How to Slay the LinkedIn Game: 4 Ways to Make LinkedIn Work for You

If you were to ask me what my favorite social media platform is, LinkedIn would not be my No. 1. I love (borderline am obsessed with) Instagram and Pinterest. But, as a professional, I know that LinkedIn is crucial to achieving my goal of becoming a thought leader in my industry.

With that in mind, I’ve learned a few key things about LinkedIn that can be useful for anyone, whether you’re new to the platform, interested in networking or wanting to increase your business.

Say No to the Selfie

Leave the wedding photos and car selfies for Facebook and Instagram. A professional head shot can take your profile from amateur to pro in a single click.

It’s Okay to Brag

Write a killer summary. This is a space for you to tell your story the way you want it told! You have 2,000 characters to tell people why you’re important and why they should listen to what you have to say -- make them count! Pro Tip: To avoid any spelling or grammar errors, write your summary out in Microsoft Word first.

For more tips on perfecting your summary, click here.

Don’t Be a Stranger

LinkedIn is a fantastic networking tool. On Facebook, it’s creepy to add people you don’t know to your friend list, whereas on LinkedIn it’s totally acceptable to add strangers, but make sure you include a message explaining why you’d like to connect. Once connected, nurture the relationship by following up, congratulating on recent achievements and offering helpful career advice.

Post Relevant Content

Whether you want to be a brand ambassador for your company or a thought leader in your industry, sharing relevant content is key. You can post articles from your favorite sites like Forbes, Bloomberg and other business websites. If you’re ready to produce your own content, it’s easy to do with LinkedIn’s article feature. As hard as it may be, keep your political opinions and salad photos to yourself!

Have any LinkedIn tips to share? Feel free to post them in the comments below!