I Am Never Going to Be a LinkedIn Expert (But It’s Okay)

I spend a lot of time on LinkedIn. Like, all day, every day. Mainly, I use the platform for my various research projects, but I’m also a LION (LinkedIn Open Networker). What does that mean? Basically, if you send me an invitation to connect with you on LinkedIn, I will. Unless you don’t have a profile pic or you seem “spammy,” in which case I will ignore you. It seems since I use LinkedIn so often and extensively, I should know everything about it, right? Well, it’s time to tell the truth - I am never going to be a LinkedIn expert, but it’s okay with me.

I was on LinkedIn for over 5 years before I finally got around to completely filling out my profile. I’ll admit, part of the reason was laziness, but I mostly held out because I saw no need to have a completed profile. I had just been hired by a company (for which I worked several years) when I first signed up to use LinkedIn for research. For quite some time, I thought (naively) that LinkedIn was just for people who wanted better jobs or who wanted to self-promote. Not the case! I rapidly changed my tune when I decided to start my own business and finally realized a completed profile might be a good idea after all.

People say a lot about themselves on LinkedIn, even when they haven’t completely filled out their profiles. Actually, not filling out your profile says a whole lot, too.

After years of using LinkedIn as a research and connection tool, I also found out I had very little knowledge on how to update my own profile. Luckily, it ended up being pretty easy to figure out. For one thing, LinkedIn prompts users into filling out their profiles by asking questions about the positions or companies you list for your employment. The platform also makes it easy to upload your resume. Even better! My advice: fill out your profile as much as possible. For one thing, it will help stop all those probing LinkedIn reminders from popping up. But more importantly, a well written profile increases your chances of being found by headhunters, potential clients - and researchers.

Many people choose their connections on LinkedIn so meticulously - limiting themselves to only the people they have worked with or people they know in real life. I think they’re missing out.

Anyone who spends time on LinkedIn knows about the importance of connections. As I mentioned before, I am never going to be a LinkedIn expert, but it makes sense to use the platform as a connection and networking tool, right? I agree, connecting with co-workers, former co-workers and other people you know is a must. I also think connecting with people outside your “normal” circles has its advantages. For example, let’s say you find yourself needing a new career or perhaps you have a new business to launch. LinkedIn allows you to have an instant network, all at your fingertips. Start by joining groups on LinkedIn. There are hundreds of them! From special interest and alumni groups to industry-related groups - you will find dozens of like-minded people. The group settings make connecting with more people even easier, especially if you are already actively engaging with others within your groups.

LinkedIn has made a lot of changes recently. Blink and you might just miss them…and miss out on some of the coolest enhancements of any social media platform.

A couple of weeks ago, I started to share an article by one of my LinkedIn connections. As I started to type a little blurb about the post, people’s names started popping up. I had heard a few days before about LinkedIn’s new tagging feature and knew enough to realize I now had this enhancement, too. It works very much like the tagging features on other social platforms, giving users the ability to personalize posts. Fun!

Another new feature I nearly missed out on is the new “contacts” feature LinkedIn rolled out recently. This enhancement potentially works like a CRM, giving LinkedIn users the ability to organize their networks into organized lists and make notes for themselves within the records of individuals’ profiles. Since I am never going to be a LinkedIn expert, I haven’t figured out exactly how to use this excellent feature…yet! But I see it as having a lot of potential for people who use LinkedIn for lead generation and other sales and marketing functions.

So now you know why I am never going to be a LinkedIn expert…and why it’s okay with me. I network with a lot of people online who know a lot about LinkedIn - and that’s even more okay with me. Do you want to talk LinkedIn, or anything else social-related? I would love to hear your suggestions and what works for you.

Are we “Linked”? If not, I’d like to change that! You can connect with me on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/jennghanford

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