I’m Not Giving Up My LinkedIn Habit

Hi, I’m Lorraine, and I have a confession to make. I’m a LinkedIn networking junkie. But unlike other habits, I’m not looking for a 12-step program to break free. In fact, I think LinkedIn is one of the healthiest habits for my business. That’s why I’ve developed a six-part process to make sure the time I spend on LinkedIn delivers real results — and no, it’s not just about selling!

Step 1: Define Your Objective

Before you even think about posting, ask yourself: “Why am I on LinkedIn?” I know, I know, the end goal is usually sales. But let’s be real — people don’t typically jump from “I’ve never heard of you” to “Let me grab my checkbook.” LinkedIn is more of a slow burn, a place to build relationships, visibility, and trust.

So, set a realistic goal. Do you want to grow your audience? Increase engagement on your posts? Make new connections in your industry? Whatever it is, write it down. Keep that goal in front of you every time you log in.

And remember, we’re living in a zero-click environment. LinkedIn doesn’t love it when you post links that take people off their platform. So, focus on creating content that keeps people on LinkedIn while building your brand presence.

Step 2: Find Your Community

Let’s face it — wandering around LinkedIn without direction is like aimlessly handing out business cards at a networking event. You need to know who you’re looking for. Start by defining your ideal client. Then, think about where they hang out on LinkedIn. Are they commenting on thought leader posts? Engaging with industry hashtags?

Step 3: Build Your Profile

Once you find your crowd, make sure your profile is up to snuff. That means a current photo (no, your headshot from 10 years ago doesn’t count), a strong headline, and a bio that tells people exactly who you are and what you do.

Be someone other people will want to get to know. And don’t forget to collect those glowing recommendations — social proof still matters.

Step 4: Engage with Others

LinkedIn isn’t just about broadcasting. Your engagement matters, more than your content. Find thought leaders in your space and regularly comment on their posts. And not just the post itself — take the extra step to comment on the comments. It’s a great way to connect with people who are also looking to get noticed.

Also consider tagging people in your posts. This is a nice way to invite them into the conversation. And the engagement will improve the visibility of your posts.

Step 5: Connect

I increased my LinkedIn network by 1,500 people in six months, one thoughtful interaction at a time. I didn’t just send random connection requests. I engaged with people’s posts, then reached out with a friendly, no-pressure message like, “Hey, I saw you liked [mutual connection’s] post, and I think we have some things in common. Let’s connect!” Simple, friendly, and effective.

Step 6: Create Content with a Plan

Now that you’ve got your objectives and community in place, it’s time to talk content. And no, you can’t just wing it. Consistency is key. Carve out a couple of hours to batch-create content and schedule it. That way, you’re not scrambling each morning, wondering what to post. Think in themes. If people see you talking about similar topics regularly, they start to associate you with that subject.

You don’t need to be chained to LinkedIn all day, either. A scheduling tool can take care of your posts while you spend a few minutes each day engaging with others.

Don’t forget, you’re leading your audience on a journey. Each post should serve a purpose — whether it’s building awareness, nurturing relationships, or nudging people toward a future action. And don’t be afraid to sprinkle in a little personal touch. LinkedIn isn’t Facebook, but people still want to know the human behind the business. I love sharing photos from my travels (like my trip through Nova Scotia), paired with a business lesson. It’s relatable and shows off a bit of who I am outside of work.

Step 7: Measure and Adjust

I know, I said there were only six steps, but like any marketing you need to figure out what is working.  Is there a pattern in the content that gets the most engagement? Are you reaching the right audience? Adjust your strategy based on what you find.

So there you have it — my LinkedIn six-step process. It’s not rocket science, but it does require strategy, consistency, and a genuine desire to connect. If you’re ready to dive deeper into LinkedIn or any other marketing strategies in this zero-click world, let’s connect. 

Then look for More Than a Few Words wherever you listen to podcasts.