I love using LinkedIn. It’s such a powerful platform for anyone targeting people in business. I don’t call it a business-to-business platform because everything on LinkedIn is about developing trust between individuals, and our understanding of what business-to-business or business-to-consumer is has changed a lot.
LinkedIn has become an incredibly effective way to connect with the right people for your business. If your target market includes business owners, professionals, or people working in organisations large or small, then you need to be on LinkedIn.
It’s a beautifully engaged platform where you can build a strong sense of community and network with people who share your values. The more I’ve used LinkedIn, the more I’ve found a group of people who I enjoy connecting with and who align with my values. This helps me not only decide who I want to work with but also who I don’t.
For anyone serious about growing their business, LinkedIn learning—whether that’s about how to optimise your profile or how to use the platform effectively—should be a priority.
What Makes a Strong LinkedIn Profile?
If you want LinkedIn to work for you, start with your profile. Here are the essentials:
Profile Picture
Your profile picture needs to be clear, professional, and relatively up-to-date. It doesn’t have to change every time you get a haircut, but it should reflect how you currently look. Use a welcoming expression—it’s a professional platform, but you still want to appear approachable.
Header
Your LinkedIn header is valuable real estate. Avoid using the generic blue background and instead make it work for you. Use this space to clearly explain what you do or who you help. Add a tagline or a call to action that makes it obvious what you’re about.
Headline
Your headline follows you around LinkedIn, so make the first 80 characters count. Use them to explain the problem you solve and who you solve it for. After that, you can get creative, but those first characters are crucial—they’re what people see wherever your profile shows up.
Profile Summary
Your LinkedIn summary is about you. Write in the first person, make it sound like you talk, and share your values. Use this section to let people get to know who you are, what you care about, and what it’s like to work with you. You can also add media like videos, links, or articles that reflect your work or personality.
Using LinkedIn to Connect
Once your profile is sorted, here’s how to use LinkedIn to start building relationships:
Connect with Others
When you connect, don’t jump straight into selling. Focus on finding people who align with your target market or values. I recommend adding up to 10 people a day who fit your demographic. If you’re already interacting with someone through comments or discussions, that’s a great time to send a connection request.
Engage Daily
Make a habit of commenting on other people’s posts. Add value to the conversation, and avoid making it about selling. This builds your visibility and encourages people to connect with you.
Post Regularly
I post five times a week. You don’t need to start at that level, but consistency is key. Try different types of posts, like:
- Text-only posts
- Posts with images
- Video posts (always subtitle them!)
- Personal stories or values
- Testimonials
Mix it up and keep the focus on adding value. Sales posts should only make up a small part of your content.
Why LinkedIn Learning Matters
Learning how to use LinkedIn effectively takes time, but the results are worth it. It’s not about selling—it’s about building trust, sharing your values, and creating connections with the right people.
The work comes, but it’s with people who already know, like, and trust you, which makes the whole process so much more rewarding.
Want to Make LinkedIn Work for You?
If you’re ready to explore how LinkedIn learning can help grow your business, I’d love to help.
Learn more about working with me here and let’s create a strategy that connects you with the right people for your business.
