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“My tips for networking on LinkedIn”

RTW Media Group is a local networking group for those working in advertising, PR, TV, radio and social and digital media. In its new monthly column we hear from one of its members, Lucy Ames, about how you can effectively leverage LinkedIn for business networking in Tunbridge Wells

With 1 billion users worldwide, LinkedIn is the optimum networking platform for business owners. If you’re not using it yet, I hope you’ll be signing up by the time you’ve read this. 

Arguably the most valuable feature is that you can search for people by name, company, job title, location – or all of these. So, if you’re a builder and you want to get to know surveyors in Tonbridge you can easily find them with a quick search. LinkedIn not only returns their name but a profile that tells you more about them making it easier to find synergies between you. Very useful for that first request to connect…

You can reach out directly with a personalised request rather than a bland ‘I’d like to connect’. I would always recommend you avoid being salesy. You might simply say, ‘I see we both work in construction, and both spent time at Wates.’   Connection messages are free, or a subscription enables you to message people directly using InMail. 

Now, activate ‘engagement mode’… Anyone who simply broadcasts information and doesn’t engage with others will have limited success on LinkedIn. You’re the person at the party who turned up, didn’t talk to anyone then wondered why they weren’t invited to the next one. By ‘engagement’ I mean liking, commenting and reposting the posts of others. Engagement makes you visible.

It pays to think laterally about who to connect with. You can find local contacts who will host a podcast about your business or journalists looking for content. You can create trusted referral partners from connections to people with the same role as you but with a different audience. There are often opportunities for joint ventures with new connections. 

For example, I wrote a LinkedIn article with a local solicitor and my builder client on dilapidation contracts – a niche topic but a search term for landlords needing that service and both parties got to showcase their expertise.

Posts about local events you have been to that tag other attendees usually generate interest. We all love to see and be seen. I also recommend content that demonstrates your specialist knowledge. Unique thought pieces are valued by LinkedIn and your followers. They can lead to speaking opportunities or being sought after for media quotes. You may even get the opportunity to write an article for an esteemed local magazine!

Lucy Ames is Founder of Smartist Social Media specialising in social media for local property and people clients.
@smartist.socialmedia

For more information on RTW Media Group visit www.rtwmg.com

Eileen Leahy
Author: Eileen Leahy

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