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We sat down with Ryan Short, a software and technology sales professional with over a decade of experience. Ryan's journey into the tech world is anything but conventional. Initially pursuing a degree in archaeology, he quickly realised the limited financial prospects. This led him from "digging for gold" to metaphorically "calling for it" in sales.Ryan's career began in cybersecurity, where he first leveraged the power of LinkedIn for marketing and sales promotion. Over the past ten years, LinkedIn has transformed significantly, evolving from a professional platform into a critical tool for business networking and promotion. Following his time in cybersecurity, Ryan transitioned into various roles within SaaS and AI firms, ultimately landing at Planit Testing. Here, he leads the UK sales team, focusing on new business campaigns and leveraging innovative tools like Vulse to drive success.In this interview, Ryan shares insights into his background, the evolution of LinkedIn, and how Planit Testing is making a difference in the realm of software quality assurance. He also discusses the importance of AI in content generation and the future trends that will shape the industry.Tell us about your background and your current role.I’m Ryan Short. I’ve worked in software and technology sales for the past ten years, which has been a bit of an interesting journey. I started off studying archaeology at university and found there was no money in that so I went from digging for gold to calling for it.I started in cybersecurity which was my first entry into using LinkedIn for marketing and sales promotion. Helping to build relationships and back then, ten years ago, LinkedIn was a different beast. It was completely different. It was a new world for a lot of people. And I don’t think many people knew how to use it.From cybersecurity, I changed over into a SaaS product house and then into an AI firm to where I am now, Planit Testing. We specialise in software quality assurance, and I’m leading the sales team in the UK, responsible for developing new business campaigns, and lots of fun stuff, which is why I use Vulse.Tell us about Planit Testing, what the company does, and your role.We’re experts in quality engineering. For the longest time, some of the biggest issues with DevOps, launching any kind of new systems, platforms, or anything technology-wise are defects in the codebase. Over time, these issues can scale which causes performance issues of the applications, ruining customer experiences.A great example is that of Sainsbury’s. Their ordering platform failed recently so orders weren’t going out causing loss of revenue and an unhappy customer base. I’ve heard of other cases, where stock is impossible to get ahold of, or locating where it is for various retailers just because their systems aren’t working.What people think are quite easy, functional things that should work quite often is a lot more of a laborious process. Even when you look at startups, for instance, you need to get your product to market as quickly as possible, but if it’s a bug-ridden mess, that doesn’t work too well. It’s kind of a bit of a dead duck on entry, unfortunately. So you have to sit there as a founder with your head in your hands.We help startups to enterprises on large projects, including AI, data, and quality assurance functioning, from initial consultation to the end of projects. I’m applying my years of experience, to support Planit Testing, in bringing new products to the UK market, building awareness, and elevating sales.How does the company currently utilise LinkedIn, both from a company page perspective and also employees as brand advocates?We utilise LinkedIn through Vulse as a brand awareness platform; promoting covering events, company updates, and our thought leadership pieces around AI, differentiating ourselves in a crowded space with AI-powered tools and AI tools.We also focus on B2B marketing to reach our business customers effectively.It’s an important time, as most businesses are being forced to implement some element of AI, as you may have seen from our recent LinkedIn post, 80% of CIOs are looking to introduce AI into their systems, increasing brand awareness. The problem lies in the data research and assurance to power those processes. LinkedIn is great for us providing valuable assets and guides on these topics through the LinkedIn content platform.Our employees post regularly, acting as brand advocates, sharing their unique journeys and how we’re helping customers, enhancing our brand identity. Especially when we’re helping businesses avoid huge headaches with flawed software systems when they hit the market.We also leverage digital marketing strategies to enhance our online presence. We also utilise email marketing to engage with our audience and share valuable content.How have you seen LinkedIn evolve in terms of personal content sharing?I find LinkedIn interesting. In terms of my role as a sales leader, I have seen it change quite drastically over ten years when users didn’t know what it was or what it did. I’ve found now that real personal human stories resonate, and generate interactions.As I started to develop my content approach, I noticed that the algorithm has changed rapidly and that without a platform like Vulse, it can be a challenge to keep up with the algorithm and understand what posts will reach more users.A lot of creators and “influencers” have been posting and trying to see what sticks for the longest time so it’s nice to have a service like Vulse that understands the latest algorithm updates, and allows brand advocacy in a safe space, whereby, you know, it’s going to do well.Before using Vulse, what were your challenges in terms of utilising LinkedIn?Before using Vulse, what were your challenges in terms of utilising LinkedIn for your marketing efforts?It would be understanding the LinkedIn algorithm, knowing what is going to be preferred in feeds, and if it will be seen by audiences. That’s what I find interesting