"OPEN TO WORK" 

is the uncomfortable badge that became highly visible on LinkedIn as a result of the pandemic.

From the boardroom to the shop floor we see this badge being increasingly used as a flag for 'help' back into the workplace.

With fingers, legs, and toes crossed we wait for someone to send a message saying 'send me your CV'. And then, NOTHING!!

You notice the increasing number of 'LinkedIn' guru classes that seem to be delivering stellar results for others and decide to sign up for th 2 hours online/offline seminar.

So now you've been to a 'make me a LinkedIn guru' training session, you've been on LinkedIn for sometime and as a result of the half day course your all pumped up, and you've decided it's time to start to build out your personal and company brand.

You want to be seen as someone with knowledge and authority within your field of expertise, "once I get this right my network will grow and the amount of leads I get will more than make up for the effort".

And then nothing..........nothing!

We see lots of people who think its just about pumping out post, blogs, Vlogs, and then wondering why it isn't working so they give up. 

As in real life if you don't start or add to a conversation then just like many millions of others on LinkedIn you are a mere bystander, or as we like to call them 'lurkers'. 

Engagement on someone else's post is pivotal to building out your network and others in the article owners network will see you joining in. 

Companies and people you would like to become part of your network will start to pick up on your involvement and return the conversation exchange - all of this is an algorithm booster.

The modern consumer has changed. The internet and social media channels have fundamentally changed the way people evaluate brands and products when they make buying decisions, recruitment decisions and all interactions. Long before you are contacted. 

The modern consumer has been on a self-driven journey where they research, ask questions and jump to conclusions about you, your products and your brand. DLA Ignite

As with anything, if you want to get results and be seen as someone serious at what you do requires focus, dedication, direction, and consistency wrapped up in an agreed strategic framework.

Unfortunately too many people think one afternoon out of the office with a personal trainer can help you to get fit to run that marathon, lose weight, or become a really great Chess player, singer, actor or whatever?

Anyone who's ever done anything worthwhile will tell you they got there with lots of self discipline, hard training, support, at times failure, and mentoring from people who know there stuff and stick with you through the learning stages, and provide ongoing support thereafter.

One of the biggest bloopers we see is people who don't have an audience in mind. They think that because there's millions of people on LinkedIn the algorithm will get your content noticed by someone - serendipity right? 

Well, from experience if you get the strategy, focus and intended audience right, that 'serendipity' will get you connected to people from all over the world who can relate to your stories, and if you get it wrong can disconnect you from them very quickly - after all who enjoys those random 'let's connect so I can tell what we do' messages?

It's vital that you connect 'with purpose', random connections are fine, but they won't really help to get people involved in the conversations you would like to be part of. 

You need to think of the types of businesses and people that might be interested in your stories, they might be able to learn something, they might want to share it with colleagues and peer groups, but it starts with having a focused 'connection' plan.

The last tip I have on this blog, is that having an 'opinion' on something is fine, we all have them and if your an expert in your field then it will carry some weight, but adding value to people, e.g. a bit of help and education is more likely to get 'engagement' and move the conversation along.

And for me, this is all still work in progress.

So, why are you on LinkedIn?