We live in a time of rapid technological progress, where a minor error can significantly impact your image. While small slip-ups might go unnoticed in personal use of social media apps, the scenario is different on professional platforms like LinkedIn, especially for leaders. It's crucial to carefully curate how you present yourself and your organisation. Well, numerous resources discuss enhancing your social media approach for success, but the actions to steer clear of that could tarnish your image as a leader are often overlooked. Therefore, we bring you - 

Six mistakes to avoid on LinkedIn: 

1. Unrelatable bio

If your bio doesn't strike a chord with your intended audience or lacks relevance to the professional setting, it can create a sense of disconnect between you, your expertise, your objectives, and the people you aim to engage with. Steering clear of such circumstances is vital as it goes against the fundamental purpose of presenting oneself on a professional networking platform. 

A bio should mirror your qualifications, experiences, and ambitions, offering a precise and true depiction of your professional identity. When it fails to align with your industry, objectives, or the interests of your network, it can cause confusion or disinterest, impeding your ability to connect effectively with suitable individuals or opportunities. Conversely, a bio that is relatable and genuine helps in building trust, credibility, and meaningful professional relationships.

2. Out-dated profiles

An infrequently updated profile on LinkedIn, not reflecting the person's present professional status, experiences, skills, or achievements, can be misleading. Outdated details such as job roles, responsibilities, or accomplishments that no longer apply due to career shifts or advancements can give an inaccurate representation. Moreover, a profile that lags in updates might suggest professional stagnation or a lack of engagement. 

On the contrary, regularly updated profiles signify active involvement in one's profession, a commitment to growth, and an attractive quality for potential employers, collaborators, or networking connections. To sum up, maintaining an up-to-date and accurate LinkedIn profile is crucial for presenting an authentic account of your professional journey. It ensures that opportunities align with your current skills and goals, painting you as a proactive and engaged professional in tune with the dynamic modern workplace.

3. Silent shares: Sharing your firm’s posts without commentary 

While this may seem like an easy way to keep your profile active and showcase your company's content, it often falls short in terms of personal branding and engagement. When you simply share a post without any accompanying commentary, you miss an opportunity to demonstrate your expertise, insights, and unique perspective to your professional network. Adding your thoughts or comments to a shared post provides context and shows your audience why you found the content valuable or important. 

It's a chance to highlight specific points from the article or post that resonate with you and explain why you think others should read or engage with it. This personal touch humanises your profile, making it more relatable and engaging. Additionally, you ensure that your company gets a strong personal brand, attracting a more engaged and interested audience. 

So, instead of just clicking ‘share,’ take a moment to add your voice and perspective—it can make a significant difference in how your network perceives you as a leader.

4. Engagement silence: Not engaging on employee content 

Neglecting or dismissing the posts shared by team members on a professional platform like LinkedIn conveys a sense of disinterest and detachment. This lack of interaction with employee content can have adverse effects. It impedes the cultivation of a positive work culture. Employees often seek recognition and acknowledgment from their leaders, and when their posts receive no engagement, it may lead to feelings of being undervalued. 

It disrupts effective communication. LinkedIn serves as a platform for professionals to exchange ideas and updates. Failing to engage with your employees' content means missing out on essential information, varied perspectives, and potential collaboration opportunities. Lastly, a leader who does not actively participate in discussions or engage with their team may come across as distant or disengaged. Engaging with employee content demonstrates your active involvement, interest, and approachability as a leader.

5. Overusing automation 

Though automation is a time-saver and process enhancer, finding the right balance is crucial. Excessive automation can yield adverse effects. Initially, it may generate insincere interactions, lacking the personal touch professionals desire on LinkedIn. Secondly, an overdose of automation could result in sharing irrelevant content. Automated systems might not accurately identify what holds value for your network, possibly overwhelming your connections with uninteresting or off-topic information. Moreover, an overreliance on automation might cause you to overlook real-time engagement opportunities.

6. Over-promotion

While showcasing accomplishments is important, bombarding connections with such content can have negative implications. Continuous self-promotion can make your interactions seem more like advertisements than genuine attempts to connect or share valuable insights. Authenticity is crucial for building trust and credibility on LinkedIn. Additionally, over-promotion can lead to disengagement. Followers and connections seek a variety of content, including educational posts, industry insights, and thought leadership. 

Focusing solely on self-promotion can alienate your audience and diminish their interest in your profile. Lastly, it can harm your professional image. Being perceived as overly self-promotional may deter potential collaborations, partnerships, or job opportunities. Balancing self-promotion with sharing industry insights and engaging with others is vital to maintaining a favorable and respected professional image. Finding this equilibrium is key to a successful LinkedIn presence.

To share information about funding, policies or other workforce-related changes, send us an email at samriddhi.s@gopeoplematters.com. We welcome your insights and contributions to our reporting.