Boosting your personal brand on LinkedIn requires more than great content; it demands an engaged and valuable audience. We’ve outlined the top 9 strategies to expand your reach and establish yourself as an industry thought leader.
1. Know your audience (like you try knowing your crush)
Getting to know your audience is essential if you want to make content that hits home and gets people talking. Think of it as trying different things, seeing what sticks, and learning as you go. Take the pharma world, for example; Pfizer is killing it on LinkedIn, breaking down their science stuff in ways we can all get. They simplify complex scientific concepts, share updates from their labs, and highlight the impact of their breakthroughs on improving patient care. Their strategy fosters trust by transparently showcasing their commitment to healthcare innovation.
Surveys, direct messages, or comments can reveal what content they value most. This interaction will signal your interest in their opinions and provide valuable insights to tailor your content effectively. By leveraging this knowledge, you can make your LinkedIn presence more dynamic and build a deeper connection with your audience.
2. Share valuable content (not just random ones, tho!)
Creating engaging content on LinkedIn is all about knowing what captivates your audience. It’s not just about pushing information out there; it’s about sharing content that speaks directly to the interests and needs of your followers.
Let’s say you’re a sales leader. Why not share those killer strategies that have helped you seal deals? Or talk about how you navigate through tough times in sales? Sharing your own stories can be super inspiring to your network. Or maybe take a stab at predicting where sales tech is headed based on your own experiences.
Spice up your page with a mix of articles, industry updates, personal success narratives, thought leadership pieces, sneak peeks into your company’s activities, or even short, explanatory tech videos. This diversity keeps your page lively and enhances your visibility, helping you reach a wider audience.
Need some motivation? Check out the LinkedIn pages of some big-name execs known for leading the conversation. They’re pros at blending personal anecdotes with professional insights, creating a content mix that strikes a chord with many people.
3. Format it well (no one prefers misaligned piece coming up their wall)
A lot of you might miss out because you don’t pick the best way to show your stuff. Think about it: if you really want to grab people’s attention on LinkedIn, why not share your journey in a way that resonates and connects with others?
Remember, the magic isn’t just in what you say but how you say it. LinkedIn users crave authentic, engaging narratives that resonate on a personal level. By infusing your content with your distinct voice and experiences—be it overcoming obstacles, celebrating achievements, or sharing career insights—you capture attention and leave a lasting impression.
This is where the power of written content shines for personal branding. At We-Storytellers, we excel in transforming your stories into compelling narratives that stand out and touch hearts. Our belief in the transformative power of words guides our mission to convey your expertise, values, and character vividly. We aim to enhance your LinkedIn presence, making it a true reflection of your identity and a beacon for meaningful interactions and connections.
4. Write compelling captions or maybe quotes (well, who doesn’t love some extra dose of relatable information?)
To create a standout LinkedIn post, think of your opening line as the headline of a news story. It’s got to grab people’s attention so much that they can’t help but pause their scrolling. You want them to think, “Wow, I’ve got to read this!” right off the bat.
Once you’ve caught their eye, reel them in further by sparking a conversation. Maybe ask a question or throw out an idea that gets them thinking and wanting to chip in. This way, your post turns into a two-way street, not just you talking to them but with them, creating a sense of community over shared thoughts.
Look at Brené Brown. She engages her audience with topics like vulnerability and leadership by asking thought-provoking questions. This approach doesn’t just capture attention; it sparks conversations among her followers.
What Brené masters is creating a welcoming space for dialogue, making her followers feel valued and connected. Her method shows how sharing insights on LinkedIn can go beyond just sharing knowledge—strengthening relationships and forming a vibrant community.
5. Post often (so that your audience doesn’t forget you)
LinkedIn recommends posting at least once a week to get good results, but from what we’ve seen, just one post a week doesn’t cut it if you really want to get noticed. Think about it: how many times do you check LinkedIn each day? Content moves fast, and it’s easy for your posts to get lost in the shuffle.
To truly make an impact, aim to post every day, or even better, multiple times a day. This frequent activity increases the chances of your audience seeing your content amidst the constant flow of updates.
Look at Simon Sinek or Gary Vaynerchuk. They post insights and stories often, not just now and then. This keeps them in their followers’ minds, making their posts a regular part of their LinkedIn feed. Posting more often means you’re more visible to your audience, helping your brand become a go-to source of valuable information.
6. Respond to comments and messages (because it is a two-way road to success 😉)
Think of it as having a conversation where both sides listen and respond. When someone drops a comment on your post or sends you a message, getting back to them quickly and with genuine interest shows that you truly value their thoughts. It’s like saying, “Hey, I hear you and appreciate you taking the time to reach out.” This makes your connection with them stronger and shows you’re the kind of person who pays attention to and respects others’ views.
Richard van der Blom advises that hitting back within 12h is key to getting noticed more and sparking more interactions on your posts. Speedy responses can really help your content get ahead, making it more likely for LinkedIn’s algorithms to show it to a wider audience.
Interacting with your followers offers invaluable insights, revealing what engages them and what falls flat. Such feedback allows you to tailor your content precisely to your audience’s preferences, ensuring your posts consistently resonate.
7. Collaborate with your industry creators or fellow friends (because 1+1 = 11, not 2 😉)
Here’s a little secret from us: Our team is all over LinkedIn because it really helps people trust us more. When we talk about our work uniquely, it’s more than just sharing—it’s about making real connections. This personal touch grabs more attention and makes your personal brand feel more genuine and relatable.
Why not try something new? Encourage your experienced team members to use their LinkedIn profiles to support your brand goals. You can keep an eye on these profiles to make sure they’re sending the right message.
Take inspiration from Gary Vaynerchuk and Brené Brown, who use LinkedIn to authenticate with their audience, fostering genuine conversations and making their brands appear more relatable and trustworthy. Sharing personal stories and insights doesn’t just expand your network; it builds a community around your brand. This approach goes beyond mere messaging—it cultivates real connections, increasing trust and influence among your audience.
8. Boost your high-performing posts (why waste so much hard work keeping it aside?)
Your stories can capture people’s attention 5x more effectively than any other type of content you’ve been sharing. This isn’t just a lucky guess; it’s a proven strategy to make your message resonate far and wide.
Daily, you craft content to attract viewers, but it’s the engaging stories from your life that truly draw a crowd. This authentic storytelling approach not only garners attention but also outshines conventional content, offering valuable, relatable insights.
By promoting your stories, you’re not just reaching passersby but also engaging distant audiences or those yet to discover your space. A minimal investment extends your reach, ensuring your message isn’t missed but actively sought after, inviting a broader audience to connect with your unique experiences.
9. Analyze your performance and adjust your strategy (just in case things don’t align well)
Start sharing personal stories and career tips on LinkedIn, especially ones that hit close to home. After posting, you notice these stories get a lot of likes, shares, and comments, especially in the morning. This tells you that your audience loves genuine, relatable content that helps them professionally, not just sales pitches.
Realizing this, you focus on sharing more of these personal experiences, aiming for the morning when your followers are most active. This approach boosts your engagement significantly. Your LinkedIn becomes a place where followers are eager to interact, share their stories, and build a community around your content.
Takeaway
Creating a strong personal brand on LinkedIn is easy and fun with We-storytellers. Follow the tips above to make content that stands out, using templates that have already proven to work well. This makes content effortless, allowing you to take advantage of everything your LinkedIn profile has to offer. Plus, by weaving storytelling into your LinkedIn strategy, you can connect with your audience on a deeper level, making your personal branding even more powerful.