LinkedIn myths busted: top 10 red flags for those starting out

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There is a lot of advice being circulated around LinkedIn on the internet that is simply not true, and this can negatively impact those who are starting out on the platform. Here are the top 10 myths that I believe need to be busted:  

1. Don’t fill out your entire profile 

If you aren’t taking LinkedIn seriously enough to fill in your profile, LinkedIn won’t take your content seriously either. At least complete enough sections to get your profile to an “All Star” ranking.  

2. Set a personal profile with a company name 

This is against the Terms and Conditions. If you are reported or the AI finds you, LinkedIn will warn you to close or merge your account or just shut it down for you.  

3. Upload your logo as your profile image  

You are 14 times more likely to gain new connections with a profile image. Using logos, quotes, landscapes, celebrities, and animals as a profile image is against the User Agreement.  

4. LinkedIn is Only for job seekers 

This is very outdated thinking. Whilst LinkedIn profiles are designed with job seekers in mind, 94 per cent of B2B Marketers are using LinkedIn as their primary source of leads.  

5. Don’t bother with LinkedIn as nobody can find you anyway 

With over 722 million members on LinkedIn, if you haven’t optimised your profile, and never log in to engage and post content then yes, nobody will find you.  

6. The search bar is to look up people by their name 

LinkedIn is like a global Rolodex to help you find the exact person in the position and company you want to be in contact with. As a free member, you can search for people by name, location, job title, company, industry, plus a handful more filters. 

7. Connect with as many people as possible

Connect with as many of the RIGHT people as possible. Connecting with anyone and everyone is not the answer to ROI on LinkedIn.  

8. Connect with only people you know offline

This is LinkedIn’s official guideline. It is somewhat limiting but it’s a personal choice. One idea is to set your own criteria, e.g. connect with Australians, but evaluate connections from every other country on a target market basis.  

9. LinkedIn requires too much time each day to see ROI

The best way to use LinkedIn is to engage periodically throughout the day in the same way you use your email or check your phone messages. Checking once a day for an hour, and then not using it for another 24 hours is not the most effective way to use LinkedIn as a business tool.  

10. Facebook is for personal content, LinkedIn is for professional 

While that does describe the overall flavour of these platforms sharing your interests, insights and letting people into your life a little help with building rapport and credibility.  

When you’re starting out on LinkedIn, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the amount of information that comes your way. As long as you avoid these red flags, you will be on the right track.

Jillian Bullock, LinkedIn Ninja Down Under