Raise Your Visibility Online

Are you using LinkedIn groups? How do you find one that is 'good'? So many people are moving away from Facebook, is this the time to start your own LinkedIn Group? Today we dive into why you should consider LinkedIn groups, how to set one up, LinkedIn group chats and of course, what could be done to improve this feature. >>Podcast Player

Have you ever had the following happen? Someone sends you a connection request on LinkedIn with no message and you have no idea who they are, or why they want to connect with you. Someone connects with you on LinkedIn and as soon as you accept their connection request, they send you a sales message. Or an automated message. Don’t miss the opportunity to start a conversation When you connect with someone on LinkedIn without a message, you are missing a huge opportunity. LinkedIn is the social networking site for business owners and professionals. When you connect with someone, you add them to your network. In order to build a valuable network full of potential customers, clients and collaborations, start out with having a conversation with your new contact. When someone logs into their LinkedIn account and sees a handful of new connection requests – 2 with a message and 3 without, which ones do you think they will look at first? When you receive a genuine message from a new connection, the usual thing to do would be to reply. Now you have moved beyond one of many connections in the newsfeed, to one to one in the inbox. How can you add a message when connecting? Click on the person’s name that you would like to connect with Click on “Connect” on their introduction card (if you are using mobile, click on the three little dots to the right of the ‘connect’ button) Select ‘Add a note’ Write your note and click on Send Beware: Not all connection messages are the same Imagine you are at a conference or business networking event. Someone comes up to you, shakes your hand, gives you a business and walks away without saying a word. Or worse, you meet someone at an event, say hello and they immediately tell you what service they provide at and ask would you like to buy it. Would this method work with you? What do you think your first reaction might be? Don’t waste the opportunity to make a great first impression when connecting with someone on LinkedIn. So what connection request message can you send? First of all, think about WHY you want to connect with this person. Are they in the same field as you? Have you heard them on a podcast? Did you see an article they wrote? Will adding them to your network add to the value you get from LinkedIn? Have a look at their LinkedIn profile – is there something in their profile you can connect over? What recent posts have they shared? Can you start a conversation about a topic they seem interested in? Five examples of LinkedIn messages to send when connecting Here are five examples of messages you can send when connecting with someone on LinkedIn: The person you met at a networking event – try to send this connection request within a few days of meeting someone: Hi Traci, ‘it was great to meet you at the event today – I’d like to connect so that we can stay in touch’ 2. Someone you have heard on a podcast Hi Martin, I heard you on the LinkedIn with Louise podcast – I loved what you said about how to manage teams well. I thought it would be good to connect here on LinkedIn’ 3. Someone you want to connect to, but haven’t met yet ‘Hi Barbara, I saw your post on social media marketing and I liked how you wrote about the different platforms needing different approaches. LinkedIn is my own preference and I’d like to connect with you here. Looking forward to seeing more of your content, 4. Someone who might be able to help you in your business Hi Louise, I work with a team and we are struggling to get leads on LinkedIn. I heard your podcast about LinkedIn strategy and we’d love to have a chat with you to see if you can help us. 5. Someone you have been referred to Hi Allison, I am connected to Martin Huntbach, and he recommended I connect with you as we have a similar audience. Looking forward to finding out more about what you do. If you received any of the above messages, do you think you would respond? If the answer is yes, now you are starting a one-to-one direct conversation with someone. You may not convert the new connection into a lead but when you get to know someone through a conversation, they will remember you and your business. This leads to genuine business relationships which leads to growth and sales. Bonus sixth connection request message example Here is a genuine message I received this week in my inbox: Hi Louise, I’ve been enjoying your posts and would love to connect and have you in my network. Regards, C Guess what? I replied and we had a conversation. If you would like help and support with your own LinkedIn strategy, get in touch to find out how I can work with you.

Angela Pitter from Boston is the owner of  Live Wire Collaborative. As a digital marketing strategist and advisor Angela works with small to mid sized businesses to help them unleash the power of social media. She aims to help them to connect, collaborate and convert their target communities on whichever social media platform is best for them.   Angela says when she is working with a client, she always think of think of it as a partnership. collaborating, rolling your sleeves up, and working together to get it done. And that's why she had to add the collaborative.   The company was founded in 2012.   After 20 years working in corporate tech, Angela got into digital marketing by default when she started to build brand awareness on Facebook as a member of her school board.   We talk about how Angela grew her business by hosting social media workshops,  is a member of her local Chamber of Commerce and how much we both believe in the power of networking.   We discuss how many people have a fear of using LinkedIn, but also, have so much content in their back pocket they could and should be sharing on LinkedIn.  E.g. white papers, presentations and blogs   Points include How to tell your story on LinkedIn and relate it to your business.  Using video on LinkedIn, New features released in 2020, especially LinkedIn Events – listen out for Angela’s great tip for finding events to attend with your ideal audience on LinkedIn  Why should you be using Company pages, not just for employees but also to drive attendance at your own LinkedIn Events.   Angela is a big fan of Clubhouse and we dive into how to get more out of that plus what is happening on Instagram and other social media platforms   Connect with Angela: Website Twitter LinkedIn   To get some help with your LinkedIn, reach out to connect with Louise on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/louisebrogan   You can book your VIP Strategy Session here - www.louisebrogan.com/linkedinvip

