This website uses cookies to store information on your computer. Some of these cookies are used for visitor analysis, others are essential to making our site function properly and improve the user experience. By using this site, you consent to the placement of these cookies. Click Accept to consent and dismiss this message or Deny to leave this website. Read our Privacy Statement for more.
I’m not going to tell you to message 50 people a week. I’m going to show you how to:
Build relationships like you would at an in-person networking event
Follow up without awkwardness
Stay consistent without burning out
And yes, you’ll learn how to create content that supports this strategy too.
Plus: You get extra support with my course. How?
To give you even more support and encouragement as you go, you’ll be able to ask the questions that you need answered below the course and also in my private Facebook support group. You’ll have the chance to ask questions, celebrate wins, and get guidance directly from me and your peers.
Take action alongside others
Get feedback and motivation
Build connection-building habits that stick
We move together in our community, with as much accountability as you want and encouragement at the heart of everything.
Final Thought:
If your LinkedIn content isn’t leading to clients, it’s time to stop shouting into the void and start building a network that’s ready to listen—and ready to buy.
Let’s build those connections with confidence. It starts here.
Posted By Elaine Walsh-McGrath, Managing Director,
09 April 2025
Ever feel like you're shouting into the void on LinkedIn?
You're posting consistently. You're sharing your expertise. You're offering valuable tips and insights.
Yet still... crickets.
If this sounds familiar, I have some good news for you: the problem isn't that you're not good enough, knowledgeable enough, or posting enough.
The problem is that your potential clients can't see themselves in your content.
The "What's In It For Me?" Dilemma
Let's be honest: most people scrolling through LinkedIn are thinking one thing: "What's in it for me?"
They're not thinking about your services, your skills, or even your story. They're thinking about their challenges, their goals, and their needs.
This is where most service providers go wrong on LinkedIn. They focus on sharing what they do rather than showing clients what they'll experience.
Enter: The Client Mirror Method
The Client Mirror Method is something I developed after years of struggling to get traction on LinkedIn. It's a simple yet powerful shift in how you create content.
Instead of thinking, "I do this," think, "This is what my clients experience."
Let me show you how this works with a real example:
Before (focused on you): "I create social media content for coaches."
After (focused on them): "One of my clients went from struggling to post on LinkedIn to signing their first high-ticket client after using this one content shift."
See the difference? The first statement is about you. The second shows potential clients what's possible for THEM.
How to Implement the Client Mirror Method
Here's a step-by-step process to transform your LinkedIn content using this approach:
Step 1: Identify Client Outcomes
What results have your clients actually experienced? Don't just think about what you delivered – think about the impact it had on their business or life.
For example:
Did they save time?
Did they sign new clients?
Did they get more inquiries?
Did they raise their prices?
Did they feel more confident?
Real outcomes create compelling content.
Step 2: Translate Features into Experiences
For every service you offer, ask yourself: "What does this mean for my client?"
Feature: I provide website copywriting Experience: My clients get websites that convert visitors into paying customers
Feature: I offer virtual assistant services Experience: My clients win back 15+ hours every week to focus on business growth
Feature: I teach LinkedIn strategy Experience: My clients start getting inquiries in their DMs instead of having to chase leads
Step 3: Use Client Language
This is crucial: describe outcomes using the exact words and phrases your clients use.
How do you know what language they use? Listen to them!
Pay attention to comments on your posts
Note what they say in discovery calls
Review testimonials and feedback
When you mirror their language back to them, they instantly recognize themselves in your content.
Example: The Client Mirror Method in Action
Let me share a real example from one of my clients, a VA who was struggling to get traction on LinkedIn.
Her original post: "As a virtual assistant, I help busy entrepreneurs manage their email, calendar, and admin tasks so they can focus on growing their business."
Her post using the Client Mirror Method: "'I finally took a full weekend off without checking my inbox once – first time in three years!' – This is what my client told me last Monday after just two weeks of working together. If you're an entrepreneur who hasn't had a proper break in months (or years), let's talk."
The results? Her revised post got 3x more views, 5x more comments, and led to two inquiries in her DMs.
