5 Common Myths People Believe About LinkedIn Engagement

Every now and then, I meet a LinkedIn skeptic—someone who understands the importance of a professional profile but doesn’t see the value of actually engaging on the platform. By now, I think I’ve heard all the excuses, from lack of time to doubt about the impact. Do you fall into the skeptic camp? Allow me the opportunity to change your mind.
 

Myth 1: Unless I'm selling something, engaging on LinkedIn won't benefit me.  

If you’re not already active on LinkedIn, my question to you is, “How else are you staying on people’s radar?” Even beyond the sales benefits (which are many!), staying top of mind is helpful for all sorts of business reasons. Just by seeing your face and name on their feed, your colleagues and connections are more likely to remember you when they have a new opportunity, connection, or idea to share that could propel your career or business. 

“Staying top of mind is helpful for all sorts of business reasons.” 

Myth 2: Posting on LinkedIn takes too much courage - everyone I know will see my posts! 

If the fear of a large audience is keeping you back, let me reassure you. Creating content on LinkedIn is less like addressing a quiet audience from behind a podium and more like speaking from your booth at a crowded exhibit center. In other words, not every single person in your network will see your posts due to the constant stream of content on LinkedIn. So get out there, start talking, and engage with those who happen to be walking by your “booth” when you do.

“Creating content on LinkedIn is less like addressing a quiet audience from behind a podium and more like speaking from your booth at a crowded exhibit center.” 

Myth 3: The people I'm trying to reach aren't on LinkedIn.  

When clients tell me their audience isn’t on LinkedIn, they’re often referring to a particular profession. For example, about one in 10 financial advisors I work with specialize in helping healthcare professionals like doctors, dentists, and pharmacists. The truth is, medical professionals increasingly are on LinkedIn. In fact, millions of LinkedIn’s more than 810 million users are doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals. Before you make an assumption about who is on LinkedIn and who’s not, do your research. 

“Before you make an assumption about who is on LinkedIn and who’s not, do your research.” 

Myth 4: I don't have time to post on LinkedIn.  

I hear you, you’re busy! The good news is, engaging on LinkedIn doesn’t need to be a giant time block on your calendar. In fact, for most clients, I recommend against large amounts of LinkedIn time and instead encourage my clients to make engaging on LinkedIn a regular practice of just a few minutes a day. Even the busiest people I know can set aside 10 minutes or less to hop on LinkedIn and join the conversation. 

“I recommend against large amounts of LinkedIn time and instead encourage my clients to make engaging on LinkedIn a regular practice of just a few minutes a day.” 

Myth 5: If I post regularly, I'll annoy my network.  

Even with a regular habit of posting, you won’t be bombarding your network. As I mentioned in Myth 1, not everyone will see your posts. In fact, it would take posting once a day for 60 days in a row to reach everyone in your network just one time! Rest assured that there is plenty of room in the LinkedIn universe to keep talking without hogging the mic, so to speak. 

“It would take posting once a day for 60 days in a row to reach everyone in your network.” 

Bonus Myth: It's okay that my profile doesn't represent me well - I don't have many connections anyway.  

Many of my clients don’t understand that your profile is publicly visible. As I often tell clients, LinkedIn and Google love each other. There is a very high likelihood that your LinkedIn profile is one of the first search results when someone Googles your name. People don’t even need to have a LinkedIn account to view your profile. Ignoring the public nature of your LinkedIn profile is like leaving the house without pants or shoes. To maintain your professional and online reputation, investing in your LinkedIn profile is critical. 

“Ignoring the public nature of your LinkedIn profile is like leaving the house without wearing pants or shoes.” 

Conclusion: 

If you’re looking for a sign to get off the sidelines and join the action, this is it! Your network is better because you’re in it. While I’m not opposed to non-digital marketing tactics, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another option that’s as effective and completely free. 

Not sure where to start? Let me make it really easy for you. My free guide gives you nine actionable ways to engage with your network and join the conversation. Check it out and, of course, give me a shout if you need more hands-on help.