How to use LinkedIn Effectively

My most recent blog focused on why you need a LinkedIn profile.  This blog will touch on why but mainly focus on how to use LinkedIn effectively.  It will provide you with 3-tips on the best way to use it whether you're looking for a job, growing your networks, increasing your knowledge or simply building brand you.  
Why is it important?
LinkedIn is the world's largest professional social networking site (433 million users) where you will find like-minded people to connect and do business with.  It's used for exchanging knowledge, ideas, business and employment opportunities.  It's become the business card of the 21st century, your digital resume - it’s a global (and local) network that everybody and every business must be a part of.  

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How to use LinkedIn effectively?
We all use LinkedIn for different reasons.  Below are four different occasions you may turn to LinkedIn and explores 3-tips for how to use it effectively.  

LOOKING FOR A JOB:
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1. LinkedIn can be a dynamic and visual version of your resume.  It's possible to add videos and presentations to your profile showcasing your previous projects and demonstrating your work capabilities. Make the most of these features.    
2. Tailor your headline which is the tagline that immediately follows your name on your LinkedIn profile.  Your headline is one of the most visible spots on LinkedIn and should include words that reflect your strengths and expertise.  Click here for tips on how to write a great headline.  
3. Follow the LinkedIn Company Page of the companies you'd like to work for.  These pages provide information about the company, their people, products, and services and often post job openings.  So when it comes to the interview you'll have the latest information about the company at your fingertips.   

GROWING YOUR NETWORK FOR BUSINESS LEADS:

1. LinkedIn is a great way to grow your network and generate business opportunities.  You want your network to consist of the right people - people you want to connect with and people that want to connect with you.  It's important that you research who you want to build a business relationship with and when you first connect with them  personalise your message.  You'll find they're far more likely to accept and engage with you.  
2. Utilise advanced search. An advanced search is an effective tool that lets you enter details such as companies, names, or universities/schools to connect with leads through more focused results.  It allows you to create a contact list of people that meet a set of criteria that you can later reach out to via email or InMail. 
3. Be active and get noticed.  It might seem obvious but just the act of posting to social media helps you to establish credibility and gain new connections, especially when you publish on LinkedIn Pulse. Rather than just sharing news or an interesting article, adding your own thoughts or publishing an original article on LinkedIn will get you noticed.

INCREASING YOUR KNOWLEDGE:

1. LinkedIn Influencers is a network of 500+ of the world's foremost thinkers, leaders, and innovators.  It's possible to follow them and access their insights and discussions via posts and updates.  Influencers include the likes of Richard Branson, Bill Gates, Arianna Huffington and Guy Kawasaki.  
2. LinkedIn Channels is the collection of articles and insights grouped by topic. No matter what industry you are in or what role you are in you will find something of interest.  Topics include Leadership & Management, Social Media, Marketing & Advertising.
3. LinkedIn Publishers curates top news from global and industry sources.  Publications you can follow include Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Ted Talks.   
Click here to find Influencers, Channels, and Publishers 

BRAND YOU:

1. A LinkedIn summary gives you 2000 characters to summarise your background.  You want to make the most of every word and create a summary that is authentic. Make your summary interesting and creative, include stories on what motivates you to ensure it truly reflects you.   
2. Your profile photo is one of the first things that people will notice when they open your LinkedIn profile. So it's important that you have a photo that is credible, current and professional. 
3. Get some recommendations. A recommendation is a comment written by a LinkedIn member and a way for them to recognize the great job you've done for them.  It's a great way to demonstrate your trustworthiness and goes a long way to building brand you. 

There really is so much to LinkedIn and I'm sure you can understand why it's the world's largest professional social media network.  So whether you're looking for a job or wanting to build brand you the above tips will show you how to use LinkedIn effectively.
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