Are you using or abusing LinkedIn?

When I discovered LinkedIn, I was excited. I got to connect and learn from so many people. And when I wanted to learn more about an industry group, I could join a LinkedIn Group and see what they were talking about. And then the Digital Marketers arrived. I should say lazy digital marketers. They started teaching a process of connect and pitch. Let me ask you, how well does that work for you?

I am not an expert on LinkedIn, but I am a user, and I can help you get better results.

When you reach out to connect with me, give me a reason to connect other than “I would like to join your network”. That’s just lazy. Or like in the image above, an insincere message (I have no agency it's clear this lady did not do her research).

When you set up your profile, use a professional image. And always use an image. If I don’t see your picture, you are a bot. Ladies, this means we don’t want to see your cleavage and the provocative lean. Men, lose the baseball hat and beer.?Use a picture that captures you at your professional best.

When you set up your profile, think about what your audience wants to know about you. And perhaps, more importantly, about how you can be a valued member of their network. If your profile is “me-centric”, that is it’s all about you, ask yourself, “Does your audience care”?

And for heaven’s sake, please, please stop spamming your connections with promises you cannot deliver on. You know who you are. And don’t ask to connect so you can pitch. When enough of us say we don’t know you, LinkedIn will start to block you.

LinkedIn can be another way to network, and thoughtful and deliberate people have done a great job leveraging the platform for success. Talk to David J. P. Fisher or Joyce Feustel these folks get it.?Learn to use it well, quit abusing the platform, and watch what happens to your bottom line.

If you are a professional that wants a business and not just a job that you have created for yourself, check out the resources at https://ras-squared.com