Previously reserved for a limited number of “influencers,” including CEOs and other thought leaders, LinkedInâ€s publishing platform will be rolling out to all users. You can request access by submitting a request to: http://specialedition.linkedin.com/publishing.

Why would you want to publish on LinkedIn?

First things first: if you already have a thriving blog or publishing platform, you’ll want to be strategic before you start to post content on LinkedIn. While LinkedIn allows you to duplicate content you’ve already written on your own site to publish on LinkedIn, it is possible that Google may penalize you for duplicate content and you may lose some search traffic as a result. Keep abreast of Google’s recommendations regarding cross-posting, which include posting a link to the original post in the duplicated blog.

However, if you have never blogged, there’s a lot of upside to posting on LinkedIn’s platform. It allows you to:

Demonstrate your expertise. When you write an article on LinkedIn, it is tied to your profile and available to anyone reviewing your information there. When you articulate complex concepts or describe strategic ways to address problems in your field, you can enhance your status and stature as an influencer in your field.

Expand your network. If what you write resonates with your audience, they have the opportunity to follow your updates, which could potentially increase your network, especially if they share your insights to their networks, which potentially expands your audience.

Who sees your posts?

Assuming you mark your post as public, LinkedIn notes that your posts will initially be distributed to your connections and followers via their LinkedIn homepage newsfeeds. As noted, your posts will also be linked in the “posts” section of your profile, which is under the top section of your profile with your headline and photo.

As more people read, comment, like and share your content, LinkedIn may pick up the article for broader distribution. They may distribute your posts as part of aggregated LinkedIn content (e.g., “Best of LinkedIn”) or on their trusted partner sites. You may find your posts featured on their news service, “Pulse,” which allows people to subscribe to topical news items.

Tips to extend your reach.

Consider the audience. Investigate topics in LinkedInâ€s Pulse. (Found under the “Interests” tab on LinkedIn’s toolbar). Review “all channels” and identify what channel your content would most likely fit. Note that LinkedIn readers tend to be focused on business oriented topics; this isnâ€t the place for you to share your essay waxing eloquent on why the color green makes you feel peaceful. Keep your audience in mind and target your posts for the best chance at wide distribution.

Engage and interact. LinkedIn also notes that the more you engage and interact on LinkedIn by reading and commenting on posts, the more authority and influence youâ€ll gain. They note, “Your activity on LinkedIn will affect distribution. The more you engage with the platform the more reputation youâ€ll build, and the more likely members will follow you and your posts. Liking and commenting on other posts are good ways to engage.” In other words, donâ€t just drop off content and expect it to skyrocket you to fame and fortune. Be a contributing member to your community and you could be rewarded with higher visibility and influence. And, donâ€t forget to revisit your post to respond to comments and acknowledge people who reply to you.

Cross-promote. Donâ€t forget to share your post in groups and other social networks. Post links on Twitter and Facebook; turn to your most supportive networks. Iâ€ve seen colleagues post specific requests to comment and share their latest LinkedIn posts, often resulting in the posts†resounding success.

What should you write?

The best content taps your professional expertise. LinkedIn suggests you write about, “Challenges you’ve faced, opportunities you’ve seized or important trends in your industry. This could include your most memorable work experiences, lessons you’ve learned along the way, or topics you’re most passionate about.” Youâ€re encouraged to write about your opinion; use your own voice; these posts can be conversational as well as offer strategic insights and actionable information. Obviously, LinkedIn advises you to avoid posting anything “obscene, shocking, hateful, intimidating or otherwise unprofessional,” or LinkedIn may revoke your publishing rights.

Before you take up the digital pen, be sure to read posts, with a discriminating eye. The platform is very transparent, in that you can immediately acertain how many views, likes and comments it has. Itâ€s easy to see how often itâ€s been shared to other networks. Seek posts with lots of engagement and emulate them in your own way.

How often to contribute?

Donâ€t overdo it. Many influencers write once a week. Quality is more important than quantity, but if you really want to gain a following, be sure to be consistent.

How long should posts be?

This depends on your audience, but most people prefer short, but insightful posts. There are no word limits, and LinkedIn says posts of more than three paragraphs do best.

Decorate your post.

You can include uploaded pictures, videos, presentations and other documents to add to your content. If you hope to gain any traction on LinkedInâ€s network, absolutely include a photo with your post. Be sure you have authority to distribute the picture and that you source it appropriately. Morguefile.com is a good source of free images to research.

