LinkedIn Influencer Summit 2024 Notes by Joe Apfelbaum & evyAI

We just concluded our 6th annual LinkedIn Influencer Summit and we are so excited to share the notes from the conference.?

If you want to see all the recordings of all the previous LinkedIn Influencer Summits, you can access them as part of our LinkedIn Accelerator Training.?

https://www.evyrgreen.com/linkedin-accelerator-training-one-day/

Let me know if you want a special discount on the training, we are making that available to a few of the attendees from the LinkedIn Influencer Summit.

We had 8 amazing speakers as always with special guests.

Hundreds of people showed up live and stayed way past the time they needed to stay and people said they got so much actionable value from the summit they will be coming again next year!?

Who were the presenters of this year's summit??

• Ivana Todorovic - LinkedIn Content?
• Joe Apfelbaum - Using AI with LinkedIn?
• Machael Laubscher - Discover the secrets of Strategic Networking?
• Estie Starr - Hacking the LinkedIn Algorithm?
• Jason Osborn - Expanding Connections and Direct Messaging Tips?
• J U D I Radice HAYS - Create an unbeatable Engagement Strategy?
• Brynne Tillman - Prospecting interview strategy
• Adam Houlahan - Master the art of LinkedIn Engagements?
• Shay ?? Rowbottom - Elevate your LinkedIn Video strategy

Lets Go over each person's presentation and share notes from each presenter.?

Ivana Todorovic is the Founder of AuthorUp and she has analyzed millions of LinkedIn posts with her team and here are her tips.?

Content Creation Approach: Todorovic advises against imitating top influencers on LinkedIn. Instead, she suggests engaging with peers or slightly more influential users by commenting on their posts to build a reciprocal network. This strategy helps in growing your audience with relevant connections.

Post Optimization for Mobile: Since a majority of LinkedIn users access the platform via mobile, it's important to ensure that posts are optimized for mobile viewing.

Readability and Content Structure: Posts should be easy to scan and read. Avoid long paragraphs; instead, use shorter, concise text and divide topics into separate posts for clarity.

Handling Links: Include links in posts but avoid using LinkedIn's preview link card as it can reduce post visibility. Instead, close the preview and just have the link text.

Using Bullet Points and Numbered Lists: These help in organizing content and make it easier for readers to remember the information.

Asking Closed Questions: At the end of a post, ask a simple yes/no question to encourage engagement.

Advanced Strategy - Cheat Sheet: For users who already have some following and engagement, Todorovic suggests using a 'cheat sheet' strategy. This involves posting a statement or question and then providing a detailed answer or insight in the first comment, which can drive further engagement.

Optimizing for Virality: To create a viral post (defined as having 300-500 reactions), it's important to offer highly actionable and valuable content. This increases the likelihood of your post being saved or reposted, signaling to LinkedIn's algorithm that it's a valuable post.

Use of 'Cheat Sheets' or Templates: Sharing highly informative content, like cheat sheets or actionable advice, encourages users to repost or save for later. These actions help increase the chances of a post going viral.

Reposting Strategy: There are two types of reposts on LinkedIn - direct reposts and reposts with a comment. Direct reposts are more beneficial as they aggregate all impressions to the original post, whereas reposts with comments are seen as separate posts with typically lower impressions.

Use of Emojis: Emojis should be used sparingly to highlight key points in a post. They capture attention and provide emotional context, leading readers to the most important parts of the content.

Commenting Strategy: Commenting on others' posts is crucial for growth and engagement. Ivana suggests commenting on at least 10 posts per day, providing insightful comments rather than generic responses. Comments with seven words or more can help boost the visibility of the posts.

Target Audience and Content Strategy: Understand your offer and who your typical customer is. Use tools like GPT to generate questions your audience might have about your industry or offer. These questions can form the basis of your content topics.

Book Recommendation for LinkedIn Content: Ivana recommends a book about LinkedIn branding by Michelle J. Raymond and Michelle Griffin, providing foundational knowledge for anyone starting on LinkedIn.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LINKEDIN-BRANDING-BOOK-Personal-Exponential-ebook/dp/B0BM6CQ68K?

Call to Action (CTA): Ivana encourages users to follow her on LinkedIn for more insights and to check out the Altered App website for a free trial of their tool.

AI and Commenting: Upcoming discussion about using AI for commenting on LinkedIn, suggesting the integration of AI tools can enhance engagement strategies. www.evyai.com/upgrade

Throughout her talk, Ivana emphasized the importance of providing value, using strategic engagement methods, and understanding the technical aspects of LinkedIn's algorithms and features to maximize post visibility and engagement.

