We all know LinkedIn is a huge network of professionals where we can showcase our services within our industry, but what many don't realize, is the potential this network has for actually gathering content for your blog and social media channels.
Having a steady flow of content is an essential part of the equation in generating leads and maintaining meaningful dialogue with your target audience.
LinkedIn has one unique feature that makes it extraordinarily valuable for content building - and this is LinkedIn Answers.
It's basically a forum for Q&A, nicely sorted by niche.
Throw out a question and solicit answers from professionals and authorities in your field - simple concept, but one that many people aren't taking advantage of.
Here are a few ways to leverage Answers to really turn this feature into a productive part of your content building routine.
1.
Brainstorm & Post Questions Systematically Rather than waiting until a random question comes up and posting it - which basically just puts a delay in your workflow -spend an hour or so once a week brainstorming questions you'd like to answer for your audience.
Read articles in your favorite blogs and magazines for inspiration, get the gears turning, and write up a list of 5-10 questions at a time.
Make them specific and detailed (without rambling) and post them in the appropriate categories.
2.
Be Transparent About Your Intentions Rather than throw out a question under the guise of a "curious noob," acknowledge that you're an author/blogger and are looking for authorities in the industry to provide some context and professional insight to an article you're working on.
Note that you'll credit everyone you quote, and that you'll link back to them in your article.
This will attract quality answers - because EVERYONE on LinkedIn wants to be acknowledged in public as the authorities they strive to be.
3.
Harvest Quality Answers & NETWORK When you have a steady flow of answers coming in, go about harvesting the best of them, carving out the best quotes you see.
Paraphrasing is ok, too, but remain true to your word about crediting.
This is the power of LinkedIn - not only have you drawn in great content for your blog, but you've created an opportunity for networking with industry professionals.
With one question, not only can you bring in a few paragraphs worth of great content and ideas, but you can actually connect with several authorities in your niche.
Exchange emails with these people, pick their brains, offer to reciprocate and let them know your areas of expertise.
Doing these things consistently week-to-week is a great way to build both content and relationships.
These are the two keys to making yourself known in your industry - and why we blog to begin with.
And don't forget to be personal and have fun - the professionals you want to be working with are not robots and will appreciate a real person on the other end of the line or email.
Remember your sense of humor, it goes a long way!
Having a steady flow of content is an essential part of the equation in generating leads and maintaining meaningful dialogue with your target audience.
LinkedIn has one unique feature that makes it extraordinarily valuable for content building - and this is LinkedIn Answers.
It's basically a forum for Q&A, nicely sorted by niche.
Throw out a question and solicit answers from professionals and authorities in your field - simple concept, but one that many people aren't taking advantage of.
Here are a few ways to leverage Answers to really turn this feature into a productive part of your content building routine.
1.
Brainstorm & Post Questions Systematically Rather than waiting until a random question comes up and posting it - which basically just puts a delay in your workflow -spend an hour or so once a week brainstorming questions you'd like to answer for your audience.
Read articles in your favorite blogs and magazines for inspiration, get the gears turning, and write up a list of 5-10 questions at a time.
Make them specific and detailed (without rambling) and post them in the appropriate categories.
2.
Be Transparent About Your Intentions Rather than throw out a question under the guise of a "curious noob," acknowledge that you're an author/blogger and are looking for authorities in the industry to provide some context and professional insight to an article you're working on.
Note that you'll credit everyone you quote, and that you'll link back to them in your article.
This will attract quality answers - because EVERYONE on LinkedIn wants to be acknowledged in public as the authorities they strive to be.
3.
Harvest Quality Answers & NETWORK When you have a steady flow of answers coming in, go about harvesting the best of them, carving out the best quotes you see.
Paraphrasing is ok, too, but remain true to your word about crediting.
This is the power of LinkedIn - not only have you drawn in great content for your blog, but you've created an opportunity for networking with industry professionals.
With one question, not only can you bring in a few paragraphs worth of great content and ideas, but you can actually connect with several authorities in your niche.
Exchange emails with these people, pick their brains, offer to reciprocate and let them know your areas of expertise.
Doing these things consistently week-to-week is a great way to build both content and relationships.
These are the two keys to making yourself known in your industry - and why we blog to begin with.
And don't forget to be personal and have fun - the professionals you want to be working with are not robots and will appreciate a real person on the other end of the line or email.
Remember your sense of humor, it goes a long way!
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