Think You Know LinkedIn? 8 Common Myths Debunked

Have you ever wondered what happens when you reach the magical “Connections” level on LinkedIn? Or how do people connect with people outside of their immediate network? Or how can you prevent your entire network from seeing a tiny profile update?

Although LinkedIn is a powerful tool for business people in all industries, there are still many misunderstandings about how it works.

Read on to learn the truth about some of the most common LinkedIn myths.

Myth # 1: LinkedIn is only helpful if you are looking for a job.

Truth: LinkedIn is a great place to build your professional brand, stay up to date with your network, and gain insight and knowledge at every point in your career.

Krystal Wu, Social Media Community Manager at HubSpot, said: “LinkedIn is not just a tool for looking for a new job or getting in touch with your employees. It allows users to demonstrate and grow their expertise on a topic Relationships with like-minded people. “

Tipping: Keep your profile up to date, even when you are not looking for a job, so you can find opportunities. By staying up to date with your network, you can use these connections when needed.

You should also follow channels, influencers, groups, and company pages for personalized news and insights. If you follow the right content and have conversations with your network, you will find potential business opportunities that you hadn’t thought of before.

Myth # 2: When I update my profile, everyone on my network will be notified.

Truth: You can control what is sent to your network so that you get the congratulations you deserve on your terms.

Tipping: If you switch to edit mode in your profile, there is an option at the bottom of the page that asks if you want your network to be informed of profile changes. Just turn this on / off as you see fit.

Myth # 3: I can only connect with someone I know well.

Truth: You are welcome to invite someone to contact you even if they are not your best friend. The best connections are those that are mutually beneficial for building a relationship.

Tipping: The best way to connect is to send a personalized invitation or ask someone on your network to introduce you. Make sure to include what is included for the person you want to connect to.

Myth # 4: There are secret features that are unlocked when you make 500 connections.

Truth: After 500, LinkedIn no longer shows your number of connections in your profile, but nothing happens if you go beyond it.

Tipping: The trick for a successful network is to have both qualities and Amount. Developing better relationships with your connections opens up more opportunities for like-minded professionals in your industry.

Myth # 5: If I accept invitations from people I don’t know well, I’m open to spam.

Truth: If you find someone who is acting improperly, you can remove them from your network or Mark them as spammers on the LinkedIn support team.

Tipping: Manage your network by clicking on “My Network”. This is the central hub from which you can add or remove connections. It’s also a great and easy way to keep in touch with your connections.

Myth # 6: I can only notify people I am connected to.

Truth: Outside of your network, you can also send messages to members who are in the same group as you or who use premium emails.

Tipping: Join groups relevant to your company, industry, or areas of interest and expertise. Use groups to share your knowledge, gain insights, and build relationships with which you can achieve your goals on the platform.

Myth # 7: I should only publish content about my company and industry.

Truth: You should share everything that feels like a representation of you and your professional brand. A good and simple question to ask yourself before posting is: “Would people on my network find this interesting?”

Wu adds: “LinkedIn is actually more than just work. It is about your skills, your connections and your projects. With LinkedIn you can convey your message to a network of people and highlight the talented person you are when it comes to your job or not. “

Tipping: Vary the topics you post about to keep your network busy and hearing more. Whether you’re posting your own content or republishing something you’ve read in the news, sharing is a great way to build relationships, learn a little more about yourself and your interests, and stay up to date Target group.

Myth # 8: LinkedIn is the least social platform.

Truth: LinkedIn is a popular platform for professionals. It is used to network and even sell your product. In fact, when you make B2B buying decisions, 50% of buyers turn to LinkedIn as a resource.

Tipping: Use social features like LinkedIn Stories or LinkedIn Live to connect with your audience.

Kelly Hendrickson, marketing manager on HubSpot’s social media team, says: “The audience engages in human conversations on the platform, while LinkedIn adds other social functions to encourage this engagement.”

LinkedIn is a great tool for professionals to connect with potential employees or even potential customers. Don’t sleep on this social media site as the platform becomes more popular and user-friendly.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in August 2014 and has been updated for completeness.