Hi!
So far this Social
Media month, we’ve covered the short-term stuff…the actions that get you the most immediate results. Over the next two weeks, we’re going to be covering some really simple actions that will keep LinkedIn working hard for you as an essential part of your freelance business.
Connecting with Interested Buyers
First off, I’m going to pass on an important piece of advice I once got from a business
coach.
Join Groups. Lots of them.
When I first heard that, I brushed it off. Groups were corny. They were either filled with people pushing their businesses or flat out ghost towns. That was when I was employed though. Once I started freelancing, I learned that groups offered some very important benefits…
- They are an important part of a profile
that conveys your specialization in your niche
- They allow you to contact people whether you have InMail or not.
- The sheer process of looking for groups teaches you where the action is on the site.
I’m not gonna sit here and tell you that groups
will instantly change your life and bring you great clients. What I will say though, is that Groups (which are
now under Tools at the top right of the screen under the new Facebooky site layout which I can’t stand) are a way for you to go one level deeper in connecting on LinkedIn.
Spend some time this week joining a few groups with decent activity.
Don’t do it randomly though. Be strategic and look for groups in these areas…
- In your niche
- In an intersecting niche (e.g. I’m in healthcare tech, so I sometimes look for both healthcare groups, but also tech groups)
- For the people who hire you (CFOs, Marketing Managers, Editors, etc.)
- For people who do the same work you do. (Our group of course, but also people with your specific
skillset.)
- In a niche you’re considering
If I’m being extra real, I don’t sign in to check my groups very regularly. That’s why for the most
important, I get updates delivered to my email box. Use automation to make your life easier whenever you can.
This should take you more than 30 or so minutes to get going, but it’ll be worth it in free contacts alone. Have a great week!
Megan