Next up is Joe Apfelbaum - Using AI with LinkedIn founder of evyAI.com the AI assistant for LinkedIn

Overview of LinkedIn Engagement Levels: Joe categorizes LinkedIn users into four levels: Absent, Lurker, Networker, Influencer. He emphasizes that most people remain at the Lurker stage due to a lack of strategy and tools.

Joe shared his 3 step process for success on LinkedIn that starts with a LinkedIn strategy that includes the Plan, People and Promise. The moving on to Stories, Presence and Automation and finally Exposure Credibility and Meetings.?

Accelerator Training Program for LinkedIn Success: He mentions an accelerator program that teaches a nine-step process to move users from lurkers to influencers. This includes planning, creating a strategy, optimizing profiles, using automation tools that comply with LinkedIn's terms, and engaging consistently through posting, messaging, and gaining exposure.

Joe had a special offer he made for anyone that wants to join the LinkedIn Accelerator One Day Live Training on Zoom for 6 hours with him and he gave a 2000$ discount. Reach out to him if you want to see if he has a spot available for you in that program for March 20th.

Importance of Artificial Intelligence: Joe highlights the role of AI in enhancing efficiency on LinkedIn. AI tools can help in posting, engaging, and messaging, allowing users to accomplish more in less time.

Introduction to evyAI: This tool, a collaboration with ChatGPT and OpenAI, aids in automating LinkedIn activities. It can be used as a Chrome extension that complies with LinkedIn terms or a standalone platform, helping users to engage effectively by commenting on posts and generating content.

Comment Generation with AI: evyAI.com enables users to drop AI-generated comments on LinkedIn posts. Users can select their goals, tone, and persona to tailor comments appropriately.

AI-Powered Post Writing: Joe demonstrates how to use evyAI.com to generate post ideas and create first drafts. The tool offers idea generation based on keywords, and users can select a persona for tailored content.

Avoiding Automated LinkedIn Management: Joe warns against tools that automatically manage LinkedIn accounts, as this is against LinkedIn's terms and conditions. He recommends using tools that assist but don't automate engagement.

Utilizing Video Content with AI: AI can also select the best parts of a LinkedIn Live session and create video clips for posting, enhancing user engagement through diverse content forms.

Joe mentioned that he teaches his students how to use these tools in his monthly mastermind meeting called the AI business development circle available at www.evyrgreen.com/aicircle where professionals get together for 3 hours each month and learn how to use AI for business development and marketing.

Achieving Top Voice Badge on LinkedIn: Joe hints at teaching strategies for obtaining a LinkedIn Top Voice badge, which is a recognition given to influential contributors on the platform. This includes going to LinkedIn.com/Advice and dropping your perspective using evyAI.com 3 times each day. This only takes a few seconds but can gain you a top voice badge in your industry if you qualify.?

Joe showed how his AI evyAI can also write comments in spanish or any other language using the command feature inside the evyAI chrome extension. All you need to do is instruct the AI with a prompt to write in a particular language and the AI does it automatically.?

When you get spam inMails, Joe showed how to use evyAI to reply to those inmails quickly and offer your own products and services in a meaningful way. People are contacting you anyway, you might as well monetize those messages you are getting.?

Throughout his presentation, Joe emphasizes the significance of authentic engagement on LinkedIn, the role of AI in augmenting this engagement, and the importance of adhering to LinkedIn's guidelines while using automation tools. He showcases how evyAI can assist users in becoming more active and influential on LinkedIn by providing tools for content creation, commenting, and overall engagement enhancement.

If you want to upgrade to the premium version of evyAI you can do us at www.evyai.com/upgrade

Mac Laubscher shared valuable insights on LinkedIn strategy, especially focusing on networking and follow-up.?

Importance of Networking Strategy: Mac emphasizes the significance of having a clear networking strategy on LinkedIn. He notes the disconnect between online and face-to-face networking and the importance of integrating the two.

Utilizing Mobile Phones for Networking: He highlights the role of mobile phones in networking and stresses the importance of following up on LinkedIn connections.

Effective Follow-Up Techniques: Mac suggests using voice notes or personalized video messages on LinkedIn for follow-ups. This personalized approach helps in building deeper connections.

Remembering Connections through Visual Aids: He advises taking selfies with new connections at events and then sending those photos when connecting on LinkedIn. This method provides context and helps in remembering the interaction.

