489 - Are you speaking to your target audience?

There is a lot of talk about what and how we should post on LinkedIn.

Do you speak the same way to people on LinkedIn as you do on other social media?

Linkedln is a business website. Other sites are more like social gatherings.

People do business with people they KNOW, LIKE and TRUST.

Even in business, we experience personal moments, and sharing personal content is a way of helping your connections get to know you.

Having conversations is a way to dig deeper and learn what kind of person you connected with. You learn about their values, strategies, and goals. You have the opportunity to learn more about what drives them in business.

It's not as easy to get to know someone online, and it may take a little longer, but millions of people are doing it with great results.

I may get backlash for this, but tight sweaters and low-cut blouses still get people's attention regardless of the content. It's how they speak to their audience. Noticeably more women than men, post selfies.

I often perceive it as examples of imposter syndrome. Are their followers there for the value of the content or the enticing photo?

It all boils down to what your business goal is on LInkedIn.

Why are you here? Who are you trying to connect with? Are you looking for business?

With 700 million people on LinkedIn, we should all keep in mind that people take in data differently. Some people read, others want visual information, and still others like to listen.

Controversial topics don't work well on social media and you could be repelling your best clients. It's best left for face to face meetings, virtually or in person.

There are different ways to speak to, not at, your network and reach many others as well.

There is also the possibility that you are speaking past your audience. Posts that are over burdens with facts and figures could have your target audience scrolling on by.

Speak to your whole network with a variety of posts so they can read, watch and/or listen as they choose. (I'm talking to myself here)

Use all of the tools LinkedIn provides: video, slide share, polls...

Valued content is about educating your network, providing new perspectives, attracting your target audience, and sharing uplifting stories, as a reprise from the business related content.

Speak through your content so it engages people.

Do you speak to, at, or past your target audience?