In this week’s newsletter, I talked about how to optimize your LinkedIn profile, but on the blog, I’m going to share some tips on how to use the platform to grow that profile you just optimized.

1) Making meaningful connections

I know I say this all the time, but it’s for a reason! You’re now at the point where you’re  ready to grow your network and strategically associate yourself with brands. If you keep good company and relations with someone, you will be remembered, so building your network with thought builds your personal brand at the same time! Connect with people who you will actually talk to, or are inspired from, because trying to raise that number to look cool doesn’t look cool to employers…

For example, connect with friends, colleagues, classmates and other professionals and don’t be shy about asking those people you know for further introductions to company’s you want to expose yourself to. To do this, go to “My Network” and then “People you may know” as a start. If you’re connecting with someone you don’t know at all, personalize the connection with a message like “Hey, I saw you speak at X conference and moved by what you had to share”. This will make the person more likely to accept your request.

2) Publishing on LinkedIn

Literally all of our social media nowadays are feed driven. There’s feeds on Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram, but LinkedIn’s feed will make employers the most excited. LinkedIn is known for its professionalism, so publish content on LinkedIn to showcase your personality and what you care about! Once you start posting on LinkedIn, your profile views will sky rocket. If you remember what I said in the newsletter, that profile view might be from someone who’s interested in you working for them!

The more long-form posts you publish, the more credibility you will build, and then your personal brand will grow like no other.

3) Sharing Slide-decks on LinkedIn

Sharing Slide-decks on LinkedIn or portfolios in the “featured section” can get more traffic to your page. These can be curated from your unique point of view on industry trends or news. Or, you can share personal projects, to show the world what you’re capable of. You can also create swipe posts on LinkedIn or upload a file for people to view on their feed. A tip here is to make the thumbnail attractive with a catchy headline, so people stop and click the post, and the rest is history!

These are just some tips on how to build your personal brand on LinkedIn, stay tuned for more and I hope this helped!