Personalizing Connection Requests: Mac recommends visiting profiles and finding something that resonates before sending a connection request. This approach ensures the connection is meaningful and not just a generic pitch.

Preparation for Networking Events: He advises preparing for events by checking who will be attending and pre-connecting with them on LinkedIn. This strategy makes face-to-face interactions at the event more effective.

Using QR Codes for Easy Connectivity: Mac uses QR codes on his business card, linking to his contact details or to book a meeting directly. This method simplifies the process of connecting and scheduling follow-ups.

Creating a Strategic Connection List: He suggests maintaining a list of key people you want to build relationships with, rather than focusing on accumulating a large number of connections.

Maximizing LinkedIn for Follow-Up: Mac stresses the importance of using LinkedIn for follow-up after networking events. This includes leveraging the platform's features like direct messaging and voice notes.

Including Contact Information in LinkedIn Communications: Mac puts his contact number in communications to facilitate immediate contact, especially after face-to-face meetings.

Throughout his talk, Mac Laubscher focuses on the integration of online and offline networking strategies, the significance of personalized follow-ups, and the use of innovative tools like QR codes to enhance networking efficiency on LinkedIn.

Estie Starr shared her insights and experiences with LinkedIn at the LinkedIn Influencer Summit 2024.?

Personal Success Story with LinkedIn: Estie shared how LinkedIn played a crucial role in her business success, especially after a challenging period following the birth of her fifth child. She emphasized how LinkedIn helped her generate over a million dollars for her business.

LinkedIn as a Favorite Tool: She described LinkedIn as her preferred platform for turning ideas into money and building marketing strategies for small businesses.

Five Levels of Leveraging Social Media Organically:

Level 1 - Presence: Maintain an up-to-date profile on social media. This presence is essential for SEO and when people search for you.

Level 2 - Outbound/Secret Sales: Use direct messaging (DMs) for outreach and sales without the need for regular posting. Sales Navigator can be a helpful tool for this.

Level 3 - Heartbeat Marketing: Engage regularly to show you're active. This involves posting at least once or twice a month and commenting weekly.

Level 4 - Inbound: Engage in more intensive activities that require a few hours a week.

Level 5 - Influencer: This level involves a commitment of several hours daily.

Time Commitment for Each Level:

Presence: Requires about three hours once a year or two.

Outbound/Secret Sales: A few hours once a month or more.

Heartbeat Marketing: An hour or more every week.

Inbound: A few hours a week.

Influencer: A few hours a day.

Offering a LinkedIn Program: Estie mentioned her LinkedIn program, which requires 10 minutes a day for 15 days, suitable for busy professionals.

Encouragement and Motivation: Estie concluded with a motivational message about finding solutions and fitting them into your life, based on her personal journey from financial struggles to success.

Jason Osborn provided valuable insights on leveraging LinkedIn for client acquisition.?

Avoid Cold, Spammy Connection Requests: Jason emphasizes that spammy requests, which are common on LinkedIn, have a low acceptance ratio and negatively impact the "know, like, trust" factor.

Shift from Old to New Approaches: He advocates moving away from outdated methods to more effective strategies, focusing on adding value before sending connection requests.

Networking Analogy for LinkedIn Interactions: Jason suggests treating LinkedIn as an online networking event. Just as you wouldn’t hand out business cards without context in person, don’t do the equivalent on LinkedIn.

Commenting on Posts as Engagement: One of the best ways to engage is by commenting on people’s posts. This approach helps break the ice and significantly increases acceptance ratios for connection requests.

Personalized Messaging: After connecting, he recommends sending personalized audio or video messages. This can be done via LinkedIn’s mobile app and leads to more engaged and grateful prospects.

Visitor to Lead Conversion Rate: LinkedIn has a higher visitor to lead conversion rate compared to platforms like Twitter and Facebook, making these strategies even more effective.

Using Audio/Video Messages in DMs: Rarely used by LinkedIn users, sending audio or video messages in direct messages can significantly stand out and create a personal connection.

Treating Connections as Humans: The key is to treat LinkedIn connections like human beings, not just numbers, fostering genuine relationships.

Strategies for Engagement:

Engage with prospects' content before connecting.

Use polls and video posts for high engagement.

Share valuable content to build trust.

LinkedIn Mini Course Offer: Jason offers a free LinkedIn mini-course, providing basic guidance on effective LinkedIn strategies.

Judi Hayes shared insights on LinkedIn engagement, focusing on traps to avoid and effective strategies to adopt.

