How to use LinkedIn properly, because clearly the game is changing and some of you are falling behind

LinkedIn is a social media platform. SOCIAL. Get over the fact that it's not all business formal. Sometimes things can get a little wild, and there ain't nothing wrong with that!

In the past few months I've come to realize something. There is a trick to getting more profile views, more engagement, more conversation, and overall more visibility on LinkedIn. And I'm going to tell you what it is...

BE AUTHENTIC and BE UNIQUE

Buzzword alert. Yeah yeah. But this time it rings true. Do you actually know how LinkedIn works? Do you understand how your comments on posts you may not agree with can be seen by your already existing network? And that if you disagree with something you have the right to share your opinion, but not criticize or condescend? (I mean freedom of speech gives you this right technically speaking, but it doesn't make you look cool).

Here's the thing... You want to build up your profile so that you can land your dream job, build a network of potential customers, have conversations with colleagues, or recruit the next rockstar. If you're wasting your time patronizing others you've dropped the ball my friend.

You see a post you don't think belongs on LinkedIn? Report it or let it go. Your trolling tactics do more harm than good.

Understand, this is very much a game. 

Connecting and participating on LinkedIn is what the platform is designed for. You have a couple of options about how you want to connect, but end of the day, it's your choice. Connect with everyone, connect with only people you've met, or don't reach out to anyone — your choice. But understand this one fact... Connections = eyeballs. Views count as the ultimate score. You want to be seen? Then be present. 

Here is some thinking I use: I DON'T WANT TO CONNECT WITH EVERYONE. Chances are if we've never met, I'm not accepting your request unless I have a compelling reason to do so. That means:

a) we've had some dialogue
b) I see intrinsic value or potential behind the connection
c) you're someone I am planning on meeting in the near future, or
d) you are a person that I believe I can help or can help me.

NOTE: if you are a business development manager for an offshore development farm or you run black-hat SEO scams in India, you're getting the big X (and potentially flagged).

These are pretty solid rules of engagement — feel free to steal my process.

End of the day, your followers matter, and they can see everything you do (and SHARE everything you do). Be smart about what you have to say, what you like, and what you share. Have a strategy that supports your personal brand. Get yourself a game plan but tie it all back to your authentic self. So quickly people get swept up in what's popular that they abandon who they are — it's easy with social media to wear a digital mask.

Want to grow your profile views? 

Of course you do. Why wouldn't you? Build up your profile, build up your audience, and if you're smart about it, build up the traffic to your website. Don't hate on anyone taking this approach, because in the end it's you that ends up looking like a tool.

Do these things:

• Comment on things that are relevant TO YOU. Don't go out of your way to flex your ego muscle or berate others who are also playing the game.
• Reply to people
• Share pieces of yourself. People actually care what you think about articles that you are sharing, so make sure you attach a thought to it.
• Empty comments do nothing. A comment like "this is great" is not a productive use of time (for anyone) —it's what the like button is for. If you're going to comment, take a minute to actually formulate a coherent thought. Bonus points if you actually read the shared article.
• Have an opinion / have a backbone
• Don't let your ignorance reign supreme. If you don't have a clear understanding of something, start a conversation by asking a question, not forming an opinion. Don't be Trump.
• You want more eyes? Then create content people want to see. If you're struggling with this, then maybe your plan isn't working for you and it's time for a tune up. 
• Use imagery that garners attention. FACT: On LinkedIn, as everywhere else marketing has ever lived, sex sells. It sells men, it sells women (that's right...) What's important to remember is how it is used, and why it works. Check out this article from Business Insider for some science on it (steal ideas from it is what I mean). Don't believe me? Google Candice Galek. Her approach is not for everyone, but for her business it works.

Want some LinkedIn hacks?

• Time your responses and post engagements to pace out your reach — if your privacy settings allow, your social participation will become items in the feeds of others, which can draw more attention to your own profile
• Reference content that you have published in comments or updates — publish once, share 10 times. Your content is too valuable to let die on the vine.
• Refresh your content. There is nothing wrong with going back and editing a previous post if you have more to add to it, or if you simply want to write it better. When you do this, share it again.
• Tag people in your updates — it helps to include those that you want attention from as part of your strategy, but DO NOT abuse it. 
• Need to get to someone specific? ASK for an introduction — reach out and play six degrees of separation. Chances are you'll get the intro you need just by being an awesome person.
• GIVE BACK. If you get a bump from an Influencer or a top-viewed person, make sure to give them a nod. 

Here are a bunch more LinkedIn hacks provided by HubSpot — they'll help with productivity.

New to LinkedIn? Check out this great post from Deborah Wolfe on what to do first. And welcome to the zoo...

Got more to add to this? I'm happy to quote you and curate an ultimate resource in using LinkedIn for it's main purpose — to socialize amongst the hustlers, up and comers, influencers, recruiters, and business owners that make the world economy flow.

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Patrick Lyver
President of Kleurvision Inc.
www.kleurvision.com
Feel free to connect – but give me a reason to do so
Follow me on Twitter @patricklyver