about content marketing, is that you need to create valuable assets that are shared with audiences, and for it to resonate with them.That was initially difficult to gauge, making sure you’re not just content at a wall. You needed to have a real understanding or knowledgeable insights and that’s where thought leadership took over. Beforehand, it has been the equivalent of working in the dark, whereas now Vulse is the solution that lights up that room.What do you enjoy the most about Vulse? What kind of features do you use?I like to use the Content Theme Planer and Article Summariser as a marketing tool. Solutions that save me time, and put it back in my diary. Some of the topics I like to discuss can be complex, they’re effectively a niche within a niche, so the content I share needs to be bespoke and focused.As soon as I tried these features, I found that the output was incredibly precise, and matched my tone of voice, especially on technical themes. They allow me to add a theme, which then develops a post idea, which is a great starting point for the content creation process. And you know, it’s going to be seen in the feeds of my LinkedIn users.It’s allowed me to launch my personal brand, build thought leadership, and be noticed by potential customers, who are keen to learn more about our services, enhancing both my personal branding and personal brands.What is the future of AI and content generation?I think it’s important to remember there’s IA (Intelligent Automation) and AI (Artificial Intelligence), being able to create content, and understanding how it will perform before I hit post. So as a user, I can take that data and understand that if I tweak certain elements it’s likely to generate more engagement.For LinkedIn in particular, as the algorithm develops, we’ll be able to look at content trends in real-time, for example, a brand may look to post about a celebrity about a partnership, yet that person has in the past few hours negatively impacted their reputation by committing a crime.Tools will be able to analyse that public sentiment, warning content creators that they may wish to change their messaging.I’m looking forward to the advancements in customer sentiment analysis, and the ability to identify content that will add value to potential customers. For example, using intent data to say that specific target audiences are most interested in X and the current post discusses Y, which alerts you to make a change.

Vulse's latest update, version 1.2, is now available, continuing to change the way we create and analyse LinkedIn content.This update introduces several groundbreaking features designed to enhance your LinkedIn strategy, making content creation more efficient and analytics more insightful.What's Included in Vulse 1.2?Live Historical DataGone are the days of manual data aggregation. With the Live Historical Data feature, you can sync previous post data with just one click. This ensures you have up-to-date analytics on both personal profiles and company pages, allowing for a comprehensive view of your LinkedIn performance over time.Post OptimisationStruggling with writer's block? Vulse 1.2 has you covered. Simply add a few words, and our advanced algorithm will instantly create a complete post tailored to your tone of voice. Leveraging post data, this feature ensures your content is not only engaging but also optimised for maximum reach and impact.Sort Top Performing PostsOur upgraded post sorting feature now includes the option to select a specific time frame, making it easier than ever to identify and analyse your top-performing posts. This allows you to replicate successful strategies and continuously refine your content approach.Updated Page AnalyticsUnderstanding your audience's engagement is crucial. Vulse 1.2 now includes detailed analytics such as click count, engagement rates, likes, comments, and impressions. These insights provide a deeper understanding of what resonates with your audience, enabling data-driven decision-making.Why You Should Be Using VulseOfficial LinkedIn API Access Since 2019Vulse has been leveraging the official LinkedIn API since 2019, ensuring secure and reliable access to LinkedIn's data. This official partnership guarantees that your data is handled with the highest standards of security and compliance.Partnerships with Microsoft NVIDIAOur strategic partnerships with industry giants like Microsoft and NVIDIA highlight our commitment to innovation and excellence. These collaborations enable us to integrate cutting-edge technologies into Vulse, enhancing your LinkedIn content creation and analytics experience.100% Focus on LinkedIn Content AnalyticsUnlike other tools that spread their focus across multiple platforms, Vulse is dedicated solely to LinkedIn. This specialised focus allows us to develop features and insights specifically tailored to LinkedIn, providing unparalleled value for users looking to optimise their presence on this platform.Live Data – No Unsecure Chrome ExtensionsWith Vulse, you get live data without the need for potentially insecure Chrome extensions. Our platform provides direct access to real-time analytics, ensuring your data is always current and protected.Post Consistently – Analyse PerformanceConsistency is key to LinkedIn success. Vulse helps you maintain a regular posting schedule and provides detailed performance analysis. This continuous feedback loop allows you to adapt and refine your strategy, ensuring sustained growth and engagement.Vulse 1.2 is more than just an update; it's a revolution in LinkedIn content creation and analysis. With features like Live Historical Data, Post Optimisation, enhanced post sorting, and detailed analytics, Vulse empowers you to take your LinkedIn strategy to the next level.Backed by official LinkedIn API access and partnerships with tech leaders, Vulse is the ultimate tool for anyone serious about LinkedIn.Don't miss out on the opportunity to elevate your LinkedIn game. Try Vulse 1.2 today and experience the future of LinkedIn content creation and analytics.

