So, you have created your profile and now you are done with the obligatory LinkedIn stuff. Hold on a minute! You might be okay with passively using LinkedIn if you’re not currently job searching, but in order to reap the benefits of a live network, you need to nurture it so it grows over time.
Here are 5 things you should do on LinkedIn each week to stay engaged, grow your network, and connect with opportunities:
1. Update your status with news, something you learned, or share an industry related-article
a. Stay active and on the radar by demonstrating your knowledge of current industry trends. What you post will appear on your contacts’ home page feed. If you write or follow a professional blog, this is a great place to share it.
2. See who has viewed your profile and evaluate whether you should connect with them
a. This is a creative way to expand your network through a “warm” connection. It can also be very beneficial if you are trying to build your business through new clients.
3. Recommend or endorse someone you know
a. Recommendations carry much more weight than endorsements so be sure to recommend others and ask them to write one for you.
4. See what is happening in the group discussion boards for groups you like
a. Groups are a hot spot to plug into the latest trends, resources, and where people need help. Follow along and add your comments when valuable to the discussion. Many groups will post the picture of the top group influences, which enhances visibility.
5. Grow your network by sending personalized invitations to new people
a. This is a critical follow up step after meeting someone in a formal or informal setting. Reach out to them with a customized invitation to connect message and keep your networking live and resource rich.
This does take work, so I recommend choosing one of these 5 actions to start with. Spend just a few minutes each day until you are comfortable and then move on with another action step. Before long, you will become fluent and enjoy projecting your presence throughout the blue ether of LinkedIn.
Hallie Crawford
Ideal Career Coach
P.S. How do you know if your resume is good? Take this Resume Quiz to find out how to keep your resume out of the trash can.