Why? Because other overwhelmed entrepreneurs could see themselves in that story. They could imagine what it would feel like to take a weekend off without worrying about their business.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When implementing the Client Mirror Method, watch out for these pitfalls:
Being too vague about outcomes Instead of "My clients get great results," say "My client increased her email open rate from 15% to 32% in just one month."
Using industry jargon Speak your clients' language, not your industry's terminology.
Making it about you again Watch for subtle ways you might redirect the focus back to your expertise rather than their experience.
The Bottom Line: It's Not About You
Here's the harsh truth that transformed my LinkedIn presence: nobody cares about what you do. They care about what you can do for them.
When I shifted from talking about my LinkedIn expertise to showing people what was possible for THEM on the platform, everything changed.
I started getting client inquiries in my DMs. I got invited to speak at events. I was able to work less while earning the same (or more).
And it all started with this simple mindset shift: make your content about THEM, not you.
Ready to Put This Into Practice?
Take a moment to review your last 5 LinkedIn posts. How many focused on what you do versus what your clients experience?
Try rewriting one using the Client Mirror Method, and I'd love to hear what results you see.
Want to see this method in action, along with my other key LinkedIn strategies? I'm hosting a free LinkedIn masterclass where I'll dive deeper into these techniques and show you exactly how to implement them. In just 60 minutes, you'll learn proven strategies that have helped clients like Kimberly Drain sign new clients after just one training. Register for the webinar here.
Elaine Walsh McGrath is a LinkedIn specialist with 25+ years of experience in marketing and advertising. She worked with major brands like Colgate and Kenco before pivoting to help small businesses and service providers shine on LinkedIn. As a special needs mom to a daughter with Down syndrome, she understands the importance of strategies that work efficiently without wasting precious time.
Posted By Elaine Walsh-McGrath, Managing Director,
05 February 2025
Picture this: You're
at a networking event, and someone hands you their business card. Their
introduction sounds like it was copied from a corporate manual.
That doesn't happen at the events that I go to. Even the most nervous newbie is lovely to chat to. Right?
Now
think about LinkedIn, which is just networking moved online. So many of
us are WAY too formal in that space. And guess what? It's hurting our
chances of connecting with potential clients.
I recently worked
with Sophie, a business coach who was struggling to attract clients
despite her impressive credentials. Her LinkedIn profile checked all the
traditional boxes – professional headshot, detailed work history, and
industry-standard terminology. But something wasn't clicking. During our
session, she shared a story about helping a business that had been
established for 150 years that was struggling, and her eyes lit up as
she described how they worked together to turn things around. That
authentic passion was completely missing from her profile through to her
content.
Here's the truth that many professionals miss: LinkedIn
isn't just a digital resume platform – it's your story's stage. And
right now, you might be telling the wrong story, or worse, no story at
all.
Think about the last time you were captivated by someone's
professional journey on LinkedIn. Was it their list of certifications
that drew you in? Or was it the way they shared their experiences,
challenges, and victories?
Business storytelling isn't just about sharing information – it's about creating connections that resonate with your audience.
Let's talk about what's really happening when someone engages with your LinkedIn presence:
Your
content speaks before you do. Those ultra-formal posts might say
"professional," but do they say "approachable"? Do they reflect the
person your clients actually work with? The best LinkedIn storytelling
shows you as you are – professional yet authentic, confident yet
approachable.
Your daily updates are your ongoing conversation
with your audience. Instead of "Just finished another successful
project," try sharing the journey, the challenges, the learning moments.
Notice the difference? One lists an achievement; the other tells a
story about value and growth.
I worked with another client, Jo,
who transformed her LinkedIn content by leveraging her everyday
experience of being a mental health training provider. Where we started
showing her story instead of telling her stories. It has made a huge
difference to her business and she is currently booked out for months.
Here's what many miss about business storytelling on LinkedIn:
It's
not about perfect grammar or sophisticated language. It's about
authentic communication that bridges the gap between professional
expertise and human connection. Your failures and challenges are as
important as your successes. They show resilience, learning, and
relatability. Share them thoughtfully.
