LinkedIn Etiquette: Politeness Costs Nothing
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In the digital age, LinkedIn etiquette is crucial for your career. It’s the secret sauce to leave a lasting impression on potential employers, collaborators, and peers, leading to more opportunities.
At Embryo, we take LinkedIn etiquette very seriously and it forms an integral part of our communications and how we communicate respectfully. In this blog, we’ll explore key elements of LinkedIn Etiquette and some of the rules that you might be breaking.
To learn more feel free to get in touch with our expert team after you’ve read this blog by phone at 0161 327 2635 or email [email protected].
What is LinkedIn Etiquette and Why is it so important?
Let’s talk about LinkedIn etiquette, then. What is it? I suppose we could say it’s like a little rulebook with a set of guidelines to follow to encourage professional behaviour and positive interactions. Think of using polite language in your posts, comments, and messages, share valuable content, respect scheduled posts, engage promptly, and things like that – we want to focus on meaningful connections.
Practising good etiquette allows for support and respect within the LinkedIn community, enhancing networking and knowledge-sharing. We can all agree that professionals are drawn to respectful behaviour, which results in stronger connections and fruitful relationships. It all sounds simple, right?
Well here’s the key: politeness costs nothing. It’s the most vital aspect of LinkedIn etiquette to exercise when you want to make a positive impression and nurture your professional network. Being considerate and respectful in your communication leads to better engagement.
If you haven’t been aware of some of these etiquette standards, then don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! It’s never too late to learn about the techniques that you can implement to improve your LinkedIn experience.
Time to Talk: Communicating and Connecting in a Timely Manner
In the fast-paced world of LinkedIn, timely communication is proper etiquette. We can overthink when is the best time to respond or connect—when is too soon? Well, it’s never too soon. If someone reaches out to you with a connection request or a message after a meeting or networking event, it’s best to respond promptly, otherwise there is a chance that you could be forgotten.
Not only does it take only a matter of minutes, but it’s sure to make you stand out. Similarly, if someone does message you with a query or a professional opportunity, responding in a timely manner shows more value – it demonstrates a respect for their time and your interest in the interaction.
On the other hand, leaving connection requests pending for too long may give the impression of disinterest or neglect.
Okay, so I think we can establish the importance of communicating in a timely manner on LinkedIn and how it’s a fundamental aspect of professional etiquette. Not only does it demonstrate respect for others’ time, it strengthens your online presence, and reinforces your reputation as a reliable and engaged professional.
Embracing this practice places focus on more meaningful connections, enhances professional networking experiences, and sets you apart as a credible and accessible individual within the LinkedIn community.
Is now really the most ‘polite’ time?
Politeness and time zones are relevant on LinkedIn when considering the timing of your posts and interactions. Being sensitive to time zone differences is a great example of LinkedIn Etiquette.
It demonstrates respect for your global audience and improves the likelihood of engagement.
Scheduling your posts to align with peak activity times in various locations is great LinkedIn etiquette and this way you increase the chances of reaching a broader audience. Additionally, no one likes being bugged outside working hours, so being sensitive to time zones shows professionalism and consideration for others.
Too Little or a Little Too Much?
While LinkedIn is a platform for sharing insights and updates, bombarding your network with overly frequent posts can be counterproductive. It’s easy to come across as ‘spammy’. The aim is to strike a balance between staying active whilst not overwhelming your connections.
By posting thoughtfully and intentionally, you give your audience time to engage with your content and reflect on your ideas. The trick is to keep posting updates, sharing links, liking statuses, and connecting with the people you know, without overdoing it. Overposting can lead to disengagement and even cause some connections to block you and we don’t want anyone disassociating from your profile altogether.
As a general rule, post a couple of times per week, and no more than once per day.
Our senior content manager, Kara Smith comments on the results you can achieve by following etiquette and posting respectfully.
Kara said: “You’d be shocked by how much something as simple as a bit of increased activity can send your followers and connections through the roof.”
The proof is in the pudding – by operating with etiquette, you are able to reach more people and become more visible, without annoying your network. Remember, quality over quantity, and by sharing valuable content at a reasonable frequency, you enhance your reputation for thought leadership within the LinkedIn community.
The Balanced Approach to Meaningful Endorsements
Finding a balance in your approach to endorsements plays a pivotal role in cultivating meaningful connections and projecting a professional image. Prioritise endorsing people for the skills that are relevant to your profession to contribute to a focused and reputable profile. This way, you maintain credibility and your professional reputation isn’t affected.
LinkedIn etiquette emphasises meaningful interactions and avoiding excessively overindulging yourself and colleagues. By adopting a more tailored approach with your endorsements, you can offer quality endorsements to colleagues and connections that demonstrate your engagement in the professional community, adding value to their profiles.
It feels good to dish out endorsements and also receive them, right? However, the aim is to make only genuine and authentic recommendations that highlight true capabilities. So, it’s etiquette to only endorse people who possess the skills you know they have. This fosters a culture of mutual support and respect.
When it comes to endorsements, don’t be afraid to ask. Remember when I was saying how “Politeness costs nothing.”, well it really doesn’t, so just remember your LinkedIn etiquette. Don’t be asking any new connections to endorse you or do your favours straight away – nurture the relationship first. This way you’re automatically more respected and appreciated.
When you exercise gratitude for receiving endorsements through personal messages, you exemplify courteous LinkedIn behaviour. The act of offering meaningful endorsements without expecting reciprocation embodies the spirit of genuine support and collaboration.
Conclusion: Politeness Is Your Best Friend
In conclusion, LinkedIn etiquette revolves around a fundamental principle: politeness costs nothing but reaps great rewards. Embracing a respectful approach in all interactions paves the way for meaningful connections and professional growth.
By communicating in a timely manner, exercising a considered post frequency and maintaining a balanced approach, you contribute to a positive and supportive LinkedIn community. The power of politeness is so important as you build a reputable personal brand, leaving a lasting impression on potential employers, collaborators, and industry peers.
In the vast landscape of LinkedIn, embracing politeness is key to thriving in the digital professional world.
For more information on how we follow LinkedIn etiquette to build our network, feel free to get in touch with our expert team after you’ve read this blog by phone at 0161 327 2635 or email [email protected]. Feel free to check our other blogs.
