Grow your personal brand through LinkedIn by using these 5 tips.

(5 minute read for fast readers)

This is a list post with some pre-amble.

I like list posts.

Little bite size titbits that are easy to skim read and supposedly break the LI algorithm ??

Now that lord of business Gary Vee has declared LinkedIn as the new Instagram; a huge influx of entrepreneurs are flocking into the network.

So, I thought I’d share my learnings from prioritising LinkedIn over all other types of social.

Start with why (as usual)

Id first ask yourself why do you want to build a following on LinkedIn?

Mine was that I founded a people focused company that does amazing things in the right way. I wanted to share the positivity we have created through being kind, open, honest and trustworthy.

So my primary goal is to share the vision, purpose and values of my company to a wider network of good people doing good business that changes the world for the better.

There are so many other companies just like mine. I admire so many and want to build a community with them, and ideally do business with them.

To exist successfully in such a competitive world, it does you a lot of favours by having a personal brand (normally the founder) driving the company one. It helps drive the honesty of your message and reveals your culture to those you want to do business with.

Building a professional, personal brand through LinkedIn also reflects on the overall ambition of your mission. Ambition is one of our brand values here at Point.HQ so hence I'm posting more than I used to.

I joined LinkedIn in 2005, use it at the expense of all other social networks, and for me it has been a valuable tool at John Lewis, and TLC but particuarly now at The Point.1888.

So, here’s my smorgasbord of tips to get the most out of LinkedIn.

1. invest time in it.

Sounds obvious but if you want to make LinkedIn work for you, invest time in it. Time is more valuable than money so actually costs more even though you think it’s free.

Start today by investing 10 mins everyday on your newsfeed and network invitations. The more time you invest the better your results. Ignore other networks for now.

2. Know what you stand for and start posting.

You need to have some relevant business topics that you really care about 100% and start posting about them all the time. Every day if you can. No one will like your posts. For ages. Be resilient and never ever give up.

3. Have an opinion. Liking others posts isn’t enough.

Be bold. Be brave. Likes are fine. Be promiscuous with those but commenting on others content is really important. If you’re going to comment on someone else’s post then have a fucking opinion. We are all guilty of dumping a simple “well done” on a post but it’s always better if you add an opinion to the conversation and add some value to the debate.

4. Embrace your vulnerability

It’s just the way of the world. If you want to build a profile on LinkedIn you need to be thick skinned and prepared for people hating you.

Better to be hated then ignored.

As soon as you post it’s out there; but if you embrace your vulnerabilities, if you truly believe in something, if you can fight your corner but also be prepared to be wrong you can build conversations and build your network. Being honest exposes your vulnerabilities but it certainly makes you more likable.

5. Be kind.

Such an overlooked USP in business these days but be kind to your network. Do like and love their posts. Whilst “number of likes” remains visible on social networks, our brains are all unfortunately trained to release endorphins when those numbers grow.

If someone wins an award and is proud of it then show them some digital love. It’s free anyway.

Passing thought

If you follow these lessons religiously you will be the new Richard Branson inside 12 months.