How Do You Begin the Ascent to Influence and Build Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn?

Recently, a friend and former colleague reached out asking how she could elevate her LinkedIn presence and become an advocate for her employer. While she didn't use the exact words, her ambition was clear: she aimed to make her content not just visible but truly outstanding on LinkedIn.

She was on the hunt for resources - books, articles, any guide that could pave her way to becoming a LinkedIn ??Superstar??! Ok, ok, not a superstar per se, but at least have an impact with the content she shared and her increased activity.

After combing through my past articles, I realized that while many offered bits and pieces of advice, none provided a comprehensive roadmap - a step by step guide. That sparked the idea for this article - a concise guide to help anyone looking to make a significant impact on LinkedIn with engaging, insightful content.

So here are 10 steps to increasing your influence on LinkedIn!

1. Set Your Stage ??

Your LinkedIn profile is your digital handshake, your first impression to the world. So, let's make it count! Update your profile with a professional yet approachable photo, craft a headline that captures your essence (not your current role), and write a summary that narrates your unique journey (that's the About section of your profile). Visualize your profile as a personal billboard on the digital highway of your industry. Make it so captivating that people can't help but stop and take notice! ?

Further reading: "12 Ways to Make Your LinkedIn Profile Stand Out" via TopResume

2. Plan Like a Pro ??

Consistency is key, but so is variety. Map out a content calendar that includes posting 2-3 times a week to keep your audience engaged without overwhelming them. If that tempo is too much, stick with one post a week, or every two weeks. Start with whatever you can manage at the moment. Here's a simple thematic approach to get you started:

• Motivation Mondays ??: Kick off the week with uplifting quotes or share personal achievements to inspire your network.
• Wisdom Wednesdays ??: Midweek, share industry insights, helpful tips, or thought-provoking articles.
• Fun Fridays ??: Wrap up the week on a light note with hobbies, fun facts, or anything that showcases your personality.

Further reading: "LinkedIn Content Strategy for Personal Branding - A Practical Guide + Strategy Example" by Ivana Todorovic

3. Content Kitchen ??

Batch-creating content is like meal-prepping for the week - it saves time and ensures you have a variety of posts ready to go. Carve out time each week to write, design, or gather content. Tools like Canva for visuals and Hootsuite or Buffer for scheduling can be your best friends in the content kitchen, helping you whip up delicious posts that your audience will devour. If you plan them, write them, and schedule them of the weekend (as I am for this article), then you'll be free to vacate to you main activities during the week.

4. Engage, Engage, Engage! ??

The magic of social media lies in the 'social' part. Don't just broadcast; interact. Dedicate a few minutes daily to engage with your network through likes, comments, and shares - say 5 reactions per day, and one comment on the best post that caught your attention. Authentic interactions build relationships and foster a community around your content. And remember, commenting is THE best way to give visibility to a post.

5. Learn and Pivot ??

Use LinkedIn's analytics as a compass to guide your content strategy. Notice which types of posts garner the most engagement and tailor your content accordingly. Experiment, learn from the feedback, and be willing to adjust your sails to the winds of audience preference. And don't hesitate to look at the content those you follow who have lots of great content, with dozens of reactions and comments. What are they posting? What type of content? When are they posting these great insights?

6. Be Consistently You ??

Authenticity is magnetic. Let your content be a reflection of your true self, and don't shy away from sharing your perspectives and experiences. Your genuine voice will resonate with people and attract a community that values real connection. Don't be one of thousands of experts in your field, now's your time to stand out. To plant your flag, share your thoughts, engage authentically with your followers, current and future!

7. Automation Ally ??

Scheduling tools are like having a personal assistant for your social media. They can help you post at the optimal times when your audience is most active. See point no.3 for some great tools. The more content you're able to plan ahead, the more efficient you'll be and the more content you'll be able to push out without taking too much of your time. However, don't let automation replace real-time engagement. Balance is key.

8. Quick Snack Content ??

Not every piece of content needs to be a deep dive. Sometimes, a quick poll, a brief tip, or an engaging question can spark conversations and keep your audience involved. Think of these as the snacks between meals - light, but satisfying. Long form articles (like this one) are great to build a strong personal brand, but sometimes a simple thought pushed out as a post, with no links, no image, can be the perfect format for a quick bite size post.

9. Reward Yourself ??

Set personal milestones and celebrate when you achieve them. Consistent posting for a month? Reward yourself with something that brings you joy. Acknowledging your efforts makes the journey enjoyable and sustainable. And let's be totally honest here: at first, you're more likely to be posting content for a very small audience. So being you're own personal cheerleader will be crucial to get you through the grind of continually posting on a regular basis.

10. Stay Curious ??

The digital landscape is ever-evolving, brimming with new ideas and opportunities. Stay curious and open to learning. Follow thought leaders, join LinkedIn groups relevant to your interests, and participate in discussions. Your engagement outside of your content will fuel your creativity and inspire new posts.

Further reading: "Understanding when and why to follow people on LinkedIn" by Naman Goel

Embracing these strategies will not only enhance your LinkedIn presence but also make the process enjoyable and fulfilling.

Remember, success on LinkedIn is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself, stay authentic, and watch as your network grows and your content shines.

Let's make your LinkedIn journey remarkable! ??

#LinkedInSuccess #ContentCreation #ProfessionalGrowth