Avoid Being an Oversharer: Strike a balance between being professional, personal, and private on LinkedIn. Oversharing can lead to negative consequences, as demonstrated by the example of the "crying CEO".

Understand the Three Buckets: Recognize the difference between professional, personal, and private content. Ensure that private information, which doesn't belong on LinkedIn, is kept off the platform.

Be Wary of Vanity Metrics: Avoid posts that are purely for garnering likes and engagement without substance. Such posts can lead to fake engagement and don’t necessarily attract your ideal target audience.

The Stranger Test for Content: Before posting something, ask if you would be comfortable sharing that information on a stage in front of your ideal prospects. If not, it's probably not suitable for LinkedIn.

Creating Valuable Content: Understand the pain points and problems of your main audience. Create content that provides valuable insights and demonstrates your expertise.

Avoid the ‘Pitch Slap’: Don’t immediately pitch to new connections. This is often perceived as spam and can lead to a negative reaction, including connection removal.

Personalize Connection Requests: Customize your connection requests to increase the likelihood of acceptance and future engagement. Avoid using automation tools irresponsibly.

Strategic Networking: Only connect with people aligned with your target personas. Leverage your existing network for introductions and engage in content that sparks interest.

The Importance of Engaging Content: Use content as a means to engage your network and attract potential connections.

Nurture Existing Connections: Regularly review your LinkedIn database to nurture and reach out to people. Look for common interests and strive for genuine connections.

Slow Down to Speed Up: Take time to research and understand prospects before reaching out. A more thoughtful approach can lead to better outcomes.

LinkedIn Self-Audit Worksheet: Judi offers a LinkedIn self-audit worksheet to help evaluate your profile and strategy.

Adopt an Anti-Spam Technique: Judi uses a period after her first name on LinkedIn to identify automated messages, as automated tools will scrape and include the period in their messages.

Brynne Tillman shared a unique strategy called "Prospecting by Interview" for LinkedIn engagement, particularly aimed at salespeople targeting C-suite executives.?

Target C-Suite Executives Effectively: If you're selling to hard-to-reach executives with gatekeepers, this strategy is particularly effective.

Create an eBook through Prospecting by Interview: The strategy involves interviewing prospects and compiling their insights into an eBook.

Structured Approach to the eBook: Develop a structure with around seven questions to ask CEOs in a specific industry. Plan to reach out to a significant number, such as 100, for their insights.

Initial Outreach to Prospects: Reach out to prospects informing them of the eBook and inviting them to contribute their insights in a brief, approximately seven-minute conversation.

Conducting the Interview: During the call, record their responses to the pre-determined questions, making the process efficient and respectful of their time.

Publishing and Promoting the eBook: After compiling the eBook, which can be done using tools like Canva or Fiverr, publish and promote it. Mention contributors’ names and companies, asking them to share it within their networks.

Leverage the eBook for Further Engagement: Use the eBook to get in front of decision-makers within the contributors' organizations and others who didn’t initially participate. This helps in building credibility and trust.

Follow-Up Strategy: After the eBook is published, follow up with the CEOs for a second conversation, using insights from the initial interview as a conversation starter.

Done-For-You Service Option: Brynne offers a service where everything except the actual interviewing of prospects is taken care of, making it easier for clients to implement this strategy.

Paid Promotion on LinkedIn: Consider using LinkedIn's paid promotion features for eBooks as a lead magnet to amplify reach and effectiveness.

Adam Houlahan shared his insights on leveraging LinkedIn using a webinar strategy.?

Targeting C-Suite Executives for Webinars: This strategy is particularly effective for salespeople selling to C-suite executives, a group typically difficult to reach due to gatekeepers.

Utilize a 'Know-How without Show-How' Framework: The key is to demonstrate that you can solve a problem without actually solving it in your content. This creates interest and positions you as an authority without giving away free advice that doesn’t convert to paid services.

Leverage Webinars to Generate Revenue: Share insights on successfully running webinars and use this as a platform to build trust and establish expertise.

Create Engaging and Informative Posts: Design posts that make your audience interested in knowing more. For example, discussing how successful your webinars have been without going into the specifics of how you achieved that success.

Effective Call to Action: Encourage engagement by asking your audience to express interest for more information rather than directly providing a link. This increases engagement and boosts the visibility of your post.

Content Strategy for Webinars: Focus on content that positions you as a subject matter expert and indicates there is a next step for the audience to engage further with you.