Edit.

Thereâ€s nothing more credibility killing than a poorly written post laden with typos. If youâ€re not detail oriented, employ a friend or editor to review the content before you post it online.

Avoid selling.

LinkedIn could disable posts that are extremely and overtly selling a service or cause. (Thatâ€s what ads are for!) However, you can include links to information about you online, insert a bio and let people know if you have other publishing platforms, such as a blog or business site.

Legal concerns.

If youâ€re picky about what happens to your content, be aware that, while you own the rights to any posts you publish, LinkedInâ€s terms say they may “distribute your content, annotate your content (e.g., to highlight that your views may not be the views of LinkedIn) and sell advertising on pages where your content appears.”

Summary

It can’t hurt to try your hand at publishing on LinkedIn if you are a strong writer and have something to say — or if you can hire an editor to help craft or hone your message.

Visit my first post on LinkedIn about appreciating employees. Stay tuned for another post breaking down my experience publishing on LinkedIn.

The post Tips to write great LinkedIn posts appeared first on Keppie Careers.

We are a dedicated team of creative design and illustration warriors and we would like to be your one-stop marketing resource…We take your projects on like they are our own, so you can focus on doing what you love.

It was great to work with a talented artistic and technical team of people who went above and beyond expectations to create the new look. My main goal with this new landing page and site design was to incorporate targeted visuals and to make it easy for first-time visitors to learn about my services and how I can help both job seekers and business owners succeed with their goals.

Another factor in this redesign was my goal to personalize the page. When you work with Keppie Careers, you get me! I wanted to infuse the site with non-generic images that reflect what I offer, which is different from every other social media consultant, job search or business coach and resume writer.

I’ve always wanted a little less “header” and a more prominent call-to-action to invite you to “subscribe” to my updates. (If you haven’t already, please consider it! (Click on the link at the top of the page! You even get a free ebook when you subscribe.)

I’m also excited to highlight my books. This is a reminder of why it’s good to have input into your book’s cover design — someday, it will probably feature prominently on your website.

Another reason for the redesign? If I’m going to advise other small business owners about how to showcase their online brand, or their VIV-id, as Hannah Morgan and I dubbed it, it’s important that I keep my own site updated and focused on what I offer. I decided against the trend to create a never-ending scrolling site, which you may have seen lately. This choice is a lesson, too: learn about the trends, but only use the ones that work for you.

Finally – I relied on several friends and colleagues to provide feedback along the way. Thank you to all of you — you know who you are — who offered advice and ideas and who served as a wonderful “advisory board” for me.

I thought it would be fun to do a little retrospective of my past sites! Do you remember these? If you do, be sure to comment…It’s always great to connect with regular and long-time readers. And, I’ll look forward to meeting you here going forward!

My very first blog design was on WordPress.com and linked to a really basic website. After a year with that setup, I knew it was time to upgrade. (Hard to believe I’ve been blogging for just over five years this month!)

I hired an expert to help move my blog and KeppieCareers.com to one platform. I remember thinking long and hard about the images to represent my services. I chose the checkered tablecloth for the “speaker’s menu,” which was fun, but not perfect, by any means.

 

I enjoyed that first logo (notice the University of Michigan colors?), but I thought it would be great to work with a new professional to create a brand new logo to go with another redesign. We chose the blue and green and the “ripple” design indicating movement. The K on Keppie reaches beyond the blue bar to symbolize reaching beyond where you are now to achieve the next thing! I loved the checkerboard links to my services – this design eliminated a need to find pictures or visuals for those services, which was always a challenge.

The most recent design I just replaced was another upgrade. My services got their own, colorful “buttons,” but I always wanted to personalize it a bit more and to use the landing page’s space more effectively.

Clearly, since I’m on design #5 now as I end my fifth year of blogging, I like to see my webpage design as a bit of a work in progress. I’m sure to add a few tweaks here and there to the newest site, but I hope to stay with this design for a long time! I hope you like it as much as I do!

Thank you for reading my blog. It means the world to me to know that you click over to visit my page. I love when you share or retweet my links — I appreciate it so much. Please keep in touch and keep commenting!

(And, be sure to click to visit the new homepage!)

*Cubicle Ninjas specialize in: Advertising Design, Animation, Brand Creation, Graphic Design, Flash Production, Logo Design, Presentation Design, Illustration, Web Design, Motion Video Production and Sales Enablement Design

The post Big news at Keppie Careers! appeared first on Keppie Careers.