If you are not retired and looking to build your professional network. I have 3 reasons why you should sign up for LinkedIn today!
Once upon a time, LinkedIn was known as the social media network for active, and passive, job seekers to post their resume online. I remember when I first created my account, I didn’t populate it at least for a month or two. By the time I did, it was with the bare minimum. I had just enough to feel out each section, which at the time was not nearly as much as they have today. That was circa 2009.
Now 10 years later, I have what LinkedIn describes as an All-Star profile. You may have started to read this post with a basic LinkedIn profile like I had back in 2009. You are probably looking for tips to improve your account, if this is you, STOP! Click this link to take a short survey to help me with my next FREE guide.
If you have never heard of LinkedIn, heard of it but don’t know if you should create an account, KEEP READING. This one’s for you!
What is LinkedIn?
Informally I would describe this social media platform as the place where the professionals like to hang out. But if you google LinkedIn, you will see under the LinkedIn.com result the website is described as the place to “manage your professional identity, build and engage your professional network, as well as access knowledge, insights, and opportunities.”
Similar to other social media networks, you can connect with people you know IRL (in real life) and people you have met along your professional journey. This is perfect if you are just starting out in your career or making a career swift and need to build new connections. LinkedIn is one account every professional should have an account with no matter how non-technical the industry may be.
If you want to learn more about LinkedIn, click here to download my FREE guide. I go into further detail about LinkedIn and help you get started with creating an account.
I Have Reasons Why Should You Join LinkedIn
There are 3 specific reasons you should get a LinkedIn account if you don’t have one already. If you do have one but never took it serious these 3 reasons should inspire you to go over and optimise your profile.
#1. It is a Dynamic, Online Version of Your Resume
If you have never seen LinkedIn, check out my profile here.
As you can see from viewing my profile, I can include all the ‘general’ information you would expect to see on a traditional resume. Such as an ‘About’ section which is built off what is typically an objective statement. I have my Work experience, Educational background, plus my Volunteer activities. The major difference between my LinkedIn profile and a traditional resume is that my LinkedIn profile is dynamic.
Let me explain what I mean by the first of my LinkedIn reasons…
While you can update the electronic version of your resume as often as daily. Typically it’s not something you do unless you are applying for a new job or are asked for it say to apply for a grant or scholarship. If you’re anything like me, you probably haven’t thought about your resume since starting your current job. Plus finding where you saved it on your computer or within the cloud is another task.
That is why I say LinkedIn is a dynamic, online version of your resume. Not only can you maintain whatever frequency for updates you would on your ‘static’ resume. There is a greater chance of more people seeing it just because they are on the website or app then when you send it out for job applications or that grant/scholarship you want to get.
The potential reach your LinkedIn profile is exposed to is a major reason why you should sign up for it.
If you don’t know how to get started with LinkedIn, I have a FREE step-by-step guide to help walk you through the process.
#2. Establish Professional Social Proof
For the purposes of this post, I am going to assume you are not a social media manager for a brand. If you are, skip this first paragraph as I am going to break down what social proof is. From my friends over at Buffer, when it comes to marketing social proof is the psychological phenomenon where people assume the actions of others in an attempt to reflect correct behavior for a given situation. But what does that really mean, Terri? Simply put it the evidence you have to prove your authority in a particular field and/or on a specific subject matter.
When we look and marketing from a non-personal brand standpoint, it is pretty easy for us to recognise a brand’s social proof. Coca Cola and Pepsi in the soft drink/beverage world. The Body Shop for social conscious beauty products. H&M and Forever 21 for fast fashion styles.
Alternatively, when it comes to public figures, unless we KLT (know, like and trust) them, we are not as easily persuaded to believe what they say. Using LinkedIn to build your professional clout is perfect for the 21st century as it gives you access to a broader audience for free*. You are able to make genuine professional connections on a topic you are passionate and knowledgeable about. This is not something that generations past had at their fingertips.
* means that while you don’t have to pay to have an account with LinkedIn, you are required to agree to their terms which depending on your opinion on the terms may be an intangible cost to you.
#3. Manage Your Professional Network Where They Hang Out
Maybe saying ‘hang out’ is corny. Maybe it’s appropriate. Either way! Let’s talk about meeting your target audience right where they are. At this point, I hope you have gathered that you are marketing yourself online. This is true for every social media platform you have an account with. It may be intentional (where you have a specific strategy). It also may be unintentional (where you post to keep your friends and family updated on your life).
Whichever group you fall into, knowing where your audience hangs out is key to getting the most benefit online. Since we have been talking about LinkedIn today, I suspect your target audience are:
- like-minded professionals (colleagues or new connections),
- potential bosses,
- HR representatives,
- mentors, etc.
While I am sure each of these persons may have one other social media account such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. They are not using those other platforms as heavily for “work-related stuff” as they are using LinkedIn.
If they are, they are doing it wrong! Hence why I created theses LinkedIn reasons blog post.
LinkedIn does a great job of suggesting new connections with you based on your profile updates. If you’re not sure how to optimise your profile, download my FREE guide today. I have a section where I walk you through the basics, step-by-step.
While vanity metrics are still a thing on LinkedIn. Your primary goal should be to have built a network of people you know IRL. The powerful thing about LinkedIn is that when you see people who are outside of your network, you can see the actual degree of separation. By that I mean, a 1st connection is someone you have within your primary network. Those outside of your primary network are your 2nd and 3rd, etc. connections. This is major when you start to think about how you want to leverage the platform to grow your social capital on and offline.
I could personally go on for hours on the topic of LinkedIn. Social media is one of my digital loves. I recognise the potential this particular platform has in helping young professionals leverage their skills. Formally educated or not. Each one of us can use LinkedIn to grow professionally.
If you would like to dive deeper into tips and tricks for LinkedIn. Click here to learn more about my LinkedIn Lessons.
