How To Use LinkedIn: A Guide

LinkedIn is a professional networking platform that has become an essential tool for job seekers and businesses alike. With over 660 million users, LinkedIn is the go-to platform for job seekers to find their next career opportunity, and for businesses to find top talent.But with so many users and so much information available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on how to use LinkedIn to its full potential.

How Much is LinkedIn Premium?

LinkedIn offers both free and premium membership options. The free membership option includes access to basic features, such as creating a profile, searching for jobs, and connecting with other users.

LinkedIn Premium offers additional features, such as seeing who has viewed your profile, messaging users not in your network, and accessing a more significant number of job postings.

There are three levels of LinkedIn Premium:

LinkedIn Premium Career:

  • This entry-level premium option includes access to job postings, the ability to see who has viewed your profile, and the ability to message users outside of your network. This plan starts at $29.99 per month.

LinkedIn Premium Business:

  • This plan includes all the features of the LinkedIn Premium Career plan and additional business-focused features such as the ability to search for companies and access a more significant number of job postings. This plan starts at $59.99 per month.

LinkedIn Premium Sales:

  • This is the top-tier premium option. It includes all the LinkedIn Premium Business plan features and additional sales-focused features such as the ability to see who has viewed your sales Navigator profile and access to sales Navigator insights. This plan starts at $79.99 per month.

It’s worth noting that LinkedIn does offer discounts for annual billing, and there are also discounts available for students and recent graduates.

How to Use LinkedIn

Now that you know how much LinkedIn Premium costs, let’s delve into how to use the platform to its full potential.

Create a Compelling Profile

Your LinkedIn profile is essentially an online resume, so it’s essential to make an excellent first impression.

Here are some tips for creating a compelling LinkedIn profile:

Use a professional headshot as your profile picture.

Use a clear and concise headline that summarizes what you do and what value you bring to the table.

Include a summary that provides an overview of your experience, skills, and accomplishments.

List your work experience, starting with your current position and working backward. Be sure to include any relevant accomplishments and responsibilities for each position.

Include any education or certifications you have received.

Add any skills or expertise you have and any industry-specific knowledge.

Include any publications or articles you have written and any presentations you have given.

Add any volunteer work or causes you are passionate about.

Include any recommendations or endorsements from colleagues, clients, or supervisors.

Build Your Network

One of the key benefits of LinkedIn is the ability to connect with other professionals. It’s important to build a strong network of connections as it can open doors to new job opportunities, business leads, and expertise.

Here are some tips for building your LinkedIn network:

  1. Connect with your current colleagues and supervisors.

  2. Connect with former colleagues, classmates, and professionals you have previously worked with.

  3. Join LinkedIn groups related to your industry or areas of interest, participate in discussions and offer valuable insights. This can help you build your reputation as an expert in your field.

  4. Follow industry thought leaders and influencers, and engage with their content by commenting and sharing. This can help you stay up-to-date on industry trends and make connections with other professionals in your field.

  5. Use the LinkedIn search function to find and connect with potential clients, partners, or job opportunities.

Engage with Your Network

Merely having connections is not enough; it’s crucial to actively engage with your network to build relationships and stay top-of-mind.

Here are some ways to engage with your LinkedIn network:

  1. Share relevant and valuable content on your LinkedIn feed. This could include articles, infographics, videos, or other resources that interest your connections.

  2. Comment and like the posts of your connections. This shows that you are paying attention and engaged in their content.

  3. Endorse the skills of your connections, and ask for endorsements in return. This helps to build credibility and demonstrate your expertise.

  4. Use LinkedIn messaging to build relationships with your connections. This could be as simple as asking how their week is going or sharing a resource or piece of content that you think they would find valuable.

Best Time to Post on LinkedIn

To maximize the reach and engagement of your LinkedIn content, it’s important to consider when you are posting.

According to research, the best time to post on LinkedIn is during the week, specifically Tuesday through Thursday. The best time of day to post on LinkedIn is during business hours, specifically from 7-8 am and 5-6 pm.

It’s worth noting that the best time to post on LinkedIn may vary depending on your industry and target audience, so it’s a good idea to experiment with different times and pay attention to the engagement and reach of your posts.

In conclusion, LinkedIn is a powerful tool for job seekers and businesses alike. By creating a compelling profile, building your network, and actively engaging with your connections, you can use LinkedIn to its full potential and achieve your professional goals.

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