Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Building A Captivating Linkedin Networking Strategy For Professionals

By Ronald Hamilton


Networking is the anchor of career advancement in the professional world today. While skills are still important, it is how much you expose these skills that is determining your progress. Linkedin is a social interacting platform that provides a chance to connect with other people in your profession. However, you need a Linkedin networking strategy that will deliver results.

Create an outstanding profile on the platform. People searching for talent on the platform will first check at profiles. Whenever a person develops interest in you, the first place to confirm is your profile. Include all the information that would make you sell as a professional. This includes your image, training and experience. Your contact details should also be included.

Connect with the largest number of people possible on the network. The idea behind joining this platform is to connect with other professionals. This is a chance to expose your skills. By connecting with more people, you stand a better chance of finding a job or client. If the circle of your friends is small, your chances of finding a client or work are minimal.

Make connections with more people who can help advance your career. This is not a social networking platform but one intended to bring together professionals. This is why you need to link with fellow professionals and others who can help boost your career. Be cautious about your networking with people in lower cadres because they have the potential of rising and still be valuable. However, spread your time wisely.

Interact with people within your network and platform. A dormant contact will never be noticed. Contribute to debates, tag people, ask question, begin conversations and engage in different ways that raise your profile. Once the people on your radar have noticed you and can appreciate your professional contribution, they trust in your skills and competence. This raises the chances of getting the next opportunity once it is advertised.

It is quality content that will help you build a brand. You are not on the platform to just meet people and interact. You need to position yourself as the next most valuable employee or service provider. This requires constant provision of value. Your content must be thoroughly researched and engaging. People can read your mind and consider you a valuable team member or partner. People will only engage you if they think you can add value to their lives.

There are professional groups on Linkedin waiting for you to join. These groups are more effective because they bring together people of similar interests. The debates and activities in these groups are more focused. It means that you will find people who you share greater interest with. This boosts your chances of getting a valuable client or employment position. You must still be a valuable and active contributor in the group.

There are features on the platform that will prove valuable. They include the ability to tag people, start conversations, comment and engage privately, among others. Maximize on these features. While your profile is important, long term engagements are dependent on your skills. You must therefore continually work on these skills to attract long term rewards.




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