If you’re working to build your brand in 30 days – congratulations, you’re half way there now.
Your new workbook is attached to this lesson for you to download.
Your LinkedIn Profile should be up and active. There’s a checklist on page 1 of your Week 3 Workbook.
Going forward, it’s all about increasing your exposure and building a network of contacts you can utilize to find your next career. It really is about who you know (whether that’s in person or in an online community).
A lot of jobs aren’t posted. So it’s very important you get comfortable with talking to people about potential jobs. Most job information travels through word-of-mouth (or in emails, texts, etc…). As soon as you are comfortable, let your network know you are looking. If you’re targeting a specific company, ask your network if they have any contacts they can introduce you too.
LinkedIn is all about making connections, from individuals you know personally to individuals you wish you knew. That’s why we started your branding journey with your Profile.
LinkedIn is the leader among social channels when it comes to professional networking. New LinkedIn user ask: “Who should be in my network? Who shouldn’t I connect with?”
Of course, you’ll start with your contact list and then begin reaching out. But it can be a challenge to get to the 500+ connection marl. After you’ve exhausted your own contacts list, it can be a challenge, especially when you want to make sure connections are relevant and add value to your network.
As we go through the next few days, you’ll follow these tips to grow your network in an appropriate, useful way.
1. Personalize Your Connection Requests
Don’t just click “connect” on the “people you may know” list when you see it on LinkedIn. If you do, LinkedIn will send a generic request. Instead, go to the person’s profile page and click the “connect” button there. Doing so will bring up the box and allow you to add a personal note with your connection request.
2. Follow Up
Believe it or not, networking still happens by actually meeting people face-to-face. Did you meet someone at a trade show, career fair or conference? Did you volunteer or serve on a committee for a charity event with them? Maybe they’re the owner of your favorite coffee shop, you yoga instructor, or former classmates already in the workforce…you get the idea. It’s easy to overlook connections you come in contact with every day.
3. Set Goals
Growing from 100 connections to 500+ may seem impossible. However, if you divide that number over many weeks or months, it doesn’t seem so big. For example, instead of setting a goal of going from 100 connections to 500+, try setting your goal to 175 connections within two weeks; then repeat. Remember, the key to setting goals is to make them realistic.
Word of caution here, it’s important to refrain from spamming people you don’t know. Quality matters more than quantity. Don’t expect all your connection requests to accept your invitation.
4. Post Consistently
When a connection likes, shares or comments on your status update, all of their connections are more likely to see your original post in their feed. If your content seems relevant, those “2nd degree connections” may connect with you.
Posting consistently creates opportunities for engagement, by spreading your content across home page feeds everywhere. Don’t be concerned about annoying people by posting to much. LinkedIn’s algorithms are tricky, and your network isn’t likely to see every post unless you publish an article using LinkedIn’s blogging tool.
5. Include Pictures
Using images on social posts significantly increase engagement with people in your existing network and exposure to potential connections. Research shows that using visual content increases views by 11 times.
6. Return the Favor
Engaging with your existing connections puts your profile directly in front of their networks. A simple “like” or comment like “Thanks for sharing” on their post is all it takes.