So, I was chatting with Grace the other day, you know, the LinkedIn guru from down the road. We were bouncing around ideas on how to really crack the code of LinkedIn these days. It’s changed so much, hasn’t it? We specifically drilled into experimenting with the new LinkedIn features & algorithm updates – basically, how to stay one step ahead. It’s not just about churning out content; it’s about being smart about it.
‘Right, so first things first,’ Grace started, swirling her coffee. ‘You’ve got to actively monitor what LinkedIn is throwing at you. And I don’t just mean vaguely scrolling through their blog once a month! I’m talking about LinkedIn’s official announcements, tech news sites covering social media updates, and, crucially, paying attention to what the algorithm seems to be rewarding.’
This is where I felt I’d been falling down. I’d been so focused on content creation that I’d neglected the understanding part. Grace emphasized setting up Google Alerts for phrases like ‘LinkedIn algorithm update’ and ‘LinkedIn new features.’ She also suggested following LinkedIn influencers who dedicate their content to dissecting algorithm changes. Makes sense, really, letting the experts do the digging.
‘Okay, so we’re monitoring. Now what?’ I asked, already feeling slightly overwhelmed. ‘Now,’ she replied with a grin, ‘we experiment!’. This is the fun part, apparently. She meant seriously putting these changes into practice.
Let’s consider LinkedIn Articles, for example. They are a powerful tool to showcase your expertise and reach a wider audience. If LinkedIn suddenly pushes articles in the algorithm, start writing a longer form article addressing common questions of your target audience. It’s about offering genuine value, not just selling a product. If they push polls, create engaging and thought provoking questions aimed at discovering your audiences opinions on a particular topic. This is very useful data when creating content going forward. She also pointed out that engagement is a two way street. It’s no good posting and hoping for the best. You have to actively engage with comments, respond to messages promptly, and even initiate conversations on other people’s posts. This will boost your visibility and build relationships, which is the ultimate goal.
Grace made a great point about LinkedIn Live. If LinkedIn is favouring live videos (and often they do early on), then consider hosting regular sessions. These don’t have to be overly polished productions. Q&A sessions, interviews with industry experts, or even behind-the-scenes glimpses of your work can be incredibly effective. The key is authenticity and providing real value to your audience. Grace suggested that I practice using LinkedIn Live features such as screen sharing, adding guests, and interacting with comments in real-time. This would enhance the viewing experience and make my sessions more engaging.
We then talked about the importance of understanding your target audience. ‘It’s not enough to know their job titles,’ Grace explained. ‘You need to know their pain points, their aspirations, what keeps them up at night. You can’t generate new business if you don’t understand the people you’re trying to reach.’ She recommended using LinkedIn’s analytics tools to gain insights into your audience’s demographics, interests, and behaviours. I should then use this data to tailor my content and messaging to their specific needs.
Grace also stressed the importance of ethical AI usage. She cautioned against using AI tools to create fake profiles or generate spammy content. ‘It’s about using AI responsibly and ethically to enhance your efforts, not to replace them,’ she said. She suggested using AI tools to generate content ideas, improve grammar and spelling, and analyze data. However, she emphasised that human oversight and judgement are essential to ensure accuracy, relevance, and ethical considerations are met.
‘And prompt engineering,’ Grace added, sipping her coffee. ‘That’s the secret sauce to getting the most out of AI for lead generation and content curation. You need to be specific and clear in your prompts to get the desired results.’ She explained that prompt engineering involves crafting prompts that guide AI tools to generate high-quality content, identify potential leads, and curate relevant articles. She recommended experimenting with different prompts and refining them based on the results. For example, when using AI for lead generation, she suggested providing detailed information about your ideal customer profile, including job title, industry, company size, and location. This would help the AI tool identify potential leads that match your criteria.
Grace also shared some practical tips for improving LinkedIn performance. She emphasized the importance of optimising my profile with relevant keywords, including a professional headshot, and writing a compelling summary. She also suggested participating in relevant LinkedIn groups, sharing valuable content, and engaging in discussions. These activities would help me build my network, establish myself as an authority in my field, and generate new business opportunities.
All in all, our chat was a bit of a wake-up call. Staying ahead on LinkedIn isn’t a passive activity. It’s about actively monitoring, experimenting with new features, deeply understanding your target audience, and using AI tools ethically and strategically. The key takeaway? Be adaptable, be curious, and never stop learning. Now, I’m off to adjust my Google Alerts and start planning my first LinkedIn Live session!