LinkedIn has expanded its advertising options by introducing LinkedIn newsletters and sponsored newsletter articles, an extension of its sponsored articles feature launched in January.This new tool allows companies to sponsor their newsletters, increasing brand awareness and engagement, and aligning with specific campaign objectives.Currently, only newsletter articles authored by a company and part of an organic company page post can be sponsored.With a 47% rise in newsletter engagement and over 184,000 newsletters published, LinkedIn’s user base shows a strong interest in this content format, supporting engagement campaign objectives.Key Features and BenefitsEnhanced Reach: Sponsored newsletters enable brands to attract more sign-ups and reach a broader audience within their sector.Lead Generation: This tool provides additional ways to gather information for future outreach, making it a valuable lead generation asset.Content Library Integration: Brands can create and manage sponsored newsletters via the “Content Library” in Campaign Manager.Company Page Integration: Only newsletter articles authored by a company and part of an organic company page post can be sponsored.Engagement Campaigns: Sponsored newsletters are available in brand awareness and engagement campaigns.Future Release: LinkedIn plans to allow sponsorship of member-authored newsletter articles in a future release.LinkedIn is rolling out this feature gradually, so if it’s not yet available to you, it will be soon.Learn more about setting up a sponsored newsletter campaign on LinkedIn’s official help pages.By leveraging sponsored newsletters, brands can significantly enhance their marketing strategies, ensuring their content reaches and engages a targeted audience effectively.

Love Vulse? Of course, you do. Love getting paid even more? We understand.We have great news for you. Our affiliate program is now live, offering a fantastic opportunity to earn by promoting Vulse.What is Vulse?Vulse’s LinkedIn Amplification Platform is a game-changer in content creation and marketing strategies, utilising Vulse technology and artificial intelligence to revolutionise LinkedIn content creation. Our proprietary tools drive meaningful engagement and significantly increase brand awareness on the professional network. If you know someone looking to boost their LinkedIn presence, get them signed up through our affiliate program and earn commissions.Why Join the Vulse Digital Marketing Affiliate Program?💸 Earn 35% CommissionFor 12 months on all referrals through our LinkedIn content platform. That’s one of the highest rates in the industry.🗓️ Monthly PayoutsReceive your earnings on the 1st of every month, giving you an extra budget to work with each month.💰 Low $50 Payout ThresholdEven if you're only referring a few people, you'll reach the minimum payout quickly.⚡ Quick Commission ApprovalsCommissions are approved just 30 days after payment, ensuring you get paid promptly for your efforts.How It Works: LinkedIn Amplification ToolsSign Up: Join our affiliate program easily through our website.Share: Promote Vulse using your unique affiliate link. Leverage Vulse’s AI-powered tools to enhance your promotional efforts and increase your referral success rate.Earn: Earn 35% commission on each referral’s subscription for 12 months.Key Benefits of Vulse for Your ReferralsEnhanced LinkedIn Presence: Help your audience create compelling content that stands out with advanced LinkedIn content strategies.Increased Engagement: Drive meaningful interactions with proprietary tools designed for social media content creation.Brand Awareness: Boost visibility on LinkedIn, the top platform for professionals.Start Earning with Vulse TodayJoin our affiliate program and start earning by helping others enhance their LinkedIn presence. With competitive commissions, timely payouts, and a low payout threshold, the Vulse Affiliate Program is designed for your success.Sign up now.

