You have a LinkedIn account, so now you need to grow your following (and keep them dedicated). LinkedIn is a large platform of businesses to network with. People will follow those they know, admire, are recommended to them and people they find engaging.  To grow your followers, you need to create an engaging profile summary, connect with people you know and write informative or entertaining articles, as well as a few other things.

Grow your following by implementing some of these suggestions…

How to Grow Your Network On LinkedIn

 

First Complete and Optimize Your Profile

Create an optimized profile with relevant keywords, company profile picture and a background photo. People like to see who they are doing business with. Your profile needs to highlight your professional story. Describe why followers should trust you and your company.

Create Your LinkedIn Pages

Create a LinkedIn company page that showcases your company’s unique story that includes its history, mission and culture. Be sure to complete all of the information allowed for your LinkedIn page, to make the best impression on page visitors.

Completely fill out your company profile including:

• • Your Logo
  • Company description
  • Website URL
  • Company size
  • Industry
  • Company type
  • Location

Next, create showcase pages specifically to draw customers to individual pages for different products, services or events. People can follow individual showcase pages, so think of these pages as sub-pages focused on a specific category in your business.

Build Your Network 

Growing your networking is a proactive effort. So, how can you proactively build and grow your network?

1. 1. Follow your current clients and business associates. They will likely follow you in return. Ask existing and potential clients to connect with you on LinkedIn. Adding a personal note when you click connect can remind them of how you met or show them the value your business offers.
   2. Ask your employees to join LinkedIn, listing your business as their place of employment. Their friends and associates will see your link and often follow you.
   3. Add your LinkedIn Follow button to your website, blog and newsletter.
   4. Add your LinkedIn link to your email signature. Email is still one of the best ways to connect with your customers. Having your LinkedIn link in front of them when they read your newsletter encourages them to click through and follow you.
   5. Invite your current followers on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to follow your LinkedIn Page.
   6. Send personalized invitations to people you want to connect with. Replace the default invitation LinkedIn provides with one that is personalized. It shows them you are actually a valuable professional connection.

Engage Your Connections

First, you completed and optimized your LinkedIn profile. Second, you created a LinkedIn company page, with a couple showcase pages to highlight the products and services offered. Third, you created a system to proactively reach out to potential connection, so that you can consistently expand your network.

Now, it’s time to engage your connections! Here are three key ways to do so.

1. Maximize The Potential Of Your Profile

A profile is soooo much more than your name and title. Within your profile, you can add all kinds of content, including documents, white papers, and slide shows. Or you can simply link to them too, which is a great way to get links to your site too. In addition, you may list any certifications and/or awards you have received, to add credibility to your personal brand.

2. Keep Your LinkedIn Profile Updated

When people read the articles you publish on LinkedIn they can find out more about you via your profile. The article is just one way to get attention, but your profile is how they’ll contact you so make sure you have everything filled out and updated always.

3. Post Consistent, Quality Content

Create and follow a consistent posting schedule of good content. Use curated content to build and engage your audience and grow your connections. Be sure to tell where the information came from, tagging the source of the content. Posting consistently is a great way to grow your following. You can share blog posts you’ve written, post updates about your industry or business, or share articles from other websites about your industry, or simply ask questions to get a conversation started.

Final Thoughts

Growing your network on LinkedIn takes, time, just as any marketing effort does. However, when you develop a system for meeting new people, expanding your connections, and engaging those connections, you will find it to be a useful and worthwhile pursuit.

 

Ciao,
Miss Kemya

Are we connected on LinkedIn? If not, connect with Kemya Scott here.