Convert Webinar Participants into Revenue: The approach is not just about attracting people to your webinar but also about how you convert this interest into revenue.

Adapt the Strategy Based on Audience and Offering: The effectiveness of this strategy can depend on your target audience and the nature of your product or service. This method has been successful for both high and low-end price offerings.

Use Free Resources to Evaluate LinkedIn Performance: Houlahan provides a quiz that helps assess how well you're using LinkedIn, offering additional resources to improve in areas where you might be weak.

Building the Right LinkedIn Audience: Ensure your LinkedIn audience comprises your ideal clients, as they are the ones most likely to interact with your content and attend your webinars.

Team and Global Reach: Houlahan’s team consists of 21 people across five countries, highlighting the global scope and collaborative nature of his business strategy.

Shay Rowbottom shared her insights on LinkedIn video creation, discussing her journey from 60k to 600k followers on LinkedIn.

Utilize Simple Tools for Video: Start with basic tools like a smartphone and natural light for creating videos. Overcomplicating with equipment can be a barrier.

Video is Still Potent but Competitive: Although video doesn't reach as far as it used to on LinkedIn, it remains the most intimate form of content.

Diversify Video Formats: Experiment with different video formats like reels, square videos, and raw clips. Variety keeps the audience engaged.

Integrate Content Creation into Daily Work: Make content creation part of your daily business routine. For instance, share valuable insights right after a meaningful client interaction.

Start with a Strong Headline: Open your video with a compelling headline to grab immediate attention. Treat your video like a news article that needs a striking headline.

Focus on Relatability and Vulnerability: Videos should showcase your personality and allow viewers to connect with you on a personal level.

Content Should Reflect Real Life: Share aspects of your personal life or interests that may resonate with your audience, like a fitness routine, to humanize your profile.

Test Different Video Lengths: Experiment with varying video durations to see what resonates best with your audience.

Encourage Viewer Engagement: At the end of your video, pivot the conversation back to the audience with a call-to-action or a question to encourage engagement.

Address Audience Needs and Interests: Think about what your audience finds valuable or interesting and tailor your content accordingly.

Use Consistent, Authentic Messaging: Ensure that your video content aligns with your brand message and is authentic to who you are.

Leverage Video Across Platforms: Skills learned in video creation for LinkedIn can be applied across other social media platforms, increasing your reach and impact.

Joe Apfelbaum and Estie Starr wrapped up the LinkedIn Influencer Summit 2024 with a Q&A session and shared additional insights.?

Utilize Simple Tools for Video Creation: Start with a smartphone and natural light for making videos. Avoid overcomplicating with equipment.

Regular Engagement with Audience: Engage with comments on your posts promptly, especially in the first hour, to boost post visibility.

Content Should Reflect Real-Life Experiences: Share personal stories and experiences that are relatable to your audience.

Use LinkedIn as a Networking Tool: LinkedIn is a platform for business development, personal development, and networking. Utilize it to build and maintain professional relationships.

Implement QR Codes in Canva for Business Cards: Easily create QR codes in Canva for business networking purposes.

Stay Human amidst Technology: Use AI and technology as tools but maintain a human touch in your interactions.

Targeted Connection Strategy on LinkedIn: Be strategic with your LinkedIn connections, focusing on quality over quantity.

Leverage LinkedIn Live for Real Conversations: Use LinkedIn Live to engage with your audience in real-time, fostering genuine connections.

Create a Business Networking One-Sheet: Develop a one-sheet to educate your network on how to network with you effectively.

Prepare for Events and Engage Actively: Prioritize preparation before attending events and actively engage with others to maximize networking opportunities.

Consider Post Formats and Engagement Strategies: Vary your post formats and strategize how to engage your audience effectively.

Plan a Follow-Up Networking Event: Organize a post-summit networking event to further engage attendees and foster connections.

Understand Marketing Strategies and Tools: Recognize that social media and AI are tools within your overall marketing strategy and use them accordingly.

Stay True to Your Authentic Voice: Even when using AI for assistance, ensure the content reflects your authentic voice and style.

Celebrate Relationship Day for Networking: Embrace the concept of 'Relationship Day' as an opportunity to build professional relationships.

Joe Apfelbaum and Estie Starr emphasized the importance of genuine interaction, strategic networking, and the effective use of technology in enhancing professional relationships on LinkedIn. Their insights provide a roadmap for leveraging LinkedIn as a powerful tool for business growth and personal branding.

Now its your turn, in the comments tell us what you got out this amazing LinkedIn Influencer summit.

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