How Engaging on LinkedIn Helped Me Find Clients & Collaborations
How Engaging on LinkedIn Helped Me Find Clients & Collaborations
LinkedIn. It’s not just a digital resume; it’s a dynamic platform for building connections, showcasing your expertise, and—crucially—finding clients and collaborations. My own experience has shown me just how powerful consistent and genuine engagement can be. Here’s how it worked for me:
DO: Define My Niche and Target Audience:
Before I started actively engaging, I clarified who I wanted to reach. What were my specializations? What kind of clients was I looking for? Defining my niche helped me target my engagement and connect with the right people.
DON’T: Just Broadcast My Own Content:
Early on, I realized that simply sharing my own posts wasn’t enough. It felt like shouting into a void. I needed to shift my focus to engaging with other people’s content.
DO: Engage Authentically and Thoughtfully:
I started genuinely interacting with posts in my niche. I left thoughtful comments, shared relevant articles, and participated in discussions. The key was authenticity – I only engaged with content that truly resonated with me.
DON’T: Expect Immediate Results:
Building a network and attracting clients takes time. I didn’t see results overnight. It required consistent effort and patience.
DO: Share My Expertise Through Comments and Posts:
As I engaged more, I also started sharing my own insights and expertise in the comments sections of relevant posts. This helped establish me as a knowledgeable voice in my field. I also continued to share my own valuable content, but now it was part of a larger engagement strategy.
DON’T: Be Afraid to Start Conversations:
I began reaching out to people whose content I found interesting. I personalized my messages, mentioning something specific that resonated with me. This often led to valuable conversations and sometimes even collaborations.
DO: Participate in Relevant LinkedIn Groups:
Joining groups related to my niche was a game-changer. It allowed me to connect with potential clients and collaborators who were already interested in what I offered.
DON’T: Treat Connections as Transactions:
I focused on building genuine relationships, not just transactional connections. I offered help and support to others, without expecting anything in return. This created a foundation of trust and reciprocity.
DO: Offer Value First, Ask Later:
Instead of directly pitching my services, I focused on providing value to my network. I shared helpful resources, offered advice, and contributed to discussions. This built credibility and made people more receptive when I eventually did mention my services.
DON’T: Neglect Follow-Up:
When a conversation went well, I always followed up. This could be a simple thank you message or a more detailed proposal, depending on the context.
DO: Track My Engagement and Refine My Strategy:
I paid attention to what kind of engagement was generating the most results. This helped me refine my strategy and focus on activities that were most effective.
DON’T: Give Up Easily:
Finding clients and collaborations through LinkedIn takes time and effort. There were times when I felt discouraged, but I kept at it. Persistence is key.
DO: Celebrate Small Wins:
Every new connection, every positive interaction, every collaboration was a win. Celebrating these small victories kept me motivated and fueled my continued engagement.
In the end: My success on LinkedIn wasn’t about aggressive self-promotion. It was about genuine engagement, providing value, and building authentic relationships. By focusing on these principles, I was able to find clients and collaborations that have significantly boosted my career.