Here's how to leverage LinkedIn as a remote worker in 2019.

LinkedIn connects to opportunities – period.

It was the platform that landed my first job at one of the world's largest tech companies upon graduation (without sending a single application) and it is the platform that helped me land my first few clients worth over $4000 to kickstart my career as a freelancer working remote.

Over the past few years, LinkedIn has changed dramatically from a "job seekers" platform to a professional network of 590+ million members connecting them to economic opportunities at global scale… that is, if you know how to use it right.

"Over the last 18 to 24 months it's been remarkable how much opportunity there is on LinkedIn." – Gary Vaynerchuk

In this week's article of the Rise of Remote Work series, I'd like to share my key strategies on how to use LinkedIn to connect to your dream opportunities as a remote worker – whether you're an (aspiring) freelancer, consultant, coach, entrepreneur or remote employee:

Craft a lead-generating LinkedIn profile

First things first: your Linkedin profile is no longer merely your online resume – it is also an extremely powerful online business card that can deliver you free high-quality B2B leads straight to your inbox! Spend some time in crafting a complete profile with your target audience in mind. Think of a catchy headline, engaging summary and relevant keywords – I promise you, it will pay off (in fact, completed profiles earn up to 21x more profile views, 36x more messages, and 9x more connection requests!)

Post relevant content to stay on top-of-mind

When you've rocked your LinkedIn profile, the next step is to get noticed and stay on top of mind with your target audience. Hence, it is important to consistently share status updates or long-form blog posts with your network in your area of expertise. Think of industry insights, news mentions, career accomplishments, success stories etc. Guess who your potential customer will reach out to when they need help related to your products or services?

"If you're in B2B marketing and do not have a LinkedIn content strategy, you're making a humongous mistake." – Gary Vaynerchuk

Build meaningful relationships

LinkedIn is a relationships-driven platform. It is not about the number of connections you can make – rather, it is important to build meaningful relationships with your network and target audience. Connect with people you know or who you'd like to build a professional relationship with. Stay on top of what happens in their professional world by regularly checking in and engaging with their content. But, most importantly, leverage LinkedIn's insights when you decide to reach out to potential clients – with so much data available, there's no longer an excuse for sending general cold email templates.

Stop selling yourself – add value

This may sound counterintuitive, but it's key to your success on LinkedIn: stop selling. Don't present yourself in a commercial or "sales-oriented" way. Rather, invest time and effort into creating a strong professional brand and building trust with your target audience. Share valuable content with your target audience, help someone in your network where possible, and be consistent + relevant in your content strategy. It will pay off in the long run.

"The problem is, most people are looking for instant gratification and return on their investment." – Gary Vaynerchuk

Be authentic

Last but not least – be authentic. The last thing people want to see is a marketing-produced content piece selling one of your products or services. Instead, focus on sharing your own experiences as a (remote) professional, career highlights or key learnings, content generated by your users or clients showcasing your added value etc. And who knows, your message might reach the right person, at the right time, providing the right opportunity for both.

Check out LinkedIn's Top Voices 2018 for examples of members with a stellar online presence :) Hope this article will help you leverage LinkedIn in 2019!

Are you a(n) (aspiring) freelancer, coach, consultant or online business owner and do you want to elevate your brand to find + attract clients online? Join hundreds of (online) business owners across the globe and get started with my free LinkedIn Strategy bootcamp specifically designed for solopreneurs!

This article is part of a pilot for LinkedIn Series, a new feature which aims to spark conversation between a community of like-minded professionals. Click 'subscribe' to become part of this community, share your thoughts in the comments below and feel free to join the Digital Nomad group.

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