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Rookie Mistakes You Might Be Making on LinkedIn

BIMS Rookie 2.17.15

There is no doubt that LinkedIn is a valuable tool for people who are looking to network with fellow professionals, generate more leads or boost their reputation. LinkedIn can be an even more powerful social media tool than Twitter and Facebook, if used properly. Unfortunately, a lot of people are not taking advantage of its networking features.

It’s time to take a look at your LinkedIn profile to make sure that you are not making any of these LinkedIn blunders. These mistakes could be limiting your success before you even start.

You have no profile picture

This is one of the biggest mistakes we see on LinkedIn. Typically, people do not connect or even click profiles that do not have a profile photo. A missing photo can easily lead to missed connections.

Adding a photo to your LinkedIn profile can make a big difference. In fact, studies suggest that you’re profile is seven times more likely to be viewed if you have one.

Using the wrong photo

As the saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. You want your profile photo to be professional and approachable.

While your LinkedIn photo doesn’t have to be a picture of you wearing a suit, it would be best to stay away from selfies of vacation photos.  When choosing your profile photo, go for pictures that convey professionalism or at least something that reflects the type of industry you belong in.

Not using LinkedIn groups

LinkedIn offers groups to help members connect with professionals within their areas of interests or industry. Occasionally, LinkedIn suggests group you may like. But you can also search for a specific group or browse the directory. These groups are a great way to connect with people who have the same interests as you, troubleshoot issues or share ideas.

Lacking a descriptive job title

If you are a job seeker, it is important to be as detailed as possible in this section. Instead of simply writing “Student at University of Colorado”, it would be better if you write “Advertising Major at University of Colorado”.

Keep in mind that a lot of people with similar qualifications and education are competing for the same job. Having a descriptive job title will give you an edge with a prospective employer.

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Your LinkedIn Group Guide

LinkedIn is becoming a vital marketing resource for businesses. Make sure that as a small business owner you are taking in all the opportunities LinkedIn has to offer you.

The beauty of LinkedIn is that it is full of resources. You can join groups that are full of professionals in your industry. Then you can use these groups to get product or service feedback, network, and even connect with future business partners or employees. In addition to creating a personal LinkedIn account, you should also establish a company page on LinkedIn for your business.

If you are considering starting a group on LinkedIn, here are some tips that will help you take full advantage of all of LinkedIn’s opportunities as a group leader.

If you choose to begin your own LinkedIn group, you have the option of creating a closed or open group. An open group allows any member to contribute and is visible to the public. A closed group is private and requires a user to be accepted to the group before contributing. When making your choice, consider that an open group will clearly grow faster, but it is also likely the group could be prone to spam.   Alternatively, a closed group will grow more gradually. Yet, the members will be much more targeted. Consider how you want your group to be seen and used when making this decision.

Remember that you started this group, so you must be a part of it. Be active and let your presence be known to your members  – it will help you network rapidly.

As the leader of the group, remember that you can make rules – this is a power that should be taken seriously. If there is an unruly member of the group, you can remove them. On the flip side, if there is a member that is a great contributor to your group, be sure to acknowledge them!

One huge advantage to creating a group is that you can send weekly announcements out to your members! This is an opportunity for you to contact your members directly. Just be careful to fill those messages with useful information – you want to ensure that your followers actually engage with the message (not just overlook it as spam).

There are countless opportunities on LinkedIn that may be of benefit to your company – capitalize on it!

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