When it comes to LinkedIn, there’s etiquette and best practices involved which makes this professional networking platform stand out from others. Avoid these mistakes and make those small changes, that will really make all the difference.
Overusing hashtags looks spammy
Overusing hashtags on LinkedIn looks very messy, makes your post difficult to read and only drowns your message in unnecessary noise. You might use lots of hashtags on Instagram, but LinkedIn is not Instagram! If you’re hash-tagging every possible keyword in the hope of being found in every possible search, you’ll put a lot of people off.
I would recommend that you use hashtags strategically, here’s some great resource on LinkedIn tips and tricks.
Tag people only when it’s relevant to them
I am sometimes tagged in LinkedIn posts that have nothing to do with me – and I believe that this strategy can backfire. I believe LinkedIn’s algorithm is getting smarter and apparently it now de-emphasizes posts in the news feed if those people tagged within it don’t engage with it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s fine to tag someone when the post is relevant to them.
I wouldn’t generally recommend this action but if you want to stop connections from tagging you in their posts*:
*Source LinkedIn.com Help Centre.
However, for best practice when someone tags you for the right reasons or shares your content please make a point to like their post and leave a ‘thank-you for sharing’ comment.
Posting the wrong types of content
Most importantly, LinkedIn is a business networking platform, yet many people confuse it with Facebook. Mindless and irrelevant posts have become all too familiar with its members. None of these are appropriate for LinkedIn, so ask yourself:
Think of LinkedIn as an extension of your workplace; it’s a professional environment where people do business. If I were you, if you wouldn’t say or share it in the workplace, don’t share it on LinkedIn!
Here’s a great article on things you should avoid posting on LinkedIn.
Posting too frequently
You don’t need to provide your connections with a running commentary of your day or even broadcast every thought that pops into your head. This will only create noise and will annoy your connections, which in turn will result in them removing you as a connection or at least unfollowing you.
I recommend that you post only when you’re inspired to share something that’s more relevant even if that means you only post once or twice a week or even less. Personally, I believe that less is more.
Vanity metrics
It’s easy to be fooled by vanity metrics, large social media numbers can be tempting however, when reviewing your analytics pay attention to those posts which get the most visibility and engagement, and also pay attention to competitors in your sector, especially those who get good engagement. A good rule of thumb is that if a post gets a lot of engagement and views or call to actions clicks (CTA) increase, try to recreate similar posts, where possible.
Summary
If you’ve made the mistake of doing any of the above, then I hope this has inspired you to use LinkedIn more professionally than you may have in the past. I’m confident that if you make a few small changes now, LinkedIn will be more rewarding for you.
My LinkedIn in-house workshops are tailored specifically to your company’s aims and objectives, offering real, practical, intensive and hands-on training that works.
Whether you’re looking for a one to one or group workshop I can help. Prior to your workshop, we’ll discuss your objectives and your workshop will be tailored accordingly. All workshops include 8 weeks’ follow-up, mentoring and support to ensure you succeed as a result.
Get in touch with me at info@bizwizuk.co.uk or call me on 07752 539719 or via our contact page.
By Ann Davies, Director