Remote Networking Tips #4: Have a Daily Routine

This week we are focusing on online networking. When networking online it is important to engage with your contacts and your audience. If you are going to invest time in using social media you should also take the time to be active and engaging on social media.

Take LinkedIn for example, you should take the time to develop your own personalised daily routine (based on your goals).

Think about:

Why do you use LinkedIn?
What do you want to get out of it?
What would you like to do with it?

These goals should then inform your personalised daily routine on LinkedIn.

The best time to post to LinkedIn is on Tuesdays to Thursdays from 7.30-8.30am, 12pm and 5-6pm. However, as the lifetime of a post on LinkedIn will usually be 24 hours. So you can generally speaking post to suit your schedule. I personally spend 30 minutes in the morning on LinkedIn and then might browse the app later in the evening or as and when I get notifications popping up.

Here are some examples of things you might like to include in your daily routine for LinkedIn:

01. Check what is going on with your network

Your “notifications” should highlight updates in your network such as birthdays, anniversaries and job changes (you can also control which of these show up in your notifications). Where it is appropriate why not reach out and send a quick personal message to your LinkedIn connection. Remember this does not have to be through LinkedIn you could send them an email, a card, or pick up the phone. Choose your preferred method based on your relationship with that connection.

02. Invite others to connect

Regardless of what your personal rules about connecting with others and reaching out, you should still set aside some time in your daily routine to make new connections and take the time to send personalised invites. I will often connect with people that I have met while networking on LinkedIn so I set aside time each day to connect with new people. This includes people that I have met virtually as well.

I will also check out LinkedIn’s “people you may know” suggestions as often there will be a few contacts in there that you will know (particularly if you have a small close-knit network). You can also view your fellow alumni and your co-workers in the people you may know view which can also be a useful tool to utilise.

03. Check your LinkedIn Messages

Yes, it is likely to be some spam in there, so clear it out. There is also likely to be some unwanted offers or Inmails, again clear these out. Then you are free to focus on the proper LinkedIn Messages from your connections and potential connections.

You will want to respond in a timely manner as you would do with email. If you would prefer to continue the conversation by email. Do so. Use the system that is easiest for you.

If people have reached out to you to wish you well wishes or invite you to connect send a personalised thank you message back and keep the conversation going. Don’t ignore their messages, after all if you ignore them, why would they do it again.

04. Share Content and Respond to Comments

You should be sharing content that aligns with your goals for LinkedIn. For example, if you want to be seen as an expert in a particular field or industry you should make your content strategy reflect this. But make sure you keep it interesting and keep your audience / connections engaged. It doesn’t have to be all business. If you wanting to drive your strategy forward in this way you should be aiming to write fresh regular content – this might be daily, every couple of days or weekly. Don’t overpost, try a couple of different approaches and see what works for you.

LinkedIn wants to see regular and consistent engagement. It is also important to remember that the LinkedIn algorithm is not a fan of too many external links.

If you receive likes and comments on your posts, review them and engage and follow up with comments as appropriate. Again don’t ignore people’s comments, acknowledge them to encourage them to continue to engage with you.

Think about what you are posting. Keep it professional.

05. Browse your Newsfeed

You should do a quick review of your newsfeed and keep up to date with what is going on with your connections and what they are interested in. If the content is interesting and it appropriate for you to Like, Share or Comment – do so. Engage with your connections. Celebrate their successes with them. Share what your colleagues and company are posting about.

Take note about what people are posting about? Is there an excuse to get in touch or send a further message to strengthen current relationships? Are they attending an event you are attending? Have they recently connected with a mutual connection? Take advantage of these moments and insights in a professional and friendly way.

06. Post and Engage in Groups

I love the concept of groups, but LinkedIn doesn’t seem to prioritise groups and therefore I find that engagement in some groups can be lacking. However, find the right group it can be a great resource. Check-in on your groups. Review your group list and get rid of those that are not working for you.