Be honest... When did you last even look at your LinkedIn profile? Do you still have skills on there from the job you did ten years ago? Have you updated your headline in the last year? How do you know what bits to update and what to leave alone? Are you leaving money on the table because your ideal client skims through your profile, decides you are not for them, and moves on to someone else? It is time to update your LinkedIn profile - from the headshot and headline, to the skills and experience section. I want you to go through the whole thing! Recently a client of mine said that she was embarrassed by her profile on LinkedIn - so it was actually holding her back from posting any content as she didn't want anyone to look at her profile! Don't be that person. If you don't know HOW to update your profile, I can help - if you want to do it yourself, check out my 'LinkedIn by Lunch' mini profile course right here Maybe you would rather someone else just took it off your hands. Allow me to give you the profile you deserve. Book your LinkedIn Profile Writing Service today

How do you know if you are ready to invest in a coach or consultant for LinkedIn? When you are struggling with what to say, how to use LinkedIn and need some accountability and support, maybe it is time to think about hiring a coach. Six benefits to hiring a coach or consultant to help you with your LinkedIn this month?  It is hard trying to figure stuff out on your own You save time by bringing in someone who already knows how to use the platform It is much easier having someone help you understand how to write posts that get engagement and start conversations You get to plan what you are going to post about on LinkedIn without having to sit down and stare at a blinking cursor You can have someone else’s eyes on what you have already done, who knows what little tweaks and change can make a difference to your content Working with someone who specialises in using LinkedIn means they know what is working now - from new features to algorithm changes and updates, without you having to worry!  www.louisebrogan.com/workwithme

When someone is looking for a coach or consultant to help them with a particular issue, they tend to go with someone they trust.  In online business, you will hear people talk about ‘know, like and trust’ factor.  How do you become known?  And more importantly, how can you build up the trust that leads to someone investing in your products or services? In today's podcast, I talk about five steps to help you build your authority online.   1.  Specialise What is your area of expertise? When someone needs a tax accountant, they look for a specialist who focuses on taxes.   When someone is building a physiotherapy business, they will follow a coach who works only with physio businesses.   By choosing your niche – by job type, customer base, age group or location, you will attract your ideal clients more quickly. Choosing your niche allows you to focus on creating content for that niche.   How can you choose what to specialise in? Talk to your customers and listen to their main concerns. Choosing a niche can involve a lot of factors – is there a need for your service?  Will people pay for it? Are you interested in focusing on that area?   2.  Listen to your audience What do your network want to know about?  Consider the questions you get asked time and time again.    What can you help your audience with?  What are their main pain points? One way to become known as an expert online, is by creating regular content that answers the questions your audience have.   Create content that not only leads your ideal client to reach out to you, but consider how you can put out messaging that lets people know who is NOT the right fit to work with you.  For example: Your ideal client may be someone who is in the business start up phase – so your content should help them with the first stages of business.   3. Create content to help your audience.  Start sharing content with your network that showcases your knowledge and expertise. Keep it simple – you want to be able to attract your ideal clients and customers so don’t overwhelm them.   4. Become known as a guest expert Consider creating content for other larger organisations.  Become known as a guest expert – choose the publications or shows you know your ideal client is already reading or engaging with.    Podcast Guesting Start with pitching hosts who take guests – try connecting with podcast hosts who serve your ideal client.    Online Summits Submit yourself as a speaker for an online summit.  Once you start to appear as a guest expert on summits and podcasts, other hosts will notice and start to reach out!    5.  Talk to your network Connecting with your audience online is not a one-way street. Rather than broadcasting out to your audience, try to engage with them.  For Example –  In your daily or weekly activity on LinkedIn, take time to comment on posts from others in your network. Try to leave constructive comments – think about how you would behave if you were responding to someone speaking in person. Even if you outsource the content creation for your own posts, we recommend you take the time to interact with others in your newsfeed.   Your LinkedIn Checklist Download your free ten page guide to daily and weekly activity for LinkedIn Click Here   If your audience are on LinkedIn, then you need to create some visibility on this platform that attracts your ideal client to you.  Creating consistent content on LinkedIn that demonstrates your knowledge and expertise will lead to customers and clients reaching out to you to find out more about your services. 

