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It immediately makes it useless. As who is going to hire a digital agency that lets that happen?  

Personally, it is my favourite social media platform as the time I spend on it feels like I am working on my business and not just scrolling trash on Facebook. However, you still need to be productive. LinkedIn has over 690 million users so if you’re not using it you really are missing out.

I get an average of 3 organic inbound leads a day from LinkedIn so I have out together my top tips on how to set it up and make it work for you.

SET UP YOUR PROFILE

Use a decent photo – it can be professional or not but make it YOU and show some personality, that is your brand. No blurry pics and no logos.

Make it viewable to all – in settings ensure your profile and photo are viewable to all not just connections,  this is no time to be shy!

Banner – use branding and add a call to action – Canva is a great free tool or get someone to do it (I recommend Jack Bainbridge or Danny Towney).

About – first two lines are crucial. What do you do? And who for? What problems do you solve? Find a niche and focus on that primarily. Use bullet points/emojis. Aim it at your target audience. Add some personality and personal info. Can add links. Use a CTA – tell people what you want them to do!

Tagline – who and how you help. Only the first 10 or so words will be seen when you comment on posts so make them count.

Connections – up to you, I add everyone who asks, then lose the ones that are pushy/odd. When adding people yourself, aim for people from your target market (use search) – but comment on their posts and engage with them first.

POSTING

When to post – the best times are before breakfast, lunchtime and evenings… however, good content will always do well once you have an established audience. And not everyone is on UK time.

How often to post - Regularly – a minimum of daily is my recommendation – consistency counts. No more than 3 a day otherwise it kills the views on your previous post. If you can’t post, comment on others.

What to post - a mixture of text, photos, videos and documents and the odd article (like a blog, longer than a post). Be brave and try video. Text only will get the best views, but views aren’t everything!

Content ideas – funny, questions, favourites, worsts, rants, controversy, openness, informative, original – they can all work if it’s genuine and feels comfortable to you. I like doing a video series. 

Hashtags – 3 is the recommended maximum – you might like to use a personal one on every post.

DO NOTS

Shares are a waste of time as the algorithm hates them, LinkedIn loves fresh content.        

Links in posts affect the reach. So, post it in the comments (could get lost) or TOP TIP post without the link then edit immediately to add it in.        

Trolls – ignore, report, or engage with them and increase your views, but don’t take them to heart!

KEY POINTS

Be yourself – people buy people, don’t be scared to get personal or to share humour.

Engage with others – building relationships is just as important as building an audience, comment on posts and connect with a range of people! Having a support network will help you.

Give value – through your posts, comments or by giving away free advice.

Be consistent – keep going even when engagement is low, it is about the long game of know, like and trust.

NEED HELP? – Just ask!! (me or ask LinkedIn!)

Originally Posted by Barney

“An overhaul huh... about time......  have to say it does seem to have gone down the pan a bit since the last overhaul.....”

Sounds like you need a locksmith Barney. 

Originally Posted by Steve.Richardson

“Now I have visions of you are trying not to fall out of the office chair as the van goes round a corner  ”

It's a hard life.... Wish I didn't have a chair with wheels now. 

Originally Posted by Andy-C

“Yes I know But it's more of a case of knowing you on the forum.I would feel awkward asking you and then have to turn you down.Just the way I am ..To polite.. The other issue is I have 1700 products.. But just out of interest how much would you charge ,say per product to write”

Well don't feel awkward, I'm not short of clients for a start. I would suggest you need blogs that answer questions your target market might ask rather than blurb about each product.... As then people Google the question and your blog comes up and they're clicking through to your website. 

As restrictions ease a little and businesses start to reopen in some sectors, we can think about what is next. For many they started to work from home for the first time and that new found time from no commute may be something they are not keen to give up again! Those with children may be itching to get back to the office.

More businesses are starting to understand that letting staff work in an Agile way is more productive. An exmple of this coule be giving people the autonomy to manage their own workload and timescales. You would allocate a task or project to someone and they estimate a delivery date then get on with it. No need to micromanage or check when they are working, just trust they will deliver. Being Agile means you can adapt to change and can allow people to work in their own way, rather than having very set processes in place.

There is also the matter of the comfort and safety at home. Many have not got an ergonomic set up as they didn't have time to arrange a desk and chair or don't have space. But this is the employer's responsibility and they must provide you with the correct equipment for your workstation and you should have an assessment done. 

But assuming the set up is right and the management style works, will you want to stay at home? Will the restaurants who deliver at the moment carry on that service? Will I stay working in my camper van?

Yes, you heard right, I set up in my camper van for the lockdown as soon as my husband was furloughed. It was the only way to get some peace. I have electricity and internet! It isn't the best in hot weather but it allows for work to be done! The children have no idea I am only round the corner!! The photo below may or may not be an exact respresentation...

So will you be keeping any of the changes you made?

Great info here, I don't need to worry about SEO myself yet but I write blogs for clients who do so always try and understand it as best I can! Answering the questions that your target market are asking is a great way to get traffic to your site, preferably with a well written blog or page of content!

You already know a blog/content writer.... 

Good luck Steve!

Hello and thanks for offering something so valuable for free. Great work..