Engagement isn't just about
posting content – it's about continuing the story through meaningful
interactions. Comment with insight, share experiences, ask questions
that matter. The most successful professionals on LinkedIn aren't just
exhibiting their expertise – they're narrating their professional
journey in a way that invites others to connect with their story.
Think
about your current LinkedIn presence. Does it tell your professional
story, or does it just list your professional facts? Does it invite
conversation, or does it create distance? Does it show the value you bring, or just the titles you've held?
Here's how to transform your LinkedIn storytelling:
Start
with your why. Before posting anything, write down why you do what you
do. What drives you? What problems do you love solving? This should
colour everything you share.
Audit your current content through
the lens of storytelling. Is your authentic voice coming through? Would
someone get a sense of what it's like to work with you?
Write
your posts as if you're telling a friend about your professional journey
over coffee. Then edit for clarity while keeping the conversational
tone.
Review your content strategy. Where can you replace corporate jargon with stories of real impact?
Look at your engagement. Are you sharing insights and experiences that add value to your network's story?
After
revamping her approach to storytelling, Sophie's posts and updates were
filled with opportunities that she was ticking off, left, right and
centre. Why? Because her growing followers connected with her story, not
just her services.
Your LinkedIn presence isn't just a
professional requirement – it's an opportunity to tell your business
story in a way that attracts the right clients and opportunities. The
most compelling business narratives aren't found in corporate buzzwords
or formal language. They're found in authentic stories, genuinely
shared.What story is your content telling right now? More importantly,
what story could it be telling?
Take a moment today to look at
your LinkedIn presence through your potential clients' eyes. Are they
seeing the real you, the professional who can help them achieve their
goals? Or are they seeing just another corporate facade?
Your story matters. Tell it well.
If
you know that you need to learn how to get your stories captured so
that it's waaaay easier to share them on LinkedIn then sign up for our
live workshop on the 26th February. It's called Spotlight Stories™ :
Turn Your Real Stories Into Client-Winning Content.
Posted By Elaine Walsh-McGrath, Managing Director,
06 February 2024
Are you using LinkedIn Recommendations to deepen your professional relationships with your network?
Remember the key to success is to act like a human on social... Do you share referrals and references in every day business life? Yes? Well then...
When you work with a new or existing client are you asking them for testimonials, or LinkedIn Recommendations? Do you share recommendations when you work with a supplier? Are you saving them and sharing them?
If not then let’s dig into how you can use LinkedIn Recommendations to build credibility and trust with your followers.
Introduction: Importance of credibility and trust on LinkedIn
Before diving into the details, let's first understand why credibility and trust are crucial on LinkedIn. As a coach or service-based business, establishing yourself as a credible and trustworthy professional is essential to attract clients and build a strong network.
LinkedIn recommendations play a vital role in achieving this. They serve as testimonials from colleagues, clients, and other professionals who have worked with you. Recommendations provide social proof of your skills, expertise, and the positive impact you have made on others.
1. What are LinkedIn recommendations and why do they matter?
LinkedIn recommendations endorse and highlight your skills, qualities, and achievements. They appear on your LinkedIn profile and serve as testimonials from clients who have had a positive experience working with you.
These recommendations matter because they provide valuable insights into your professional character and abilities. They give potential clients and connections a glimpse of what it's like to work with you, building trust and credibility from the perspective of others.
2. How to ask for recommendations (it’s easy!)
Asking for recommendations is easier than you think! Here are some tips to help you get going:
Identify the right people: Reach out to people who have first-hand experience working with you and can vouch for your skills and expertise.
Personalise your request: Craft a personalised message explaining why you value their opinion and how their recommendation can benefit both of you.
Provide guidance: Offer specific suggestions on what you would like them to highlight in their recommendation. I LOVE when people give me an idea of what they need it to say. It saves me time that I don’t have!
Follow up politely: If you don't receive a response, send a gentle reminder after a reasonable amount of time has passed.
3. How to write a great recommendation for others
Writing a stand out recommendation for others can be a powerful way to strengthen your professional relationships and showcase your willingness to support others. Who doesn’t like getting a glowing review?! Right?
