Don’t Be a LinkedIn Loser: Strategies for Using LinkedIn Effectively for Business and Personal Branding

When I describe someone as a “LinkedIn Loser,” I do so tongue-in-cheek. LinkedIn is the most significant business networking site in the world. If you are in business or need to network in any way you must be on LinkedIn. Even if you’re retired and volunteer for a local charity or if you are a freshman in college there are specific ways to leverage the power of LinkedIn. Here are some of my tips on how to navigate and utilize LinkedIn to your advantage. Follow these tips and you will avoid being a “LinkedIn Loser” and become a “LinkedIn Winner.”

Here are 12 tips to maximize your profile, attract attention, develop relationships and generate leads:

1. Commit to relationship building and not selling.

LinkedIn’s motto is “Relationships matter.” This platform is meant to build relationships and not sell which will push people away. Despite what digital marketers say, LinkedIn is not for selling but for building relationships. For more on this tip please visit my blogs Networking and LinkedIn: Build Relationships and Don’t Sell and Networking for Success: How to Start Conversations.

2. Have a high quality headshot.

Only one out of seven people look at your profile if you do not have a good headshot. For more information on this tip please visit my blog Making the Wrong LinkedIn Impression: Profile Photo Blunders.

Are you an Unknown on LinkedIn?

3. Have a criteria and system for people who with you connect.

Do not be afraid to connect with people if you do not know them. LinkedIn is the conduit. There are people who want to spam you (get your email and they do so directly or with fake accounts). For more information on this tip please visit my blog LinkedIn Connection Criteria. More on this in a future blog.

4. Be active-post updates daily.

You have to be active, which allows you to be top of mind. Publish your work, share posts and comment on posts. Try to post every day, including weekends. Don’t forget LinkedIn’s publish platform. For more information on this tip please visit my blog Tips for Getting More Views for Your LinkedIn Profile.

5. Belong to the right group.

Being active at times may be overwhelming; focus on two to five groups for the greatest impact. This will get you the greatest ROE (Return on Effort). Join groups that are regionally focused in your industry, target rich for prospects and where referral sources are active.

6. Be active in groups and/or create your own group. 

This allows you to develop your community, where you will demonstrate your knowledge and thought leadership.  Show your expertise and develop relationships.

7. Have an error free page.

Take the time for someone to proofread your profile. Make sure it portrays you the way you want-it is meant to build your reputation. Grammatical errors will take away from the work.

8. Include hyper-local geographical tags in your title and in your profile.

Geo tags (community, city, town or state names) help people to find you and your business.

9. Include key words often and close to the beginning of your profile.

Key words are critical for internal search. Without them, you will be invisible. Describe what you do, where you do it and your industry expertise. If you offer a number of services mention them all.

10. Make sure your title quickly tells people what you do.

People don’t care about your official title (President, Vice President, CEO, etc.), use descriptive words instead.

11. NEVER USE ALL CAPITALS.

All caps means shouting online; if used you will be considered rude/unapproachable.

12. Incorporate videos and projects into your profile.

Videos are critical to your personal brand. Images online are important; they need to reflect who you are and what you stand for. For more information on this tip please visit my blogs Guess What? You’re a Media Company and How to be a Local Business Rock Star.

For the full list of tips here is the link to the pdf:

Having these strategies in one’s back pocket will give you and your brand an advantage over your competitors.

By Bill Corbett

Corbett Public Relations Long Island and the World 

@liprguy