LinkedIn 101: Tips, Tricks and Traps to Avoid
LinkedIn 101: Tips, Tricks and Traps to Avoid
We may be deep into 2025, but it's not too late to start something new. So, are you ready to smash your LinkedIn?
So, you have LinkedIn account? Awesome! You are one of the 1.5 billion users worldwide who have joined the party!
But like any party, it's up to you how to spend it - You can either be the person that everyone is enthralled by, or you can be the weird one who starts fights.
We will assume it is the former.
But we know what you're thinking. Whenever you try something new, it's always - “Ah, help! I have no idea what I’m doing!”. But don’t worry; we’re going to go over some tips on how to make LinkedIn work for you.
But before we get into the HOW, let's address the WHY.
💎Okay, So Why?
Not to sound cliche but it's a well-known saying that it isn't what you know, it's who you know. This isn't just some recycled wisdom that your parents gave when you were applying for your first job; it's a fundamental truth. Networking - the ability to create a web of friends and acquaintances to further mutual professional growth - is the best tool in career development.
Take legendary singer Kate Bush. She was able to pass a demo tape to a family friend called Ricky Hopper, who himself was friends with Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, who helped Kate record her song ‘Passing Through Air’, and put her in contact with other record producers and sound engineers. Now, we love Kate Bush as much as the next person, so it's scary to imagine a world where her great talent existed but remained undiscovered.
Don't believe us? Kate Bush is not enough? Firstly, how dare you.
Secondly, here are some more facts:
💎LinkedIn is a growing platform, with some reporting a 44% year-over-year increase in post interactions.
💎As mentioned, it has 1 billion active users from 200 countries. Even Ronald McDonald has a LinkedIn!
💎As a recruitment tool, recruiters often look to LinkedIn to vet potential employees, with 67% of businesses agreeing that candidates sourced from LinkedIn are of higher quality.
💎Spammer? Or Networker?
When you are on LinkedIn, be honest. Are you just there to sell - whether that is a product for your business, or yourself? Are you getting into the DMs of random people - often unprompted, trying to get them to do something for you? It's okay - we have all been there. It's a rookie mistake to make. But you don’t want to be the digital equivalent of those street salespeople who try to get you to change your energy provider.
Don't be a spammer! It’s doing far more harm than you realise.
Like anywhere, LinkedIn has its own culture and etiquette. Less Mad Max style, leather-clad anarchy - more a friendly gathering.
💎Relax. Don't try to make every interaction a sales pitch.
💎Engage meaningfully with others.
💎 Don't appear desperate by jumping into the DMs too early and unprompted.
💎Be authentic. Don't try to play a character - be yourself.
Unlike a lot of social networks, LinkedIn has cultivated a community of positivity. So unless you want to become LinkedIn’s version of the town drunk, best leave your negativity at the door. Keeping things upbeat not only makes you stand out for the right reasons, but it makes people genuinely want to connect with you.
Once you have built a positive, engaging and authentic reputation, you can slowly build your connections. This will open a world of opportunities for you and your business.
💎How Not to Suck at Posting
Once you have gotten to know the world of LinkedIn, now’s your chance to add to the collective discussion. Maybe you already have, but your posts have gone down like a bad joke.
Here are some ways to improve your posting:
💎Strong hook. Get your readers' attention by hitting them with something that catches their attention.
💎Nice layout. Make sure that the structure is pleasing to the eye.
💎Keep jargon to a minimum. You want your posts to be as accessible as possible.
💎Call to Action! Have something at the end - a question perhaps - that gives them the confidence to engage with your post.
Once you have mastered this, you will want to maximise your reach by playing LinkedIn’s algorithm to your advantage:
💎 Consistency is key. Make sure your presence is consistent, lest the algorithm doesn't bless you with her favour, and your precious posts will be lost to irrelevancy in the fires of Mount LinkedIn.
💎NEVER post and ghost. Be ready to respond to comments so that the algorithm knows you’re still alive.
💎Post when people are looking at LinkedIn. Which, according to research is generally between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays but remember, it’s about finding what works for your audience. Don't be afraid to experiment.
With this in mind, you’ll likely have the tools you need to create interesting content that people are interested in - and avoid posts that are the digital equivalent of a weak handshake.
💎LinkedIn’s Video Renaissance: How To Use It To Your Advantage
In 2018, TikTok stormed onto the scene, shaking up the digital content sphere forever with its short-form content, pioneered by apps such as Vine. Since the explosion of TikTok’s popularity, other social media sites have followed suit: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and more recently, LinkedIn.
While ‘short form content’ may take your mind to funny dances or meme trends, it has set a new standard for marketing.
Here are some statistics just to hammer home the point.
💎In 2024, 66% of all video ads were under 30 seconds.
💎 93% of marketers report that short-form content has helped to find new customers.
💎54% of customers want more short-form content from brands.
Like Pandora’s box, TikTok and others like it, have changed viewing trends forever and, like it or not - it’s here to stay.
LinkedIn has noticed this. And with its push for short-form content, the site has seen a 36% increase in watch time, especially with younger audiences who have grown up on Vine and TikTok.
💎Still Need Help? Light the Beacon of SocialJems
If you require some more guidance, fear not! We offer a variety of services to take your LinkedIn presence to the next level!
💎LinkedIn training.
💎Content Creation to help you get seen
💎Profile optimisation to make your profile pop!
💎And more...
You could always check out our services page and find out for yourself. 😉
Understood? Do you feel wiser? Does your brain feel bigger? Are you excited for the possibilities that LinkedIn has?
And if you haven’t set up a LinkedIn account yet, we hope this blog will inspire you to get started now? Now like a wise sage, we impart this wisdom to you - now go out and smash it!
But before you go, follow us for more marketing insights:
And don’t forget to get in touch with us, if you need help with LinkedIn. It’s kinda what we do.