Here are some tips to help you write an effective recommendation:
Start with a strong opening: Begin by mentioning how you know the person and briefly highlight their key strengths and accomplishments.
Provide specific examples: Share specific instances or projects where the person excelled and showcase the positive impact they made.
Be yourself: Don’t use overly formal language if that’s not you! And it doesn’t match the person you worked with.
Highlight their unique qualities: Emphasise the qualities that make the person stand out and explain why they are a valuable asset.
Keep it concise and authentic: Be genuine in your praise and keep the recommendation concise, focusing on the most significant contributions and skills.
End with a strong closing: Conclude the recommendation by expressing your confidence in the person's abilities and your willingness to recommend them to others.
4. How to showcase recommendations on your LinkedIn profile
Once you have received recommendations, it's important to showcase them effectively on your LinkedIn profile to make the most of them. Here's how:
Create a post that highlights the recommendation and thank the person who took the time to write it. Make sure to tag them in the post.
Make sure to screenshot the recommendations and use them on your website, in emails, and use them as social proof when you are talking about your services on social media.
Showcase relevant recommendations: If you have received recommendations specific to certain industries or services, make sure to highlight them in relevant sections of your profile.
Compliments build positive relationships
As with everything on social media. Remember to act like a human! Everyone loves a compliment. If you have genuine experience of working with someone who was a pleasure to work with then share it!
LinkedIn recommendations are powerful tools that can significantly enhance your credibility and trustworthiness. By understanding how to ask for recommendations, write compelling recommendations for others, and showcase them effectively on your profile, you can establish yourself as a trusted professional in your industry. Start leveraging recommendations today and see the positive impact it can have on your LinkedIn presence.
Make sure to message me and let me know if you notice a difference in how you feel about LinkedIn recommendations if you start using them!
Posted By Elaine Walsh-McGrath, Managing Director,
10 January 2024
In the ever-evolving world of online presence and professional networking, the need for a standout personal brand on platforms like LinkedIn has become paramount. Last year when I met talented photographer at an online WIBN meeting, Albane McGuinness, I knew I wanted to work with her. When I created my course the Real Me Wins Clients on LinkedIn, it was missing a little je ne sais quoi! Because I knew that if you wanted to create a stand out personal brand on LinkedIn you needed not just amazing branding, great copy but also fab photography!
Networking is amazing not just for meeting others, the support that you get, the business growth you can achieve but also for giving opportunities that you may not have considered. Like a fab collab! And so on the 17th January Albane and I alongside a wonderful Branding Expert, Namrata are holding a live paid workshop called "How to Shine on LinkedIn," coupled with a bonus course titled "The Real Me Wins Clients on LinkedIn."
The Workshop:
Scheduled for January 17th at 10 am on Zoom, the live workshop promises participants a transformative experience. Hosted by Elaine Walsh McGrath (that's me!), I'm an award winning Content Strategy and LinkedIn Coach, the event introduces two experts - Namrata Vijayakar, a Brand Design Specialist, and Albane McGuinness, a Brand Photographer.
What to Expect:
The 60-minute live workshop aims to empower participants with essential insights into utilizing branding to shine on LinkedIn. Namrata Vijayakar will share her expertise on leveraging branding to make a lasting impression. Meanwhile, Albane McGuinness will delve into the transformative power of personal brand photography, providing invaluable tips on creating personalized brand images.
Included Bonus Course:
To ensure a comprehensive learning experience, the workshop comes bundled with a bonus course - "The Real Me Wins Clients on LinkedIn." Elaine emphasizes the importance of authenticity, urging participants to embrace their unique qualities. The course includes:
1. Authentic Me Workbook with Supporting Tutorials
2. Content Workbook & Tutorial
3. Branding Cheatsheet
4. Storytelling Copy Prompts with Tutorial
5. 10 x Content Ideas to Reveal YOU!
6. Trello Board for Organisation
7. Q&A Support within the Course Portal
8. Lifetime Access to Course Material
I'm on a mission to help more service based businesses stand out on LinkedIn so that they can land more clients that they love to work with.