LinkedIn has introduced its new Premium Company Pages, which are part of LinkedIn's broader suite of premium offerings, including LinkedIn Premium Business. The new feature offers a variety of advanced tools and customisation options to boost engagement and provide deeper analytics.Key Features of LinkedIn Premium Business Company PagesThe Premium Company Pages offer several new functionalities:Advanced Analytics: Provides detailed insights to help businesses understand their audience and track engagement.Customised Call-to-Actions: Allows businesses to drive specific actions from their page visitors, such as signing up for newsletters or downloading resources.Enhanced Visual Customisation: Offers more options for visual customisation, including the use of rich media.Access to LinkedIn Learning: Businesses with premium accounts also get access to LinkedIn Learning, which offers a wide range of online courses to enhance their team's skills.LinkedIn Premium Costs and AvailabilityThe new Premium Company Pages are available at a starting cost of $99 per month​ (Benzinga)​. The LinkedIn Premium cost is part of LinkedIn's broader premium pricing structure, which includes various plans such as LinkedIn Premium Career and LinkedIn Premium Business.Impact of LinkedIn Sales Navigator on Business EngagementLinkedIn’s Premium Company Pages aim to provide businesses with more powerful tools for enhancing their presence on the platform. LinkedIn Premium Business users can leverage advanced search filters and InMail capabilities to find high-quality leads, enhancing their business engagement. According to LinkedIn product lead Ora Levit, these new features are designed to help businesses accelerate their growth by leveraging LinkedIn’s extensive professional network.Our AnalysisThe introduction of Premium Company Pages offers significant enhancements for businesses using LinkedIn as a marketing tool. Businesses with a premium account can access advanced analytics and custom CTA buttons, which can potentially increase conversion rates. However, the subscription cost may be a consideration for smaller businesses. For those able to invest, the Premium Company Pages offer substantial potential benefits in engagement and strategic insights.Wrapping Up: Premium SubscriptionsLinkedIn’s Premium Company Pages represent a strategic upgrade designed to enhance business engagement through advanced analytics and customisation options. While the price may be a factor for smaller businesses, the potential benefits make it a compelling option for those looking to maximise their LinkedIn presence. Despite the cost, the value and benefits of LinkedIn Premium make it a worthwhile investment for businesses looking to maximise their LinkedIn presence.

LinkedIn is introducing LinkedIn video advertising along with premium video ad placements and a suite of advanced AI tools, aimed at improving B2B marketing strategies.These new features promise to enhance visibility, engagement, and precision targeting for businesses looking to make a significant impact on the platform.Premium LinkedIn Video Ad Campaign Placements to Boost EngagementLinkedIn has launched premium video ad placements. These placements ensure that video content appears in prime locations within the LinkedIn feed, guaranteeing higher visibility and engagement. This development comes as video continues to dominate digital marketing, proving to be one of the most effective mediums for capturing attention.LinkedIn video ad examples illustrate the effectiveness of these premium placements by using live action, screen share, a casual and simple tone, and strong visual elements, and brand colors to make the message stand out.The strategic placement of these video ads is designed to ensure that advertisers’ messages reach the most relevant and engaged audiences. This enhancement is expected to drive brand awareness and engagement, providing businesses with a more powerful tool to tell their brand story and connect with professionals.Advanced AI Tools for Precision TargetingLinkedIn’s new suite of AI-driven tools represents a significant leap forward in advertising technology on the platform. These tools leverage extensive data analysis to identify user trends, preferences, and behaviours, enabling more precise ad targeting through LinkedIn's Campaign Manager.The AI capabilities allow for the creation of highly personalised ad experiences, aligning content with the specific needs and interests of LinkedIn users. This personalisation is anticipated to enhance user experience and increase conversion rates, as ads are tailored to reach the most relevant target audience.Available AI tools provide continuous insights into ad performance, allowing businesses to refine and optimise their campaigns. This data-driven approach ensures that marketing strategies remain effective and responsive to user engagement patterns.Expanding Influence Across B2B Buying Groups and Target AudienceLinkedIn is also focusing on enhancing influence within B2B buying groups. Recognising the complexity of B2B purchasing decisions, which often involve multiple stakeholders, LinkedIn’s new features aim to streamline and amplify messaging across entire buying groups through effective video ad campaigns.By targeting all key decision-makers within an organisation, LinkedIn enables a more cohesive and impactful marketing approach. This capability is expected to facilitate stronger relationships with potential clients and accelerate the decision-making process.Additionally, tracking video views is crucial for retargeting prospects throughout the lengthy B2B buying process, ensuring that the brand remains top of mind and effectively engages potential customers.Implications for B2B MarketersThese advancements signify LinkedIn’s commitment to providing tools that cater to the evolving needs of B2B marketers. The introduction of premium video ad placements and advanced AI tools offers businesses new avenues to enhance their marketing strategies and achieve greater ROI.As LinkedIn continues to innovate, businesses are encouraged to stay abreast of these developments to fully leverage the platform’s capabilities. The integration of these features into marketing efforts, including the ability to create LinkedIn video ads, promises to drive significant growth and engagement, solidifying LinkedIn’s position as a leading platform for B2B marketing.With these latest offerings, LinkedIn is not only enhancing the user experience but also providing businesses with the tools necessary to navigate the competitive digital marketing landscape effectively.Additionally, driving website visits is crucial for generating leads, viewer engagements, and conversions.

