Make LinkedIn Great Again. A guide to optimizing your LinkedIn…
By: Haya Al Qadi
Tags: Entrepreneurship, Guides And Tutorials, LinkedIn, Education, Social Media

1. Don't stop at posting your certification

You take a course and successfully complete it, as a result, you are now certified and eager to share it with your network via LinkedIn. Rather than posting how accomplished you feel, maybe go one step further by offering your insights and tips on how you went about achieving it. In addition, rate the course as a guide for everyone.

This technique will definitely help you stand out and portray you as someone who is willing to share experiences in support of others.

2. Achieved something? Offer free support for continual practice

Entrepreneurs educate where they share their knowledge with the rest of the world. They understand that success is through active engagement with the community which is the best way to learning the market needs.

You got certified, offer some valuable insights on what you learned. Maybe also offer to share your resources with a business or colleagues for free as a way to learn and practice. This will enhance your networking skills and introduce you to different opportunities you didn't know existed! Every interaction counts.

3. Don’t just add anybody, curate your circle of followers like you would in real life

There seems to be a trend of hitting the 500+ mark. In desperation, adding just anybody seems enticing but there is a cost to that.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying don't network with just anybody, but if you're looking to find a Job your chances as a marketer won’t lay in the engineering field unless they have a marketing department. Furthermore, adding just anybody out of your industry knowledge won't enhance your insights about the relevant marketplace.

You learn through people, and that is the power of LinkedIn.

Therefore, find the right active people that you know you can learn valuable knowledge from.

4. Don't neglect LinkedIn Stories

Video ranks above all in consuming content. Stories are a great way to organically share your interests and insights. Since its inception is still relatively young, start now before you get lost in the noise of many bigger brands or influencers.

Don't be afraid to get creative on LinkedIn stories, this is your chance to stand out.

5. LinkedIn is proof that a story sells

People love feel-good stories. LinkedIn is notorious for that. How often have you scrolled through posts of HR sharing a story about how they hired someone based on intuition rather than experience. Or how they hired someone young because the candidate showed determination.

People feed off hope. The idea that we all can someday be that someone who made it is what drives engagement.

Don't be afraid to share your story, however, stay genuine.

6. The tone of voice: choose empathy

Don’t use LinkedIn to sell yourself but rather humanize who you are.

It is obvious when someone gloats their achievements. There is nothing wrong with sharing accomplishments but the tone of voice is critical. Always start by addressing a general idea and move towards a personal story that is genuine and authentic. Sharing your vulnerabilities is not a sign of weakness, but rather it humanizes you and allows people to relate to you. Here is an example:

“During these tough times, it is without a doubt that accomplishing something can seem daunting. Feeling demotivated, I am proud to have finally completed the X course. After many days of procrastinating and finding excuses to avoid completing it… here are some tips I would like to share with you on how I went about maximizing my efforts in acclaiming the certification”