So coaches and service providers I'd love you to join us so that you have the tools you need to stand out on LinkedIn. By focusing on personal branding and authentic self-expression, you can expect not only to enhance your online presence but also to build a connection with their audience that goes beyond the superficial. If you've been contemplating building a personal brand on LinkedIn, this workshop and bonus course are tailored just for you. Don't miss the chance to discover the keys to shining on LinkedIn and unlocking your true potential in the world of online professional networking. Are you in?
Posted By Elaine Walsh-McGrath, Managing Director,
13 September 2023
When you are taking a break from your business do you promise yourself that you’ll stay switched off while you’re on holidays?
✅ Me too.
Do you schedule your posts, and delete the social media apps from your phone?
✅ Yeah I do too.
Turn on the out of office notification?
✅ Yep, me too.
But then maybe after a week do you just allow yourself to check one thing?
🙋♀️ Confession time…I did.
Now in my defence. We had returned home from Wexford where I ran around the forest with Síofra looking for the Gruffalo, swam in the sea, ate chips at the arcade, held a bunny at the petting farm… your typical Irish family holiday.
So bags being unpacked… back home… I jumped on the WiFi, and hit download on the LinkedIn App.
I know, technically I was still on holiday! But I couldn’t help myself!
A message popped up from Ben from DigiMarCon. Inviting me to speak at the Dublin Conference. Being the cynic that I am, I had to check if it was legit, so I googled it and sure enough it was listed as one of the top digital conferences to attend.
So I said YES. And so on the 4th September only a couple of weeks later I presented my keynote presentation "I'm not Sarah Connor, But Human Nature not BOTs = Content that Converts." to a room full of digital marketers, agencies and tech companies.
Now that’s the short version of this tale! The part one. Of course, outfits had to be bought, presentations put together, the wonderfulNamrata Vijayakar - Brand Design Specialistdesigned a new logo for me, rebranded my colour scheme and then I had to practise it all while looking after Síofra and getting everything ready for her new school year!
Not to mention calming my nerves, overcoming my self doubt, and worrying about whether my presentation was good enough but doing it anyway!
Because I have over 50,000 hours of experience in marketing. I’ve pitched to some of the biggest companies in the world.
So what did I have to be nervous about?!! (But I was!) It’s human nature, I guess.
So why am I telling you this?
Well it occurred to me that on the 11th August I didn’t have “Keynote Speaker” in my LinkedIn Headline. I had listed the fact thatI will help you Land More Clients with Clear Messaging and Content, that I’m a LinkedIn Expert, and that I can help you with your Digital and Social Media Strategy.
So that means that it was my experience, credibility and authority that drew the organisers of DigiMarCon’s attention to my LinkedIn profile.It helped me get found, known and achieve this opportunity.Which will undoubtedly lead to a growth in my visibility and further success in my business.
So forget the digital part. Does that sound like an opportunity that you’d enjoy?
Is speaking on someone else’s platform something that you would like to do?
To get up on a stage and speak to a room full of potential buyers or people who could refer you and recommend you?
And if you’re thinking yes, then what’s stopping you?
If you have the authority and credibility in your field of expertise, then you could do it.Butyou’ve got to be found first.
Here is what you have to do:
1. Demonstrate your authority in your area of expertise on LinkedIn. Positioning yourself as a thought leader by sharing relevant content both that you create, in the form of articles and posts, and also by sharing relevant third party content with your opinion.
2. Make sure that it is clear in your profile that you are an expert in your field. Put key words relating to the subject that you would like to present on, in your LinkedIn Headline (Title) Share how many years of experience that you have in the field.
3. List the relevant experience that you have from the years of work that you have or the qualifications that you have that demonstrates you are a leading expert.
4. Ensure that you are producing content that is engaging and shows that you can speak to your subject matter. Share videos. Be open to featuring on podcasts, LinkedIn Live interviews or LinkedIn Audio Events.
If today you’re thinking that you’re not sure that it would be strong enough to attract the right people to get you in the right rooms then that’s ok. Because if you have the expertise, the credibility, the authority then everything else can be created, step by step.
Just like meyou can be found, know and attract clients and opportunities that will grow your visibility and your business on LinkedIn.Just like I have.