Should employees in larger organisations use LinkedIn? What happens in terms of compliance, and especially in fields like insurance, which are thoroughly regulated?  Keith is the Social Media Manager and Employee Advocacy Lead at Zurich UK, a world-renowned company operating in the field of insurance. In his role, Keith educates and enables Zurich employees not only to better understand the world of social media but also to actively participate and share content.  You will learn… About the difference between a LinkedIn company page and the new My Company Tab on LinkedIn. Why staff social media training is key when it comes to navigating complex compliance issues. How you can leverage your employees to boost your organisation. About Keith If you’d like to connect with Keith, you can find him on LinkedIn or Twitter. LinkedIn VIP Intensives If you want to work with me on a 1-to-1 basis, check out the LinkedIn VIP Intensive private coaching sessions.  Download my FREE LinkedIn guide Would you like to learn what daily and weekly tasks will help you build your network on LinkedIn? Then download my FREE 10-page LinkedIn guide here. My tips work no matter what type of business you run! More about me If you enjoy the show, I’d be very grateful if you could share it with at least another person and leave me a review on your favourite platform. And if you haven’t subscribed yet, why not?

In 2020, LinkedIn released a LOT of new features – here are some of the top ones: 1. Add a Featured Section Adding a new ‘Featured’ section to your LinkedIn profile – this section is where you can share your featured highlights including Posts, Articles, Links to external online content and upload photos or documents. How to use the LinkedIn Featured section in your personal profile.   2. Add a Poll Adding a new Polls option to your text posts – one of my favourite new features! I suggest you try this feature out once a month – polling your network is a great way to encourage conversation and debate, plus finding out what your network REALLY think about! How to use LinkedIn Polls   3. Open to Work If you are currently looking for a new role, you can add an option to your personal profile that shows your network you are ‘open to work’ Click on the ‘Open to’ button underneath your headline – then choose Finding a new job as your option. You can choose location, job titles, and whether you want full-time, part-time, temporary or contract work. You can also choose whether to share with only recruiters, or with your whole network. Once you have completed this, a green circle will appear on your profile picture.   4. Reactions on your LinkedIn Posts Before 2020, you would have been able to click to ‘like’ someone's post on LinkedIn. Now we have six reactions available – like, celebrate, love, support, curious and insightful. Remember – if you leave a comment, this will raise your profile and visibility rather than just clicking a reaction. 5. Video Messages Did you know you can send a video message to your connections? On your LinkedIn mobile app, go to messaging, click on the video sign and you can create and send a video message. How to use messaging on LinkedIn (and why you should)

How can you use LinkedIn to build thought leadership, even if you work in a highly-regulated industry? This week on the podcast, I interview my good friend Rhonda Peterson. Rhonda is a Coach for financial professionals, a speaker, and a workshop facilitator. Rhonda guides financial services executives, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders to lean into their strengths and energy to increase their ROI, both professionally and personally. As more people within financial services using LinkedIn, those who work in a highly-regulated industry seem to struggle to hit the right balance between using the platform to build relationships and remaining compliant with their employer’s regulations. However, raising your profile on LinkedIn doesn’t need to be causing any issues to your employer or your industry. Establishing yourself as a thought leader on LinkedIn is possible, even if you work in a highly-regulated industry.   In this episode, Rhonda and I discuss a couple of examples from our networks, and Rhonda shares how she’s using LinkedIn to grow her career as a speaker. If you want to find out how you too can become a thought leader on LinkedIn, make sure you tune in! You will learn… Why you should be using LinkedIn to reach out to your connections and ask for relevant introductions. The exact steps you can take to build your thought leadership on LinkedIn, regardless of the industry you work in.  How you can use LinkedIn to get more work.  About Rhonda If you’d like to connect with Rhonda, you can find her on LinkedIn or on her website. And if you connect with her on LinkedIn, don’t forget to send Rhonda a personalised message and let her know you’ve listened to her interview on this podcast.   

Christopher Melcher is a family attorney in Los Angeles, California. We met when I worked with Chris during the summer of 2020 as he wanted to learn how best to use LinkedIn. Chris's clients include business owners, celebrities, and trust beneficiaries across California who are going through complex divorces. We talk about how Chris uses LinkedIn, not to find clients, but to connect with and build relationships with fellow attorneys. We discussed some of the challenges the lawyers face when it comes to marketing and how this can hold them back from building their network/gaining new clients. You can reach Chris on LinkedIn where he would be delighted to connect with more of his legal community. walzermelcher.com Twitter YouTube To find out how you can work with Louise and build your own network on LinkedIn, book a free discovery call at www.louisebrogan.com/call