18 LinkedIn tips for healthcare professionals

THE “DO’S”

1. Personalize each of your connection requests with a short, concise message. The members of your network will appreciate you taking the time to write them personalized messages, and they’ll remember you better.
2. Customize your personal LinkedIn URL by including your name in it.
3. Make your profile 100% complete.
4. Use a professional photo of yourself that accurately reflects who you are and your professionalism.
5. Don’t hesitate to ask key people in your industry for recommendations: they will highlight your skills and the value you bring.
6. Turn off notifications about changes to your profile. They tend to annoy the members of your network.
7. Talk with your network, nurture it and share information it may find useful. You have experience in a specific field: share it.
8. Post relevant information every day related to your area of expertise and the services you offer.
9. Feel free to answer questions from your network that relate to your area of expertise.

THE “DON’TS”

1. Avoid liking posts that have nothing to do with what you bring to your network. Everything you like automatically shows up in your community’s news feed. Even if you like an image, a comment or an article, you don’t necessarily want to be associated with it.
2. Never treat LinkedIn as your 2^nd LinkedIn is a professional social network.
3. Don’t promote yourself in your posts. For example: “If you need a good graphic designer, visit my web page!” Instead, simply say: “I’m pleased to share a few projects we worked on over the past 3 months.”
4. Make constructive comments and avoid passing judgment at all costs.
5. Avoid posting too much on your LinkedIn account; once or twice a day is enough.
6. Don’t show off your lifestyle: your restaurants, your celebrity encounters and your Liberal Party conventions don’t interest your network.
7. If you’re an entrepreneur who loves motivational business quotes, save them for your Facebook.
8. Don’t post articles or photos without text. The members of your community will appreciate it when you add some commentary.
9. Don’t talk about sex, politics, your family, your personal problems, illness, or hobbies unrelated to your professional field.