LinkedIn, the oldest of the big three social media networking sites at a ripe age of 7, has slowly plugged along in the social sphere with adding new features to increase user experience for not only highly active users but for those that are new or newer to the personal business connecting platform experience. I refer to LinkedIn as a personal business connecting platform as believe it has molded itself into such. It has grown with the users and but yet has remained as a platform whereby anyone new can create a profile easily without having to play catch up and incorporate every app that is available just to be able have a presence.
As more and more people are looking for business opportunities, whether that be employment, clients/customers to grow the business or seeking advice from trusted sources, they are turning to the web to reach out to connect with people to find some guidance. LinkedIn, as a business connecting platform has become that guidance resource by continually updating at a pace that is acceptable to users and their time spent on LinkedIn. In May, they announced that they would be joining the ranks and users would be able to add and share videos. While this is welcomed addition, it does not seem to be as widely used so I wanted to reintroduce and provide some ideas on how to maximize the use of videos on LinkedIn.
How to Upload and Share Videos on LinkedIn
1. Create your video and upload to SlideShare either via your SlidesShare Account or directly from the LinkedIn app.
2. Once you hit upload, it will give a "converting" status. This takes a few minutes to convert.
3. The video is ready to upload to LinkedIn and will not appear until you "Manage Your Presentations" on LinkedIn for SlideShare.
4. Click "Manage Your Presentations", click on your video and to the right will appear a menu of sorts. Click "Show On Profile"
5. Once you click "Show on Profile" a "confirm" message will appear for you to confirm and then the video will be uploaded to your profile.
The video will be posted on both SlideShare and also LinkedIn. Change your mind, you can easily delete the video from your SlideShare account.
What Types of Videos Do I Upload?
Videos have become the next best thing. Vlogging, tutorials, ad campaigns, etc. it is almost endless. Video is advancing however so many of us are ignoring this. I admit, I have not created a Vlog in over 6 months (vanity tends to take over here). People like to feel connected to people as if they know you by seeing and hearing you. We see it all the time where people gain respect, notoriety and become industry leaders by how much of them they put out there. This is not to say that people who do not create videos are not successful, but we know that the ones that do, are able to relate better to their audience as the audience feels that connection to them. Their voice, body language, smile, enthusiasm and even their quirks.
1.Video Introduction. Introducing yourself as a business person and defining your purpose on LinkedIn. If you are a consultant, explain what you do, if you are someone looking to grow your business or even just for connections tell them by emphasizing your LinkedIn Summary. Let people get to know you and feel that connection to you.
2. Video Resume. Employers are looking for someone that stands out and will fit into their corporate culture (of course from those that are qualified). A video that is well done will set you apart from the rest. As a personal business connecting platform, people are connecting with people at places that are hiring. Your LinkedIn profile is being viewed as well as your online activity. Why not give them something to look at and remember?
3. Tutorial. Creating video tutorials are wonderful. I refer to them constantly when they are available. If I see it, then I can apply it as sometimes the written does not always work so well.
4. Webinar. We see slides from a webinar uploaded as a presentation but many times the audio is missing and we are unable to follow what the webinar was really about. This takes time but will be worth it to the audience.
5. Video Sharing Others. Sharing videos of others that you have viewed and learned from with your connections shows your commitment to the betterment of the industry, I believe. This is of course if the video is available for sharing.
These are a few ideas that you can consider when thinking about your LinkedIn profile and your connections. It is creating a community within your connections to see Who is your Charlotte and grow within that community. The community is there for you to connect with and build your network so that when someone asks for a referral, you are ready, willing and able to provide one.
What have your results been with videos on LinkedIn? Not yet delved into this? Keep me posted when you do as I am eager to see and also hear about your experience.