We are delighted to announce our newest feature: Live Personal Analytics.This addition will provide personal profile users with on-demand, insightful analytics to help improve your LinkedIn content performance.Here's what you'll get as part of a Vulse subscription:Instant Access To Your LinkedIn Profile HistoryWith Live Personal Analytics, we will instantly load all your previous posts to the Vulse dashboard. Gone are the days of manually scrolling through your activity feed to find that one post from months ago. Our tool provides a comprehensive overview of your LinkedIn activity, allowing you to revisit and review your past content effortlessly.Analyse Post Performance With LinkedIn AnalyticsUnderstanding which posts resonate with your audience is key to building a successful LinkedIn strategy. Live Personal Analytics enables you to analyse the performance of each post through individual post analytics. By examining metrics such as views, likes, comments, and shares, and understanding the job titles of your viewers, you can gain valuable insights into what type of content works best for your network. This data-driven approach allows you to refine your content strategy, ensuring your posts consistently engage your audience.Identify Your Top Performing Content With Individual Post AnalyticsOne of the standout features of Live Personal Analytics is its ability to provide detailed analytics, identifying your top-performing content. Our tool highlights which posts have attracted the most attention, helping you understand what makes them successful. Follower analytics offer in-depth insights into the demographics and behaviour of your followers, including metrics such as new followers, geographic breakdown, and follower demographics. By recognising patterns in your high-performing content, you can replicate their success in future posts, maximising your reach and impact on LinkedIn.Effortlessly Reply to CommentsEngagement is a two-way street. Engaging with LinkedIn members can enhance professional relationships and visibility. Live Personal Analytics not only tracks how your content performs but also makes it easier for you to engage with your audience. With a streamlined interface, you can quickly reply to comments, fostering meaningful conversations and building stronger relationships with your connections. Timely responses show that you value your audience’s input, enhancing your professional image on LinkedIn.Why Live Personal Analytics With Follower Demographics Is A Game ChangerLive Personal Analytics is more than just a tool; it’s a comprehensive solution designed to elevate your LinkedIn experience. By providing instant access to your post history, detailed performance analysis, and easy comment management, it empowers you to make data-driven decisions and engage more effectively with your network.Enabling LinkedIn creator mode helps users grow their reach and influence by offering analytics for individual posts, combined posts, audience insights, and profile visibility. Profile analytics provide insights into content performance and audience demographics, helping you track subscriber count, click-through rate, and professional opportunities.Whether you are a job seeker, a business owner, or a thought leader, leveraging Live Personal Analytics will give you a competitive edge.Stay ahead of the curve by understanding what works best for you and your audience on LinkedIn.Get Started TodayReady to transform your LinkedIn experience?It's easy to integrate Live Personal Analytics with your existing LinkedIn account, simply get started with a free trial.

