How to Influence Your Brand On LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the largest networking platform in the world. A professional brand represents the skills, values, personality, and achievements that differentiate you from competitors. Did you know there are 830 million profiles on LinkedIn? Every second more people sign up to create profiles on this platform, so you never know who will see yours. A powerful LinkedIn profile highlights your relevant experience, educational background, volunteer dedication, organization affiliations, and references to potentially inform your target audience that you’re qualified. Potential employers, prospects, partnerships, and customers are looking, but is your brand building trust?

Optimizing your LinkedIn profile should be at the top of your professional brand priority list.? This means that every component of the profile is completely filled out to inform employers or customers who you are, your area of expertise, and what impact you have. The “Featured Section” for instance is a great way to display your accomplishments. Users can post a short 30 second welcome message, portfolio, newspaper articles, website links, awards, and certifications. Likewise, the about section should answer why your target audience wants to work with you. Towards the bottom of the profile is the “Recommendations Section”. This is a great way to earn credibility from first degree connections that have experienced your leadership skills at work, technical skills through volunteer commitment, and products purchased.? Once a profile is fully optimized, it skyrockets your rank in a search.

Another opportunity to influence your brand on LinkedIn is to post content consistently. Providing valuable content is a quick way to build trust with connections. Similar to social media platforms, when first degree connections share posts with popular hashtags, their respective network will see it. This reflects a multitude of views on your page that extends the reach of your brand. In all, quality content opens the chance for people to want to connect with you.

Reaching the 500 first degree connection milestone on LinkedIn is significant because it enhances your rank in a search. In all, the more connections you add will increase your exposure to more views based on LinkedIn’s algorithm. Now is the time to add relevant connections to your profile. For instance, I have 7,100 first degree connections, but have 1.3 million second degree connections. In other words, I have mutual connections with 1.3 million people that can introduce me to recruiters, prospects, and customers - but one must build quality relationships with connections first, before requesting a favor . Jim Rohn was right when he said “Your network is your net worth”. Don’t be afraid to put yourself professionally out there! If you don’t receive a response, that’s okay, you have millions of other people to connect with. If you’re looking for a new job, I recommend connecting with recruiters, human resources, and the same title you’re interested in. Contrarily, if you’re a business owner, I suggest connecting with vendors and prospects.?

Overall, LinkedIn is an effective tool to promote your brand due to the endless possibilities, but in order to improve your rank in a search are to optimize your LinkedIn profile, post quality content, and actively connect with leaders in your industry.

-Tiara Swain, MBA