Now can we be real? I can’t show you how to do that in a live video or a blog post or even a MasterClass.
It’s something that I’m going to help 20 people achieve in my next 16 week group program, LinkedIn to Leads, that launches, end of September.
Together, we’re going tocreate a 5 Star Profile.Tobuild a network of connectionswho love your content. ANDprepare for your next Discovery Callsso that you can sign the clients you deserve that will grow your business.
You deserve to be discovered on LinkedIn to build the business that you want.
P.S. If you want a head start on how to start improving how you use LinkedIn to grow your business, thenjoin me at the upcoming webinar How to Sell on LinkedIn without the Ick on the 19th September 2023 at 1pm. (There will be a replay available after that date)
Here’s the link to learn more about what I'm going to talk about in the Masterclass:
Posted By Danni Johnson, Head of Digital Marketing,
12 April 2023
Did you know, LinkedIn is 277% more effective for lead generation than other social media networks? Of all leads generated from social media, 80% of B2B leads come from LinkedIn. These are shocking numbers, especially if you’re NOT using LinkedIn right now.
So how can you make sure you’re taking full advantage of the above stats when it comes to your own LinkedIn profile? Here are 5 tips that can help you.
1. How to make your profile stand out
There are lots of things you can do to optimise your LinkedIn profile to make it stand out from the noise, below are just a few that can contribute positively towards your SSI score:
Picking the right picture: When you appear in search results, your picture is the first thing someone will see in addition to your headline. First impressions are important, especially on a professional network like LinkedIn. Try to keep your headshot professional but friendly and also make sure you are the only person in the picture.
Adding a cover image: The cover image is your virtual billboard – use it. This is prime real estate on your profile and can be used to highlight offers, services, your expertise or even events. We regularly use this space to advertise our upcoming events. It can be useful to mimic your company page cover image to allow for consistency across your social profiles.
Create a headline that hooks: LinkedIn will add a generic headline with your title and your location. Change this, don’t leave it on default. This is your chance to sell yourself and create a connection with potential leads. Use relevant keywords to hook people in so they want to click on your profile and see what you’re all about.
Tell your story: Whether you’re B2B or B2C, you’re dealing with people. As humans, we love a good story. Storytelling has been used for centuries to communicate key ideas and help people connect through shared values. You can use this powerful method to share your own story which your potential connections and leads can resonate with. Use the about section to share more about ‘you’, your why, what you believe in, and why you started your business/got into what you’re doing. This is your opportunity to build a relationship with the reader.
Use buzzwords sparingly (if at all): Be careful with buzzwords such as ‘specialist’, ‘expert’, and ‘guru’, these words don’t add anything. People are so used to seeing these words that they have become immune to them. If in doubt, when writing a word always think, “can I back this up”?
List your skills and take tests: LinkedIn has a whole library of tests and certifications you can take to prove your expertise and skills in any area, it also allows you to add these skills to your profile.
Spotlight your services: This is a new section where you can add your services and what you provide, to allow people to see how you can help them. It also allows you to be found when someone searches for a service you offer, as LinkedIn will send you a notification if someone is looking in the local area.
Use social proof: This can be done by the ‘recommendations’ section in your profile. Use this section to show proof of the claims you have made in the rest of your profile, by asking for recommendations from colleagues, past clients, co-workers and customers. This will allow people to see that you are genuine and deliver on your promises. Make sure to share the love with others too!
Listing industry information—such as Internet, Financial Services or Education Management —leads to up to 9x more profile views and can help you get discovered up to 38x more in recruiter searches, according to LinkedIn data.
Plus, adding something as simple as your location in your profile can help you get up to 19x more profile views.
2. Using a commenting strategy
We get a lot of people asking about what content to post, and what to say on LinkedIn. We get it, it can sometimes be difficult to come up with ideas for content all the time. That’s where we recommend the commenting strategy.
The commenting strategy is an easy and simple way to engage on LinkedIn without having to post new, fresh content all the time. It allows you to leverage other creators who are already creating content in your industry and simply add to the conversation already going on.
