Ramp up your LinkedIn skills: 3 quick tips

By Ashley Pace, governor at large, Generation Next - LinkedIn profile
Truck Bodies & Equipment International Inc

This article was originally published in the September 2019 issue of Generation Next Edition

Do you know you need to be more active on LinkedIn, but you’re just not sure how to get started? I recently found myself in the same boat, so I looked into the platform and investigated how to best utilize it. I ran into a few roadblocks, found solutions for them, and am happy to share what I found.

Build your credibility on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn’s “Profile Strength Meter” is a tool that guides users in creating strong profiles that will in turn increase credibility. The meter recommends specific profile sections that a user should focus on. If you implement these recommendations, your “discoverability” will increase, and you gain an All-Star Profile rating. Learn more about the Profile Strength Meter.

Differentiate between a “group” and a “page.”
A LinkedIn group is a place for members/fans/alumni of an organization or cause to dialogue with the organization and with each other. These can be private or public, and allow members to share information, interact with each other, and create a community around a shared interest. Conversely, a LinkedIn showcase page is a place for a user to learn more about a company or organization. On a LinkedIn page - which are always public - you may find job postings, company news or employee/member updates.

Share content.
The best tutorial I found on sharing content comes from LinkedIn’s help page.  These instructions provide step-by-step instructions on how to share your thoughts, videos, other media, or articles posted by someone else. It even gives you instructions for sharing from Android or IOS apps. I would suggest starting off with something small (e.g., three quick takeaways from a conference), or re-posting a link to get more comfortable with sharing content on LinkedIn. Soon enough, you’ll be a pro.

If you’re looking for more ways to get involved in LinkedIn, check out the Generation Next group. You can ask questions, share content, and network with fellow members. I would also suggest following the NTEA company page and Generation Next showcase page so you can receive updates on industry information and upcoming programs.