LinkedIn is my primary platform for my business.
It’s where I share my ideas, connect with amazing people around the world and build my positioning. It’s also a platform that has generated me some incredible opportunities, exposure and new clients. Many of my clients are using it to build their businesses too.
With that said, I understand social media isn’t easy. There are so many do’s and don’ts out there, it can be hard to know how to use it in a way that’s truly effective.
So, I wanted to bring in a powerhouse in the LinkedIn community, Karen Tisdell, to help guide us in how to utilise LinkedIn to our best advantage. With a presence on LinkedIn dating back to 2005, Karen has transformed the way businesses, both large and small, approach their LinkedIn strategies. She’s been a pivotal part of my own LinkedIn journey, offering insights that have elevated both my business and personal brand.
Karen generously shares her insights on staying ahead of the curve, making real connections and showcase your expertise:
Why LinkedIn?
Unlike platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn provides a targeted way to connect with the right people. It’s a professional network where you can see the positions people hold and the industries they work in, making it easier to identify potential clients who align with your business goals. Think of LinkedIn as a search engine for networking—saving you time and putting you in front of the right audience.
Your Profile: The Digital Handshake
Karen’s belief is that your LinkedIn profile is more than just an online CV. It’s a digital handshake, introducing you to potential clients and collaborators. She highlights the importance of crafting a profile that focuses on your audience, rather than just listing your past achievements. Reflect on the future version of yourself you want to present and how you can be of service to your audience. Highlight how you solve problems and don’t forget to include a clear call to action—it’s all about making it easy for others to connect and engage with you.
Building Meaningful Connections
When it comes to growing your network, intentionality is key. Avoid the swipe-right mentality of connecting with everyone and anyone and instead, focus on quality over quantity. Who do you want in your world, and who might actually enrich your business journey? You could think of LinkedIn as a bit like an online networking event—intentional connection requests and personal messages are your best tools for making meaningful connections.
Posting with Purpose
In terms of content, Karen encourages us to resist the urge to make every post an advertisement. The beauty of LinkedIn lies in its potential for genuine engagement and conversation. Share your expertise generously, offer insights and don’t shy away from starting conversations that matter to you and your audience. Karen suggests a balance—mix thought leadership, how-to tips, and even a bit of personal storytelling to build authentic relationships that lead to real business opportunities.
Engagement: The Heart of LinkedIn
Now, it’s tempting to post and ghost–but it’s not going to help with engagement on your content. Karen talks about commenting on others’ content and responding to those who comment on yours. This reciprocity builds community and keeps you visible in the LinkedIn feed. Karen teaches that the magic ratio is nine comments on other people’s posts for every one post you make—something to think about when planning your LinkedIn engagements.
So, I challenge you to have a go at implementing at least one of these strategies, and really begin harnessing LinkedIn’s power to build a thriving small business network. Remember, it’s not just about having a presence; it’s about crafting a strategic approach that elevates your brand and maximises your potential.
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Connect with Karen:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karentisdell
Website: https://karentisdell.com/
Connect with Janine:
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