Power of a Post: How to Leverage Your Expertise on LinkedIn
As marketing guru Gary Vaynerchuk once said, “Content is king, but context is God.”
Whether you’re a social media influencer or a small business owner, it should go without saying that creating relevant and appropriate content for your target audience is necessary to stay ahead in today’s market.
Social media networks like Facebook and Instagram have their place for relevant and appropriate content, but there are many advantages to building your platform and posting regularly for business-oriented audiences found on LinkedIn.
Here are three tips on how to leverage your expertise and network on LinkedIn:
Know What You Bring to the Table Before You Start Posting
This advice sounds like common sense to most people. After all, why bother posting if you don’t have anything special to say on social media?
LinkedIn is a platform that is centered around providing people with new ideas, thoughts, and insights into their own personal and professional environments. Most people on LinkedIn are looking to connect with others in their industry, get inspiration, find jobs and even gain skills.
Ask yourself: How can my content contribute in a meaningful way to the platform? Why would people seek out my content on this particular platform? What's my unique selling point in my industry and on this platform in particular?
Regardless of your reasons for using LinkedIn, it’s important that you understand exactly what your target audience is looking for and how you can deliver. Failure to understand your audience and what you bring to the table to address their needs could interrupt your ability to consistently provide valuable content.
Be Honest, Thoughtful, and Appropriate in your Posts
LinkedIn, compared to other social media platforms, is mostly centered around jobs, business and entrepreneurship. It’s important to understand how your target audience will interpret your posts in that context. So be professional!
This is not to say that you can't express an opinion on a certain hot button issue – just make sure to use tact and watch your tone.
Suppose that you want to express your thoughts and frustrations on the COVID-19 pandemic. While it’s one thing to vent your frustrations about the situation on LinkedIn (and other social media platforms), it’s another to provide useful insights and possible solutions for your target audience in a way that is honest and positive (e.g., what did you learn from going through this experience).
And since LinkedIn is a huge job-hunting platform, you never know who may be reading your posts down the road.
Keep Your Posts As Concise As Possible
Depending on the audience, it’s always a good idea to keep your posts concise and to-the-point. There is so much content posted daily, and it’s hard to grab everyone’s attention on LinkedIn these days.
Get in and get out with your message with posts that are brief but memorable.
Side note: If you want to post an article on LinkedIn, be sure to include a link to the article in your post so your target audience can click on it easier.
Obviously, there is more to consider in the power of a LinkedIn post, but hopefully by following these 3 tips you will:
Know What You Bring to the Table Before You Start Posting
Be Honest, Thoughtful, and Appropriate in Your Posts
Keep Your Posts Brief but Memorable
You’ll have a better chance of leveraging your expertise on LinkedIn and other social media platforms.
Have another tip that you would like to bring to the table? Let us know in the comments below!