What do I mean by that question, you ask?
I’ll clarify. Why do you come to LinkedIn?
Why are you here?
If you don’t know the answer to that question, I would recommend you think about it. Gone are the days of LinkedIn being a place just for job seekers. People of all professions – business owners, full-time employees, people with side hustles, etc. etc. are welcome here.
If you do know why you are here, fantastic!
A couple of people recently told me…
“I connect with people on LinkedIn after I meet them at a networking event.”
Great! So do I!
That’s awesome, but is that the ONLY thing you do with LinkedIn?
If your answer is yep, you aren’t taking advantage of everything else LinkedIn has to offer. You’re missing out on so many potential opportunities.
Here’s how to take networking to the next level on LinkedIn. In order to go from strangers to “building relationships” with people here, it’s all about…
- Know
- Like
- Trust
KNOW – Optimize your profile.
Your LinkedIn profile is not an online resume. I’ve said that before, I’ll say it again.
An optimized profile here is your online billboard! Your LinkedIn profile should be something you are proud to show off to the masses.
LIKE – Shake hands so we can like you. Shake hands so we can relate to you. Shake hands so we can have conversations with you.
We are here to have conversations. If you aren’t commenting on content here, you aren’t opening the door to potential opportunities here either.
I can’t give you the exact number but so many people have told me about relationships that have grown dramatically after conversations that have started in the comments.
First, you comment, then they comment and then that conversation moves to the DMs. It happens all the time.
Next…
The last ingredient in KNOW, LIKE and TRUST is the most important. TRUST!
The only way we can trust you as an expert, trust you as someone knowledgeable in your subject area, or trust you with our business is if you EARN that trust.
When you showcase your expertise and knowledge in your content AND when you allow us into your world to tell us the stories of who you are outside of your business, you are earning that trust.
Can I let you in on a little secret?
Trust is not earned overnight.
Inbound business can only come your way if you earn it time and time again. That trust is not earned in one post, two posts, or even five posts. Often people follow you for months or longer before they reach out.
Sometimes it happens sooner but those instances are rare.
Never underestimate the people who are watching but not reacting, commenting, etc., because you never know who’s watching you.