Why LinkedIn is essential for property sector leaders
LinkedIn is not just another social platform. It's a goldmine of opportunities for leaders in the property sector.
But picture this: how often do you find yourself opening LinkedIn? As a property sector professional, chances are it's at least three times a week. And how often do you actually post on LinkedIn? Probably not as often. There are currently 65+ million business decision makers on LinkedIn and 4 out of 5 members drive business decisions within their company. The numbers speak for themselves. If you are just on the platform as an observer, you might be missing a great opportunity to get in front of the people you are trying to reach every day, perhaps in ways that are more time consuming and less effective.
Working with senior professionals in the property sector for the last decade, I have witnessed how elevating their profile on LinkedIn unfailingly delivers better and quicker results than any other platform or marketing activity. When senior leaders actively use and elevate their LinkedIn profile, compared to when they don't, we achieve:
5 times more direct opportunities or leads
70% more engagement from their target audience
Opportunities materialize on average 3 times quicker
Pretty impressive right?
So what happens if you don’t have a presence on LinkedIn? Missed networking opportunities, limited visibility and influence, reduced credibility, restricted access to industry insights, competitive disadvantages, and struggles in attracting top talent. In short, being left behind. Now, those are consequences you don't want to face. Embracing LinkedIn as a personal branding tool is the key to unlocking a world of growth.
How to get started
Okay, I get it. Building your presence on LinkedIn might seem like a daunting task. It can take time, effort, and a little bit of know-how. So here are some actionable steps to kickstart your journey:
Polish Your Profile: Your LinkedIn profile is your digital business card. Make sure it's up to date and showcases your expertise, skills, and achievements. From that last conference you spoke at to your latest project success, let your profile reflect the impressive professional you are.
Know Your Audience: To make an impact on LinkedIn, understand your audience is key — who are you trying to reach, what are their interests, pain points, and preferred topics. Go beyond the surface and dive deeper into specific niches within the property sector. Align your research with your business goals. It will help you tailor your content and engagement to capture the attention of the right people.
Engage in Conversations: Join discussions around industry trends and conversations. Share your own content or engage with other people’s. If you network offline, you are likely to be very much in the know. Bring that knowledge to your online audience. Follow relevant hashtags, participate in discussions, and offer your insights. By adding value to conversations, you'll position yourself as a valuable contributor and gain visibility (and credibility) within your industry.
LinkedIn Groups: Join industry-specific LinkedIn groups to connect with like-minded professionals or niche groupd. Engage in focused discussions, share your experiences, and learn from others. It's a perfect opportunity to build meaningful relationships and expand your network.
Analyze and Adjust: Keep track of your LinkedIn activities. Monitor engagement metrics, track what content resonates with your audience, and refine your strategy accordingly. LinkedIn provides insights to help you fine-tune your approach and maximize your impact. Like with anything, it is a learning curve.
BUT don’t forget…
Consistency is Key: Remember, consistency is vital on LinkedIn.
You wouldn't walk into a networking event, say one sentence, and then disappear for ten minutes, would you?
The same goes for LinkedIn. The second keyword is frequency. You want to show up often, with the same positioning. Be present, engage consistently, and be part of the ongoing conversations. Stand out from the digital noise -interact with industry news, offer thought-provoking perspectives, and engage with others' content through likes, comments, and shares. Show up consistently, and your audience will take notice.