10 Ways to Commit to LinkedIn

 by Alice Heiman

Take advantage of a great networking and relationship management tool, LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a very powerful tool when used correctly.  But just “being” on LinkedIn is not enough. Having a profile on LinkedIn will get you about the same thing as going to a party and standing in the corner. Someone might come up to you, but you can’t expect any results. If you want to get results you have to learn to utilize the tool to interact and commit to doing it.

Below I’ve compiled a list of commitments that will get you results:

3) Commit to network, NOT sell.

LinkedIn is a tool designed for networking, it isn’t designed for selling.  Many people connect with those they don’t know and then immediatly send them sales messages.  Bad move. I hit delete and remove them as a connection.  Focus on building relationships. Look at their profile to find things you have in common and mention those in your message to them in order to build the relationship.

7) Commit to spend at least 15mins on LinkedIn a day.

For my business LinkedIn is one of my most powerful lead generation tools. Fifteen minutes a day goes a long way! Just what can you do in 15mins?
Here’s an example of what I do daily:

• Post an activity: I’ll post what I am doing, an upcoming event or a link to an article.
• Click like, comment or share: I look through the activity feed and see what others are up to and click like or comment. If they posted something my followers would like, I share it.
• Check groups: I check my most important groups to see what has been posted and respond if appropriate. I interact in the conversations and sometimes start one.
• Check messages and invites: Of course I respond to any messages and look to see who has invited me to connect.  If I don’t know the person I read their profile, check their website and then send them a message. I only connect to people I am willing to develop a business relationship with.
• Send a note: I find people I haven’t connected with in a while and send them quick note or a link to an article or event I think they will find interesting.

I don’t do all of these things every time, but throughout the week I will do all of them.  I login to LinkedIn at least once a day for 15 minutes but I schedule time on my calendar to use it as a lead generation tool at least once week for about an hour at a time.

8) Commit to help others.

If you really want to be a powerful LinkedIn user, find ways to help others. Connect people you know who should be connected and let them know why. Invite people to groups they would be interested in. Share valuable information you have read that will interest them. Help them learn to use LinkedIn by sharing this article with them (shameless self promotion).

See all 10 ways and the complete article