Need to Cure the LinkedIn Hangover in 2022? Read this.

LinkedIn kicked off in 2003. I joined in 2004 – when a lot of those reading would be just starting school (so this is essentially when dinosaurs roamed the earth).

Yes, I was still getting to grips with my Nokia 1100 (mastering Snake, I’ll have you know) and wondering why I threw out my record player and swapped LPs for CDs. To be honest, I still wonder about this.

Anyway – we’re feeling the LinkedIn hangover some 19 years later, so we’d better cut to the chase and get to the ‘meds’ ASAP.

Then – The Job Board

Back in 2003, LinkedIn was essentially a massive job board. The focus was on uploading a CV, talking about your expertise and achievements, and hoping to be noticed and offered a job. There were also those who’d pitch their expertise to anyone who would listen.

What’s wrong with this perspective is that so many folk are still under this impression!

They’re living in the past. This attitude stops them from advancing on LinkedIn, because they can’t see that their profile could be a liability, rather than the asset they’re mistaking it for.

Your mere presence and your approach to outreach and visibility - these could be turning people off.

Sure, LinkedIn is still fabulous for career development, but is has other rich resources that tend to be overlooked.

Now – The Network Net-Worth

Over the years LinkedIn has evolved into a massive 800 million member network . It is the most accurate, up-to-date database in the world, especially from a sales standpoint.

After all – what do you do when you move on or get promoted? Update your profile!

Outside of LinkedIn, it’s all too easy for contact details to become outdated over time, risking that you lose touch with vital connections.

Future – The Ultimate First Impression

The world we live in (whether that’s pre-pandemic, pandemic, or post-pandemic…) is that people expect you to have some kind of digital brand.

They want to see (and expect to easily find) your digital persona – that’s just the cold, hard truth.

So let’s get comfortable with the uncomfortable truth that the world expects you to be on LinkedIn.

People realise that time is so precious and whether we like it or not, the vast majority of people would rather see your digital persona first (effectively your very first impression) then take it from there.

As one of my colleagues likes to say: “You never get a second chance at a first impression.”

My view is that if you’re lukewarm on LinkedIn, you are also diluting your digital brand and personal credibility, and potentially dragging down your company, too.

What do I mean by lukewarm?

·???????A copy-paste of your CV or job description as a ‘profile’

·???????Lazy placeholder text that’s just you talking to yourself about yourself…

·???????An empty glass, no information about your expertise and how you add value to your target audience

I laugh sometimes when people meet me… ‘Miles, please don’t look at my LinkedIn profile, it’s awful!’

The only response?

Fix it!

Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics

As we’ve stated already, LinkedIn is an 800 million strong database.

For most, this should represent an astonishing resource of opportunity. Need more convincing? There are 31 million users on LinkedIn in the UK - about half our population.

‘But they’re not all active!’ I hear you cry…

The good news is that is doesn’t really matter who’s active who’s not, because LinkedIn is a database.

People expect you to be on it. So pull your socks up and step up to the plate.

What is your brand persona first introduction going to be? Does it convey credibility, professionalism, alignment, integrity, emotional connection, authenticity, friendliness, and approachability?

You can research, gather intelligence, uncover key influencers in conquest accounts… apply some of your nurturing processes on and off the platform. Not everything works on LinkedIn, of course. Sometimes you need to come off it to maximise it through video calls and face to face interaction.

LinkedIn is one of the most underutilised business development resources the world has ever seen.

But if you still believe it’s “just for jobs”, you’re going to miss out.

Curing the Hangover

Inactivity making you feel hungover? Let’s get it sorted now and avoid the headache entirely with these quick tips and resources.

Low-level hangovers? Update your profile over the break

Communicate your brand and how you benefit your audience. Make it more about them and less about you. That means turning your profile on its head.

Talk to your audience about their challenges and then wrap your expertise around them, so they can quickly (and emotionally) connect your solution to their challenge.

Mixed your drinks? Check yourself before you wreck yourself

For the bold, take my online profile test (no sales, no follow up!). This is just a test of where you are right now.

Got a hangover to end them all? We’ve got a webinar for that

If your hangover needs professional help, then come to my complementary LinkedIn learning event on Thursday 29th September, 12pm to 1pm.

Not only is it free, but you’ll also get the replay emailed to you, and a free download of my e-book “8 Quick Fixes to Boost your Profile” (RRP ￡125). Register here .

And if you’re a hungover procrastinator?

Add this article to your Google reading list and come back to it when you can bear the headache no more.

Here’s to a happy, healthy, and headache free 2022 on LinkedIn!

Miles Duncan - LinkedIn Success Systems and Start Run Fly

https://www.linkedinsuccesssystems.co.uk/ ??for large team LinkedIn training service – online and live blended programs.

We also are creators of LinkedIn white label customised eLearning platforms for companies with LMS's.

www.startrunfly.co.uk ?training for individuals & small teams

Please connect with me on LinkedIn?https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/milesduncan/