LinkedIn is a powerful tool for connecting with prospects and hiring new employees. But for many managers, unlocking its potential is a challenge.
To you get more from this platform, follow these tips:
_Complete your profile. Many LinkedIn users mistakenly do not supply their full career history (jobs dating back to college). Be sure to do so and include a professional picture and three to four recommendations in your profile. On the right side of your profile, there is a circle that indicates your profile's completeness or strength. Use this as a gauge. If you are not an "All-Star," there is more to add to your profile. Review others in your company or industry to see how your profile compares.
_Increase your connections. Start by connecting with people you have met and then continue to increase your connections by looking for others that meet the criteria of your ideal prospect. The search function can help you find the right people. Get more than 500 connections for the maximum benefit.
_Have conversations. Communicate via the LinkedIn platform instead of email. Doing so often makes it easier to connect. If you are using a contact management system, copy your LinkedIn messages into your system to keep track of the conversations.
_Republish your existing content. If you are already publishing a blog, video or other content on other social media platforms (like Facebook), LinkedIn is a great platform to republish this information.
With a few modifications, LinkedIn can be your most powerful social media.