When it comes to the commenting strategy, the LinkedIn search bar is your best friend. You can use this to search for keywords related to your products or services which will bring up posts that are around those topics.
You can now go in and read through the posts that show up, if there is a specific post that you have a comment on you can get involved by contributing useful insights that further the conversation.
This strategy is a secret hack that you can use to bring in more leads than actually posting on your own profile as it allows you to tap into the relevant conversations going on in your area of expertise.
The LinkedIn search box
3. How to get involved in groups
Groups are a huge opportunity that not a lot of people utilise. Again, using the LinkedIn search bar you can search for almost any group in any industry.
Joining, posting and contributing to a group can open up more opportunities than posting on your own profile. The reason is that the people who have joined the group are super targeted, they are there to learn more and connect with like-minded individuals. So if you are contributing to the group then this allows you to get in front of the relevant people, who may be your target customers.
Another benefit of joining groups is that you can go in and message the group members, to take your conversations further if you like. You do not have to have a LinkedIn premium account for this.
Use this sparingly though, don’t spam people as you WILL get banned.
4. How to bypass the follower button and personalise your connection request
Content creators on LinkedIn who are focussed on growing their following now have the option to have a ‘follow’ button instead of the ‘connect’ button displayed on their profiles. It may seem as though you can’t directly connect with them anymore due to these button changes.
However, you can still connect with them, you just have to do a workaround. You can do this by going to a person’s profile, and instead of clicking the ‘follow’ button, click ‘more’ instead.
This will give you the option to connect with them and send a personalised message as well, just be mindful that not everyone will have this option though (if they are paying for the services to block this).
Make sure to always customise your introduction message, take time to look through their profile and customise your invitation. This additional step can be the difference between your connection request being accepted or declined.
Note: If your request gets declined, this contributes to your SSI score – so it’s well worth taking the time to customise your connection message.
Below are some quick ideas that can help you personalise your message:
Just be honest
Look for similarities in their profile
Connections in common
“I’d like to see more of your content”
“Expanding my network”
Both members of the same group
5. How to create quality content with the algorithm in mind
Content forms the foundation of any social media strategy, and that includes LinkedIn. There are six key ingredients in any content recipe- which will allow you to create content that people actually want to read, these include:
The ‘trigger’- This is the hook, it’s the sentence that shows before you press the ‘see more’ and is prime real estate to get your audience interested in what you’re talking about. Its purpose is to ‘stop the scroll’ and entice people to read more.
Post layout – No one wants to read a huge block of text. Space out your text with smaller paragraphs or one-line sentences to allow people to skim your content if they want. Short and sweet is best. If you feel confident then make a video.
The tag – Is there someone you can tag in the post? This could be a colleague, business or another individual. Make sure it is relevant though, and the person will actually engage with the post.
Hashtags – Use relevant hashtags. The key is 3 to 5. Make sure they are relevant to your post and audience.
The storyline – As mentioned before, storytelling can be useful when you are wanting to deliver any message. Every story has a beginning middle and end, it has a structure – try and incorporate this structure into your content.
Call to action – In such a distracted world, people need direction. If someone has taken the time to get to the end of your post, they are engaged so tell them what to do next. Want them to call you, tell them. Want them to comment, tell them. Tell them what action they need to take.
Bonus: Make your company page a consistent priority
We’ve been talking about your LinkedIn profile, but it’s important to note that a lot of the methods outlined above can also be applied to your company page.
Your company page is equally important as personal pages, so make sure it’s up to date, don’t just post random stuff on it, inconsistently.
Are you tearing your hair out when it comes to creating content for LinkedIn? Not sure where to start?... this blog is perfect for you whether you're a newbie, dabbler or seasoned user. There has never been a better time to learn how to communicate and network with confidence on LinkedIn.
As we face uncertain times it's the people who remain visible who will reap rewards. Buyers love confidence and people buy people. It's the role of content which will set you apart and create that sense of know, like and trust which will prove invaluable as we enter 2023.
You may be surprised to learn that of the 850+ million members on LinkedIn, only about 1-2% are actively creating content and about 9% are engaging with comments. About 90% of all users are looking on from the sidelines.
