you can increase awareness of your product, service or organization; reach out to more potential customers or position yourself as an opinion leader.
2. If you want recruiters to find you, the larger network you have, the more possible is it that you will show up in their searches. Having only been more active myself for a couple of weeks has already led to some very interesting coffee cups! 
3. You can learn surprisingly much about various industries by reading content that is posted and liked by the people you follow. 
4. You can find your future employees, employers, colleagues or business partners. 
5. You can very easily connect to people who might add value to your career or business. A message on LinkedIn doesn’t cost anything!

The power of connections

Given all the reasons why it’s worth being more active on this platform, my advice is not to be afraid to add new people or accept the invitations you get! 

Some key things to remember for your profile:

• Add some details in your profile! The point is to create a network of relationships. So try to make it as simple as possible for others to get to know more about you. 
• Remember to add a profile picture, a professional one. When the point is to get to know people, a picture speaks volumes! If you don’t have a picture, it doesn’t look like you are an active user, so why would somebody be bothered to spend time looking at your profile? 
• Fill in your profile, don’t only mention the name of the companies you have worked for, but some details of what you have done there!

What about invitation notes?

What should you do when you get an invitation to connect? When you look at a profile, there is no guarantee it's up to date, and you have no idea what opportunities the future could bring. 

So add them! Maybe they could be your future customer, employee or boss? 

SUPER-tip: 99% of people I have ever added that accepted my invitation, did so without even looking at my profile or giving a response to the note I wrote when inviting them (best practise!). To be fair, I have done this too, nothing to be ashamed about, it is efficient! But from now on, when I accept an invitation, I know that people really stand out in a positive way by adding a short reply! If networks are about creating relationships, a short and friendly note is a great way to differentiate yourself from others.

When you send an invitation to connect…Add a short message! 

Why do you want to connect? It can be short, it can be simple. But if you want to access someone’s network, you can at least afford them the courtesy of saying hello first! 

How can you learn more?

Need some help? Many people tell me that they don’t like to use LinkedIn, and it is very clear that people use the platform in different ways. If you actively attempt to learn the possibilities within the platform, I believe you can find some true value for yourself. 

In 2019, LinkedIn is still growing as a professional platform, and it is important that we as users remember this is NOT Facebook, so we should not have the same approach to how we use the two platforms. Facebook is about your friends and family, LinkedIn is about your business or potential business! 

If you and your company are not yet active (at least weekly) on the platform, you still have time to catch up, start today! There are a couple of really good experts out there that can help you out, here or some I have been in contact with personally:

• I attended a great introductory workshop with Christoffer Bertilsson from Linkedin Kurs I am sure he is very happy for anybody in Scandinavia to reach out and show interest in his services.  
• I’ve had a fantastic meeting in Lithuania with Dominyka Venciūt?, she is a personal branding expert that through her company Persona Cognita can help you elevate your brand as she adds an international perspective to her process.  
• Another person that can be helpful is me. I am more than happy to assist from a branding/marketing perspective, also on this platform. 

And, a shameless promotion: feel free to connect with me! 

In the future I will be publishing perspectives on various topics including; #management, #leadership, #employerbranding, #branding, #Marketing, #sponsorship #eventmanagement #culture etc.

Good luck!

-Ragnar Syltevik-