My Top 10 LinkedIn questions

1. Where do I start on LinkedIn?
2. What do I post about?
3. Should I post personal content on LinkedIn?
4. How do I approach people?
5. Do I need LinkedIn Premium or Sales Navigator?
6. Should I use hashtags on my posts?
7. How do I increase my Social Selling Index (SSI)?
8. Should I put links in my posts?
9. Do I need a company page?
10. How do I get more engagement and visibility?

Welcome to my deep dive into the most frequently asked questions about LinkedIn. If you're looking to enhance your social selling skills, optimise your profile, and drive engagement, you're in the right place. Let's jump straight into the questions that I get asked all the time.

1. Where do I start on LinkedIn?

The most common mistake people make is jumping straight into posting content without first optimising their profile. Your LinkedIn profile is your digital business card. Make sure it's clear who you are, what you do, and who you help. Here’s how to start:

• Headline and Summary: Use your headline to state your value proposition clearly. Your summary should expand on this, highlighting your key skills, achievements, and what makes you unique.
• Profile Picture and Background: A professional photo is a must. Your background image can be used to reinforce your personal brand.
• Experience and Skills: Detail your work experience, focusing on achievements rather than just job descriptions. List skills that are relevant to your target audience.
• Recommendations and Endorsements: Gather recommendations from colleagues, clients, and peers. These serve as social proof of your expertise and professionalism.

Optimising your profile attracts the right connections, showcases your value, and converts visitors into leads. Before you think about content, get your profile spot on.

2. What should I post about?

Focus on a few core topics that directly link to the value you offer. It's tempting to post about everything under the sun, but it's more effective to stick to two or three key areas. Share insights, experiences, and tips that align with your services. Here’s how to approach your content:

• Identify Core Topics: Choose 2-3 areas that align with your expertise and the interests of your target audience.
• Value-Driven Posts: Share practical tips, industry insights, and case studies that provide real value.
• Personal Stories: Occasionally share personal anecdotes and backstory elements to humanize your brand. Ensure these are relevant and tie back to your core topics.
• Engagement Content: Ask questions, share polls, and create content that invites interaction and discussions.

The goal is to establish yourself as an expert in those areas.

3. Should I post personal content on LinkedIn?

A sprinkle of personal content can enhance trust and relatability. Think about how much personal information you would share in a face-to-face meeting with a client. Here’s the balance you should aim for:

• Professional Personal Blend: Share stories that reveal your values, work ethic, and personality without oversharing.
• Relevance: Ensure that your personal posts still align with your professional brand. For example, discussing a personal challenge and how you overcame it can be inspiring and relevant.
• Moderation: Avoid turning LinkedIn into a personal vlog. Personal updates should complement your professional content, not overshadow it.

Sharing some personal stories can build trust, but oversharing can damage your professional image. Find a balance that maintains professionalism while giving a glimpse into your personal life.

4. How should I outreach to people?

Cold outreach has a notoriously low response rate. Instead, focus on well-researched and relevant outreach. Engage with your prospects' content first, build familiarity, and then send a personalized message that shows you understand their needs. Here’s a step-by-step approach:

• Research: Understand the person you’re reaching out to. Look at their profile, recent posts, and company information.
• Engage: Like, comment on, and share their posts. This builds familiarity and shows genuine interest.
• Personalize: When you do send a message, make it specific to them. Reference something they’ve posted or an achievement they’ve had.
• Value Proposition: Clearly state how you can help them. Make your outreach about providing value rather than asking for something.

This approach significantly increases your chances of a positive response.

5. Do I need Premium or Sales Navigator?

Absolutely, yes. The free version of LinkedIn is limited in its ability to find and connect with the right people. Here’s why Sales Navigator is worth the investment:

• Advanced Search: Find the right leads faster with detailed search filters.
• Lead Recommendations: Get suggestions for leads based on your preferences and search history.
• InMail: Reach out to people outside your network with InMail messages.
• Insights: Gain deeper insights into your prospects and their activities.

Sales Navigator offers advanced search capabilities, better lead recommendations, and greater insight into prospects. It’s an investment that saves time and enhances the effectiveness of your outreach efforts.

6. Should I use hashtags on my posts?

Hashtags are less critical now on LinkedIn. Focus on keyword relevance instead. Here’s how to keep your content relevant:

• Keywords: Use relevant keywords naturally within your posts. LinkedIn's algorithm prioritises content based on topic relevance.
• Consistency: Be consistent with the topics you discuss. This helps LinkedIn understand your content focus and recommend it to the right audience.
• Hashtags: If you do use hashtags, keep it minimal and relevant to the main topics you cover.

LinkedIn's algorithm is more concerned with the consistency of your topics and the relevance of your content. Stick to your core topics and use keywords naturally within your posts.

7. How do I increase my social selling index?

The Social Selling Index (SSI) is often misunderstood. It’s a nice-to-have metric, but it doesn't guarantee sales or leads. Here’s what you should focus on instead:

• Engagement: Engage genuinely with your network. Comment on posts, share valuable content, and participate in discussions.
• Consistency: Post regularly and maintain a consistent presence.
• Value: Focus on providing value through your posts and interactions.

High SSI scores don’t necessarily correlate with business success. Focus on genuine engagement and providing value to your network.

8. Should I put links in my posts?

Posting links can reduce your reach. If you must share a link, do it sparingly. Here’s how to handle links:

• Strategic Linking: Only share links when it’s necessary and adds significant value.
• Alternative: Consider putting the link in the comments rather than the main post, but be aware this can also reduce reach.
• Frequency: Limit how often you direct people off the platform. Keep most of your content engaging and within LinkedIn.

A strategic approach is to limit link-sharing to specific campaigns or important announcements, keeping most of your content engaging and within the platform.

9. Do I need a company page?

For solopreneurs and small businesses, a company page can serve as validation but is not essential. Here’s when to consider a company page:

• Brand Building: If you’re building a larger brand or plan to hire employees, a company page can help establish your brand’s presence.
• Validation: Even a simple company page with basic information can validate your business.
• Profile Focus: For most small businesses, your personal profile will be more effective for lead generation and engagement.

Your personal profile is more powerful for lead generation and engagement. Only invest in a company page if you're building a larger brand or planning to expand your business significantly.

10. How do I get more engagement and visibility?

Consistency is key. Post regularly, engage with your audience, and provide value. Here’s how to boost engagement:

• Consistent Posting: Post at regular times on consistent days to build a habit among your followers.
• Engaging Content: Share content that invites interaction. Ask questions, create polls, and share insights that prompt discussion.
• Content Mix: Balance attract content (attention-grabbing), nurture content (value-driven), and convert content (promotional).
• Engagement Strategy: Actively engage with others. Comment on posts, join discussions, and connect with relevant people.

Balance your content between attracting attention, nurturing relationships, and converting leads. Engage with relevant people in your network to ensure your content reaches the right audience.

Final Thoughts

LinkedIn is a powerful tool when used correctly. Start with a strong profile, focus your content, and engage genuinely with your network. The answers to these top questions should set you on the right path to success.

Have more questions or need detailed advice? Drop me a message on LinkedIn. Ready to act? DM me to get leads, clients, and freedom.