As a business owner or professional, you’re probably already on LinkedIn. You’ve got connections, but do you know how to connect in a way that gets you results? As part of my FrippVT Sales Series, I recently spoke with marketing and branding expert Melanie DePaoli on How to Build a LinkedIn Strategy for Success. Enjoy this video of our recent conversation and Melanie’s article on why and how conversation is in fact essential to making LinkedIn work for you:
Communicate with, Don’t Talk at People When You Are Participating on LinkedIn
Mel DePaoli
Yes it is easy to automate your blog posts so they automatically post to the groups you belong to. The challenge with that is it screams “Sales Pitch! Do not click!” It is also against the rules in some groups which could result in you getting banned from the group, or worse, being put in LinkedIn jail!
I know this may surprise you but all of those little photos of people that you see on LinkedIn, they are real people just like you! They don’t like to be talked at, told what to do, or to be treated like a child. They value and appreciate when people talk with them or ask for their opinions…when they can be left feeling like they have made a difference or that they matter. The goal of all of your interactions on social media are to either start a conversation with someone or to continue a conversation with someone.
When you are sharing an article in a group make sure you explain “why” you are sharing it. It is the “why” that makes it personal. It’s the “why” that invites a viewer to click through and read your post. It’s the “why” that tells the person that you actually want to engage with them. This “why” is not a sales pitch though when done correctly it ends up positioning you as the expert. It is a conversational reason as to why you are sharing this article in this group and what conversation you would like to have about it. Remember you want to communicate with people so you can start to get to know them, start to like them, and then even trust them.
The same concepts apply when you are leaving a comment on an article, status update or a group discussion. Clicking ‘Like’ doesn’t start or continue a conversation. Saying “Great job” or “I agree” or “Great article” also doesn’t start or continue a conversation. Those actions can actually make you look lazy or that you don’t have an opinion of your own. And this is where your activity on LinkedIn is connected to your brand. If you don’t have an opinion of your own, or you can’t clearly communicate it, why should I hire you over your competition?
Mel DePaoli works with companies and organizations to build brands worthy of going viral. Mel has in-depth knowledge of how culture, branding and operations intersect to impact a company’s bottom line and influence your community building loyalty.
If you want to become a great speaker easily, conveniently, and quickly, FrippVT can help. Take a complimentary test drive of this interactive, web-based platform and enjoy three free chapters on Stories, Openings, and Sales: http://frippvt.com
Executive Speech Coach and Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker, Patricia Fripp works with individuals and companies who realize that powerful, persuasive presentation skills give them a competitive edge.
