Stop Sabotaging Your LinkedIn Growth: The Outdated Tips to Avoid in 2024

Are you guilty of committing LinkedIn faux pas? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. But it’s time to leave behind those outdated tactics and level up your LinkedIn game in 2024. From boring headlines to generic connection requests, we’re spilling the tea on the top outdated tips to avoid maximum growth and success on the platform. So grab a cup of coffee (or tea) and get ready to take notes – it’s time to elevate your LinkedIn game.

Why should you care about LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is becoming the go-to platform for businesses to generate leads and build relationships. And do you know what’s crazy? 80% of quality leads for B2B sales come from LinkedIn.  

With the ability to access decision makers that are not just near you but around the world, LinkedIn has opened up endless opportunities for businesses to grow their reach and maximize their ROI.

In today’s digital world, things are always changing fast. But, having the latest scoop on how to use LinkedIn can give you and your business a major leg up on the competition. Today I’m sharing 8 outdated tips to make sure you’re ahead of the game. Let’s get started!

Outdated Tip #1 Don’t simply use your job title as your LinkedIn headline

I know, I know, you’re a “Marketing Manager” or a “Software Engineer” and you want people to know what you do, but that’s not what your headline is for. Your headline is your chance to make a first impression (think of that as your digital handshake), so make sure it’s catchy, informative, and relevant. 

If you want to know the secret to my successful LinkedIn headline, here is a perfect formula you can use to stand out on the platform 👇🏼

• First, who you’re |
• Niche statement |
• Add relevant keywords (Skills or achievement) |

— that best describe what your brand is about. This will help people find you when they’re searching for solutions.

• Include your unique selling proposition 

—WOW factor’ that sets you apart from the competition. This is your chance to showcase what makes you different and why people should connect with you. This acts as a touch of personality by including a talking point about your brand or yourself.

Don’t be afraid to throw in some facts or statistics that show you know your stuff and you’re data-driven. But remember, less is more. You don’t want to come off as arrogant.

Let me put this into practice for you. This is the headline I use to make the first impression: 

Outdated Tip #2 Don’t fall into the trap of just posting polls. 

Posting polls on LinkedIn won’t guarantee engagement. As much as we’d like it to, the platform’s algorithm is no longer pushing poll posts. Don’t play the LinkedIn polls game trying to gain engagement – it’s become a bit of an old-fashioned strategy.

For real success, invest your energy into creating content that will grab attention — think informative, relevant pieces that truly resonate with your target audience.

Outdated Tip #3  Don’t just send a generic connection invite message

 ‘I’m looking to extend my network’ request – get creative! 

Show that you put some effort into it and check out their profile beforehand. 

Personalizing your connection requests could really pay off in the long run, so start thinking about how to make yours unique. Talk about something specific from what they have shared or anything else where you can share common ground…it will surely blow them away! Here is my proven, personalized connection invite template you can follow:

Let me know how this works for you! 

Also, remember not to send connection requests to just anybody. LinkedIn has tightened the connection requests up to 100 per week. So if you’re looking to network, recognize that LinkedIn is all about quality over quantity. Don’t get stuck in a web of irrelevant contacts – This means that you need to take the time to vet profiles and make sure they have something valuable for you before sending out connection requests.

Outdated Tip #4 Stop talking to buyers like they’re not people.

If you’re networking on LinkedIn, it’s time to realize that the people behind those corporate logos are just as human as any of us. 

Rather than diving headfirst into a sales pitch, take some advice from 88% of decision-makers: build relationships with your buyers first! 

You’ll be seen not only as someone they can trust but also as someone who understands their goals and is there to help them reach success – which will likely lead far beyond one transaction alone.

So, put yourself in the buyer’s shoes, and make sure you’re not just trying to sell to a company, but also connecting with the people behind it.

Outdated Tip #5 Don’t be a wallflower – get out there and mingle on LinkedIn!

You’ve got connections, sure, but you need more than that if you want to make an impact. Why not take a moment to show your appreciation? Give feedback or some words of encouragement; let people know that their hard work isn’t going unnoticed! Interacting with others and establishing strong relationships is the golden ticket – so why not make the most of it? 

Too often we forget how important human interaction can be – so show some love and reap the rewards!

It’s not enough to just have connections, you need to build relationships. Be sure to leave quality comments or give words of encouragement on posts by those in your network. Start up conversations with interesting people; who knows what kind of awesome collaborations can arise from engaging online?

Outdated Tip #6 Don’t be afraid to show some personality in your profile.

While it might feel like a bit much to show your personality in your LinkedIn profile, the truth is you’re avoiding potential connections if you don’t. Your LinkedIn profile is not just a list of your company’s accomplishments and services, it’s also a tool for building relationships and networking

When it comes to LinkedIn, you can’t just be a corporate robot – your profile should show some personality!  Just be sure not to go overboard – keep it professional enough that people will still take you seriously.

Think of every word and image choice as an opportunity to let potential clients know that behind the brand is…a real human being. That said, don’t go too wild on there; make sure all content still shows off how seriously you take business while letting those connections get a glimpse at who’s really driving things forward around here.

Outdated Tip #7 Entrepreneurs — Your LinkedIn profile should never be used as an updated version of your resume

As a business owner, if you want to build a follow-worthy personal brand, it’s important to remember that your LinkedIn profile should not be used as a resume and tell people things they already know. And make it confusing for profile viewers to understand what you do, who is your target audience and how can you help them. Not only is it a missed opportunity to showcase your business and connect with potential clients and partners, but it also sends the wrong message about your brand.

Remember y LinkedIn profile is a valuable tool for building relationships with your potential clients  and establishing yourself as a thought leader in your industry. Don’t waste it by using it in the wrong way.

Outdated Tip #8 Tagging unrelated people in your posts for exposure.

Don’t make it look like you’re fishing for attention by tagging people in your posts who have no business being there! Not only will this devalue your content, but the person might untag themselves or worse – delete you as a connection. Keep things related and interesting; tag those who you have built a deeper connection with or may actually be interested in what’s up with you.

Final Takeaway – 8 Outdated LinkedIn Tips That You Need To Stop Using

LinkedIn is a powerful platform for networking, building relationships, and growing your business. But it’s important to be aware of outdated tips and strategies that could be holding you back. 

By avoiding these common mistakes and focusing on creating a strong personal brand, engaging with your audience, and building relationships with clients you can unlock the full potential of LinkedIn and achieve your business goals. Remember, LinkedIn is not just a platform for job seekers, it’s a platform for business owners and decision-makers. So, make sure you’re using it to its full potential and stay ahead of the game in 2024.

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