YIKES framework by Marketing Goodness
How to use LinkedIn
Do you know how to use LinkedIn?
In 2020, there’s no escaping LinkedIn. It’s the largest professional social media channel with over 635 million users. Most don’t know how to use LinkedIn or understand how it works.
Everyone has flocked to set up a profile. But then they sit back expecting something to happen.
And guess what. NADA. Niente. Nothing.
I often meet business owners and companies who say to me, yep, we’re on LinkedIn, now what?
What do we post? How does it work?
I created my YIKES framework to help.
It’s a strategic approach to LinkedIn. Where your activity is directly linked to the goals you have and what you want to be known for.
The below is a wrap up of posts I created on LinkedIn to explain how it works. {it’s a great example of how to repurpose content too}.
😉 The Y in my YIKES framework stands for YOU and why you’re on LinkedIn
🤦♂️Why?
Because if you don’t understand why you’re on LinkedIn and what you want to be known for you’re wasting your time.
You’ll probably lament to me that social media doesn’t work because you’ve posted a few things, put up a pretty picture but haven’t got any business yet.
🧘🏻♀️ So before you go all in, it’s time to go all Deepak Chopra on yourself.
👉Really think about why you’re on LinkedIn or other channels.
👉Be clear about what you want to be known for {oh hey Personal Brand}.
👉And have a goal with a metric so you can see if it’s working for you.
Your homework: What are you on LinkedIn for? What do you want to be known for?
I in YIKES framework is all about intent.
👉🏻Why?
Many people tell me they spend hours on socials for no result.
They are right. It can be a massive time suck.
When I dig a little deeper it turns out they are mindlessly scrolling rather than taking focused actions towards their goals.
💡Here’s a thought 💡
If you take intentional action to connect with people, start or join conversations that align with your goals for LinkedIn the results will come.
👩🏻💻What are your intentional actions?
How can you make better use of your time?
In 15 minutes a day? Half an hour? An hour a week?
The K in my YIKES framework stands for KNOW-HOW
Each social platform has its quirks and it pays to understand them before you dive right in.
That way you won’t post pictures of your lunch to LinkedIn or be too serious over on Instagram.
Know-How is all about exploring best practices on each channel, starting with your profile.
Understanding what will/won’t work and how to give your content the best chance of standing out.
Get to know the unspoken rules so you don’t unintentionally break them.
E in my YIKES framework is all about ENGAGEMENT
If you’re the only one talking it’s not very social is it?
💡To be good at social you need to be social and that means interacting with the people on it.
Engagement looks a lot like:
– meaningful comments
– liking posts
– private conversations behind the scenes
Your goal is to start or join a conversation where you can add value and aligns with what you want to be known for.
The S and the last step in my YIKES framework stands for SHARE.
So far;
✅ you’ve worked out why you’re on LinkedIn
✅ identified intentional action to support your goals
✅ know how it works
✅ have dipped your toe by engaging with your network
Now it’s time to share what you know.
Right now, there are more people consuming content on LinkedIn than there are people creating it.
That presents a big opportunity to be seen for those who are brave enough to share – yes?
You can create your own content, share other people’s content but put your spin on it.
🦩 If you want to stand out it’s time to start posting.
Are you ready?
Rebecca Cofrancesco
About the Author
Rebecca Cofrancesco is an experienced marketing strategist and content creator.
She works with professional services brands and offers freelance services without the overhead of a full-time employee.
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