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LinkedIn Success Part Two

Here we go for round two on LinkedIn success.

By Guy Downes
Managing Partner
29 Aug 2017

You’ve completed everything from the previous blog (LinkedIn Success – The First Three Steps) and now you’re ready to take on three new action points.

LinkedIn Success Tip #4 – Personalise Your URL

Take a look at your profile URL, does it still have random numbers after your name like this: https://www.linkedin.com/in/your-name-5a018b46/? If so, it’s time to tidy up that link and customize your personal branding. I kept mine simple and just used my name https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriamperkins/ but you could also add your company name, which would look something like this https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriadeepspacemarketing. This is especially useful if you have a common name to differentiate yourself. It’s a quick and easy update and all steps are covered here in this LinkedIn Help Page.

Now when you add your LinkedIn profile link to your email signature, business cards, resumes, etc., it looks much more professional and shows your attention to detail, plus it allows you to be branded consistently over all of your social media profiles – you can create the same vanity url for LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and so on.

LinkedIn Success Tip #5 – Ask For A Recommendation

A recommendation is another way for you to stand out against your competitors. When you are searching for a business online, someone who’ve never worked with before, I’m guessing you check their reviews and online feedback before deciding if you’ll contact them or not? Well, LinkedIn recommendations work the same way. So don’t be shy, ask for a recommendation…or two, or three. Do you have a former boss who loved your work? A partner in business you refer work to? A customer who was absolutely delighted with your services? These are all people you can approach and ask them to write a few sentences stating why they would recommend you. Scroll down to the Recommendations section on your profile, click on the “Ask to be recommended” button and it will walk you through the easy steps. Before your request is sent there is an option to add a personal message, not just the automated “Hi ____, can you write me a recommendation?”. Please do add a personal message; if you can’t take the time to write a quick couple of sentences of your own with a please and thank you, then why should the person you are requesting a recommendation from take time to do so. Also, when someone sends you a personal message, it’s harder to ignore.

Finally, this is a two-way street, so if you’re asked to write a recommendation, go ahead and brighten their day with a glowing report.

LinkedIn Success Tip #6 – Update Your Status

You’ve built up your connections, people are following you so now it’s time to keep your audience engaged. Just remember to keep your LinkedIn activity business focused, save the really personal stuff for your private Facebook profile. Nothing wrong with showing your personality but (most) people using LinkedIn want business related content. You can share your own company news, or news from well known business leaders and your industry peers. Share that great job opportunity your company has or if you went to a great conference and have some appropriate photos to share, go for it. The content options are endless. If people respond and leave a comment on your status update, be sure to interact with them – social media works best when you engage and have conversations.

You also have the option to “Write an article”, which is a great place for a blog post (you may just see this one on my own profile!). Very handy if you don’t have your own website or blog set up yet.

And lastly, if one of your connections shares a useful article, let them know. Click that Like button, leave a positive comment or share their post. This not only keeps your account active, it is also a good way to “keep in front” of people; if you’ve been chasing an account or connection to a certain person, a Like or comment can help remind them to return your call or email.

Right, enough reading; go forth and get going on these LinkedIn tips. Please let us know if you have any questions. You can connect with us individually on Linkedin here:

Victoria – https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriamperkins/

Guy – https://www.linkedin.com/in/guydownes/