How to Effectively Market Yourself on LinkedIn in 8 Simple Steps

So you’ve recently joined LinkedIn, and you’re probably wondering “What’s next?” Or perhaps you've been using this platform for years, but have found great difficulty in maneuvering its many features and algorithm. You're however keen on learning how this platform has been helping professionals all across the globe land their dream jobs, break into new markets, and build successful companies. Well, worry no more!

Here are a few tips to get you started:

Step 1. Get yourself a professional, well-lit, forward-facing profile photo: The recommended attire depends largely on your industry and local culture. It is important that you understand what are the acceptable standards for professional wear within your industry and your intended market. Don’t take it for granted – a picture still tells a thousand words, and your goal is to ensure that the proverbial “thousand words” are in your favor.

Step 2. Update your Headline: What would you like to be identified as? A Marketing Specialist? Corporate Communications Specialist? Customer Service Representative? Guest Services Manager? Solicitor? Real Estate Agent? Choose a headline that represents how you wish to be viewed in your industry and market – which may or may not be the same as your current job title.

Step 3. Update your Personal Statement: This is your Value Proposition, and should be taken very seriously. Take a look at my personal statement, and please feel free to use it as a guide.

Step 4. Update all fields in your profile: A complete profile helps persons viewing your profile – including recruiters, prospective future employers or business partners – to get a clearer picture of who you are and what you offer.

Step 5. Start using the LinkedIn ‘Search’ feature to find professionals within your field of interest: Start by focusing on those working with brands or organizations you trust and admire, and in cities or regions of interest to you. Don’t be afraid to invite persons in positions of influence within your field of interest to connect. With this, you have made the first major step towards effectively networking on LinkedIn.

Step 6. Start networking: You may notice that like-minded professionals and experts – some of whom you may already be connected with – are posting content regularly. Leave thoughtful comments and share their posts (once you’ve found some value in them). Importantly as well, just drop them a message to let them know that their post resonated with you, and allow a conversation to develop naturally – please, don’t force it. The key is to be sincere about all this, and not ask for anything too soon. You will be amazed at how naturally favors and opportunities arise from consistent, sincere interactions.

Step 7. Start posting your own content: This is so much more important than most people think. Post content that will add value to your network, and that does not send conflicting messages about who you are or what you do. Study what works well on LinkedIn, and take copious notes.

LinkedIn favors compelling, original content in various formats – videos, inspirational posts, informational posts, educational posts, articles... the list just keeps on growing. So if your goal is to reach large audiences within your industry or market, study which formats are best suited to your industry and personal brand, and start working on your material. Until then, continue to share and comment on any valuable material published within your network.

Step 8. Keep refining your profile: Treat your profile as a working document. Keep updating it to ensure that you have the right ‘keywords’ for your industry and market. It is important to note that the keywords for Corporate Communications in New York, are not necessarily the same as those for Corporate Communications in London, Accra, Nairobi, or Kingston.

LinkedIn is a search engine, and the more optimized your profile is for your industry, the more views you are likely to get on your profile from recruiters, prospective future employers, or business partners. Familiarize yourself with the keywords for your industry and market, and ensure to update your profile and ‘Skills’ accordingly.

With these tips, you are well on your way to a more rewarding networking experience on LinkedIn.

If this article has helped you in some way, I invite you to share it within your network. And of course, let's connect!