Are you lurking, networking or actively leveraging your network as an influencer?
No-brainer reasons to share content on LinkedIn:
- The organic reach is fantastic and won't be there forever folks!
- Keeps you top of mind - ‘mere exposure effect’
- Increases brand awareness
- Builds credibility
- Builds your network and generates opportunities
- Allows you to control the conversation
Ask yourself is your existing content brand centric or customer centric?
Before I dive in and explore this more I want to share these wise words by Dale Carnegie with you.
"You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you."
So many people make the mistake of only sharing brand centric content - it's all 'me me me' and then they wonder why it falls flat on the feed.
As a rule of thumb you should follow the 80/20 rule which means that 4 days out of 5 you should educate, inspire, motivate, entertain and give value - 1 day out of 5 you self-promote. In short you need to 'earn the right' to toot your horn on LinkedIn.
To build trust with your content you need to:
- Address the fears, worries & concerns of your customer
- Answer customer questions
- Answer objections
- Be truthful, honest and fully transparent
Being clear trumps being clever any day of the week. A confused mind will always say no!
“With content, a relationship of trust can be built with the Salesperson (and Company) long before the first sales meeting.
Great content means more trust, more trust means shorter sales cycles.” Marcus Sheridan, Author ‘They Ask You Answer’
14 Main Types of Content Posts on LinkedIn (you don't need to use all of them!)
1. Text Only (3,000 characters)
2. Post with image (single image or several)
3. Upload video (ideally with captions)
4. Document post (PDF report / white paper / visual)
5. Give kudos (shout-out to a team member, network)
6. LinkedIn Article / Newsletter
7. LinkedIn Live (ideally 30 minutes in length)
8. LinkedIn Poll
9. LinkedIn Event
10. Share you are hiring
11. Audio Events
12. Occasion or Milestone (new job, anniversary etc)
13. Template posts in beta on mobile
14. Carousels are being rolled out
The LinkedIn Algorithm rewards ‘social behaviour’ and in the first 1-2 hours of pressing publish / submit, LinkedIn will determine if your post is:
- Spam
- Low-Quality
- Clear
Some things to consider so that you show up as 'clear':
- Commenting (engage with your networks posts before and after you post to invoke the law of reciprocity)
- Hashtags (use between 3 to 5 maximum - LinkedIn is not Instagram and you don't need 30 hashtags, in fact it looks really spammy)
- Timing (mix things up and determine what time your audience is online, there is no 'magic' time for all - do your research and check your analytics)
- SSI Score (the higher your social selling index score - the more reach your content has - check your score here: https://www.linkedin.com/sales/ssi)
- External Links (try putting these in your image / graphic - this feature is only available on mobile currently).
LinkedIn content should be:
- Inspirational – stories, morals, quotes
- Educational – tips, lessons
- Deal with objections – what they think / believe
- Engaging – opinion pieces, polls, their opinion
- Entertaining – humour works everywhere!
- Promotion – invite audience to a call, event, masterclass, lead magnet etc.
- 80/20 Rule
It can take up to 16 touch points in the digital space before people decide to reach out to you.
Always ensure your content has a clear call to action and you are telling people what they need to do next.
Be clear versus clever and dig deep as to what you're trying to achieve on LinkedIn.
Ultimately like with any form of networking - 'be a giver'...be social, be consistent and cultivate a community mindset!
Wishing you all continued LinkedIn success ladies.
Jen x
P.S. If you want to explore how I can help you going forward book in for a free 20-minute LinkedIn game plan call here: https://mysuperconnector.co.uk/contact/
I have connected with lots of new people which wouldn't have happened had it not been for WIBN. I highly recommend joining to help you grow your network and develop your business"
Joanna Lorente-Chapman
King's Cross Group
“Every year, the revenue generated through networking and the connections I’ve made via WIBN has increased year on year”
Anne Iarchy
Golders Green & Finchley Group
"WIBN has been integral in my business growing from strength to strength through the networking of like-minded women. I have gained business and referrals that have been profitable and had the opportunity to make connections
that have been beneficial and hopefully have been able to do the same for other members."
Blog Home
All Blogs
RSS
