With Christmas party season coming up, I’ve already started thinking about what I’m going to wear.

I’m terrible for buying a new outfit and then deciding I need a new pair of shoes, a bag, and probably a few other things to go with it – buying the outfit is only half the job!

And LinkedIn is a bit like that… How often do you hit the “post” button on LinkedIn and think that’s your social media sorted for the day?

You’ve spent time coming up with an idea, writing the caption, finding a picture, and finally getting it posted.

But there’s more to LinkedIn than just posting.

If you’re not connecting with new people, replying to comments, or engaging with other people’s posts, you could be missing out on getting your content seen by a wider audience.

Here are three simple things you can do alongside posting to help grow your LinkedIn network.

1. Connect with the right people

You might be posting three times a week, but if you’re only connected to the same 200 people, you’re limiting who might see your content.

That’s why it’s worth spending a bit of time each week finding new people to connect with.

For example, if you’re a financial adviser who works with business owners in Newcastle, you can use LinkedIn to find people who fit that description.

Here’s how:

1. Open LinkedIn and search for a job title, such as “Managing Director”.
2. Select People from the results.
3. Click All filters and select your preferred location.
4. Scroll through the results, have a look at their profiles, and send connection requests to people you’d like to connect with.

You can then try different job titles, such as “Business Owner”, “CEO”, or “Director”, to find more people.

You don’t need to spend hours doing this; just 10 minutes here and there throughout the week can help you gradually build up your connections. The important thing is that you’re connecting with people who are relevant to you and your business, rather than sending requests to anyone and everyone.

2. Engage with other people’s posts

It’s easy to scroll through LinkedIn, like a few posts, and carry on with your day, but commenting on other people’s posts is worth making time for, too.

You don’t have to limit yourself to posts about financial planning. If a local business has won an award, someone you know has started a new job, or a business owner has shared something interesting, leave a comment.

Instead of commenting “Great post!” or “Congratulations!”, try to add more and ask a question.

For example, if a business owner shares a post about celebrating 10 years in business, you could congratulate them and ask what’s changed most since they started.

It’s also worth checking your own posts daily for comments. If someone has taken the time to comment, make sure to reply. A quick “Thanks!” is fine sometimes, but if they’ve asked a question or shared their experience, take the time to respond properly.

3. Invite people to follow your company page

LinkedIn lets you invite your connections to follow your company page, which can be useful if you’re regularly sharing content there too.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open LinkedIn and go to your company page.
2. Select Dashboard.
3. Click Invite to follow.
4. Choose which of your connections you’d like to invite.
5. Review your selections and send the invitations.

LinkedIn gives eligible page admins invitation credits. As with sending connection requests, be selective. There’s not much point inviting someone to follow your financial planning business if they’re unlikely to be interested in what you’re posting.

You don’t need to spend hours on LinkedIn every day to do all of this.

Even setting aside 10 minutes here and there to connect with new people, comment on posts, and reply to your connections can make a difference.

So, next time you hit the “post” button, don’t forget about the other bits that go with it!

If you’re struggling to find the time to keep on top of LinkedIn, or you’d like a hand with your social media content, we’re always here to help.

Email social@theyardstickagency.co.uk or call 0115 8965 300 to find out how we can support your content.