4 Common Mistakes for LinkedIn Users
New to LinkedIn? No worries – there are many other people who are new or just starting to leverage this powerful platform. There are some common mistakes for LinkedIn users that you, too, may be making on this powerful B2B platform.
4 Most Common Mistakes for LinkedIn Users
Have you made the switch to LinkedIn? With influencers in the B2B space touting it as the “hottest new social media platform,” you’ve probably jumped on and at least made a profile.
I’m here to tell you that you need to get serious on LinkedIn. It's an untapped potential space filled with decision makers, movers and shakers.
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If you’re new to the space (or even not put a lot of intention in your linkedIn presence) you may be making some BIG mistakes. If you can avoid these common mistakes for LinkedIn users, you'll really stand apart from others on the platform.
You dump and ghost.
May I confess? I’m guilty of this. I’m writing this actively thinking… I hope none of the readers check on my LinkedIn activity this week because this is an improvement area for me.
It’s very easy to load up your Buffer/Hootsuite/media manager of choice with the best and most exciting content. I spend HOURS each week thinking of content strategy.
But once it is OUT THERE, you need to go back and interact with that content. Beyond your own content, you need to actively spend time browsing and interacting with the content from your connections and their communities.
When I’m doing WELL at this, I have regular time set out to get on and interact on LinkedIn. Get it on your calendar – it is critical to spend targeted time scrolling and interacting on the platform.
Sending out content but not taking the time to actively interact on the platform is like planting your garden and never going out to pick it. To enjoy the bounty of your hard work, you need to actually engage with content so that you are more connected and engaged.
Your profile is a skeleton.
You should be thoughtfully editing your profile on a regular basis. Expanded your responsibilities at work? Add it. Offering a new product or service? Get it in your profile NOW. Volunteer activities and projects should be included as well.
When I see a person with lots of similar activity, I am likely going to click on their profile. And once I get to that profile, I want to take a few minutes to learn more about them and what they are about.
If your profile is not detailed, you miss out a critical opportunity to deepen your connections and make sure the RIGHT people find you.
You’re not curating your connections.
We’ve all been there. It’s a random Tuesday night, and you are getting ready to go to bed, and a random “Invite” icon pops up from your LinkedIn app. You’ve never heard the name and the profile picture is unfamiliar to you, but you click “Connect” because you don’t want to take the time to investigate.
By morning, you’ve forgotten about the connection (unless of course they immediately send you a sales spam, which is a whole different soap box).
You have allowed that connection into your space. Which is fine, except now they are part of your feed and interaction circle. Do you want them there?
For a newbie to the platform, your aim might be getting as many connections as possible. For someone like me, with well over 500 connections, that space is precious. The more connections I have the less activity I am able to see while scrolling.
For me, if I don’t have a real connection with someone (either in person or a common connection), I am not likely to accept unless they’ve included a note why they are connecting. And if they DO have a note included, I likely only accept those that have common interests or other compelling reasons to add to my network.
You’re not on brand.
Yes it's true, LinkedIn is not Facebook. I see people hop onto highly personal or political posts and comment that LinkedIn is not the space for posts like that. But I’m going to take it one step further.
Anything you include on your LinkedIn profile or feed should be on brand.
You should have a clear understanding of your goals from LinkedIn, who you want to connect with, and how you are using your presence to build your professional credibility. Want to add a picture of your dog? Make a statement on a government policy? That's fine if it aligns with your professional objectives and brand.
Am I telling you to censor yourself? What about “stay in your lane?” Absolutely not. You have the right to share whatever you want on your LinkedIn page. AND Be wary of what takes you away from your brand. Too much noise is a BAD thing for creating a social media space that is reflective of your aims and goals.