HubSpot’s article, B2B Marketing: The Ultimate Guide, is here to help any business refine its business-to-business marketing strategies and stay ahead of the competition.Written by: Rachael NicholsonThe guide starts by breaking down the key differences between B2B and business-to-consumer (B2C) marketing. B2B marketing usually involves longer sales cycles, multiple decision-makers, and a strong focus on building relationships. Understanding these differences sets a solid foundation for the strategies discussed in the article. Understanding the specific target audience in B2B marketing is crucial for crafting effective strategies.One of the highlights of the guide is its emphasis on content marketing. HubSpot explains why creating high-quality, informative content that addresses your audience’s needs and pain points is crucial. By establishing yourself as an industry thought leader, you can build trust and credibility with potential clients.SEO (search engine optimisation) is another topic covered. The article walks you through effective SEO strategies, from thorough keyword research to optimising on-page elements and building a strong backlink profile. Mastering SEO helps ensure that your content is easily found by the right audience, increasing your online visibility and attracting more qualified leads.The guide also sheds light on the power of social media in B2B marketing. Platforms like LinkedIn, X, and even Facebook are not just for B2C companies. These platforms offer valuable opportunities to engage with your audience, share industry insights, and drive traffic to your website.Email marketing gets its own spotlight too. HubSpot outlines how personalised email campaigns can nurture leads through the sales funnel. By delivering targeted content and offers, you can keep prospects engaged and move them closer to making a purchase.HubSpot also emphasises the importance of leveraging data and analytics to measure the effectiveness of your marketing efforts. By tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and analyzing data, you can make informed decisions and continuously optimise your strategies for better results.The guide highlights the need for aligning your marketing and sales teams. When these departments work together seamlessly, they create a smooth experience for potential customers, ensuring that marketing efforts translate into tangible sales outcomes.HubSpot’s guide is a must-read for anyone involved in B2B marketing. It’s packed with actionable insights and proven strategies to help you attract, engage, and convert more leads. To dive deeper into these essential B2B marketing tactics, check out HubSpot’s B2B Marketing Guide.By following the advice and strategies in this guide, you can boost your marketing efforts, build stronger relationships with clients, and achieve greater success in the competitive B2B landscape.

LinkedIn has released new data showcasing how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in digital marketing strategies.This report highlights the growing significance of AI marketing tools in enhancing marketing efforts, providing businesses with a competitive edge.An AI marketing tool is crucial in automating decision-making processes, data analysis, and content generation. Key findings suggest that AI is increasingly employed to personalise customer interactions, optimise campaigns, and analyse customer behaviour and data more effectively. AI systems also help marketers personalise experiences across each customer journey stage.The infographic also shows the future potential of AI, predicting broader adoption and more innovative applications in the marketing sector. It highlights the importance of AI-powered data analysis and predictive analytics in driving marketing success. Machine learning is also pivotal in improving SEO performance and predicting consumer behaviour.LinkedIn’s blog elaborates on the maturation of AI marketing skills. It emphasises that as AI technologies evolve, marketers need to develop and refine their skills to harness AI’s full potential. The report outlines various stages of AI adoption, from initial experimentation to full integration, and highlights the importance of continuous learning and adaptation. Marketing automation and AI-enhanced marketing campaigns are becoming essential for modern marketing strategies. AI supports marketing teams in various tasks, such as scaling operations, gaining intelligent tools for customer insight, and improving marketing efficiency.Integrating AI in marketing is not just about implementing new marketing tools but also about transforming how marketers think and operate. Natural language processing (NLP) also transforms customer interactions by automating customer service and creating tailored content. Companies that invest in upskilling their teams will likely see significant benefits, including improved efficiency, better customer insights, and more effective marketing strategies.According to LinkedIn’s 2024 Global Marketing Jobs Outlook report, generative AI tools like ChatGPT are now integral to the work of most marketers, enhancing productivity and efficiency across various tasks. LinkedIn’s internal data shows that more marketing leaders are adding AI skills to their profiles, indicating a significant shift towards AI literacy in marketing.Specifically, prompt engineering, generative art, and tools like Midjourney and DALL-E have become popular among marketers.Generative AI is transforming how marketers generate content, with 58% of B2B marketers planning to use AI to produce more content in less time and 55% aiming to increase efficiency to focus on higher-value work.51% of marketers leverage AI to create optimised and engaging content that resonates with their target audience. The ability to build more creative campaigns and gain a competitive advantage are also key drivers for AI adoption in marketing.A notable trend is that 71% of marketing leaders prefer hiring candidates with AI literacy over more experienced individuals lacking these skills. This shift highlights the growing importance of AI competencies in the marketing industry.In conclusion, as AI matures, marketers must invest in learning and adapting to these technologies to stay competitive. For a comprehensive understanding of these insights and the detailed stages of AI skill development in marketing, you can read more on LinkedIn’s business blog here.

LinkedIn has made a significant enhancement to its direct messaging (DM) capabilities, introducing a new feature that allows users to reply to specific messages within a chat stream on the mobile app.This update, previously available only on desktop, is designed to improve user interaction and streamline conversations, ensuring clarity and better engagement.Why the LinkedIn DM feature mattersWith the new ability to reply to specific messages within a chat on LinkedIn’s mobile app, users can now maintain the context of their conversations more easily, leading to potential business opportunities by engaging directly with brands and organisations.This feature is particularly useful for professionals who rely on LinkedIn for networking, collaboration, and job searching. The new feature facilitates real-time conversations and personalised solutions, improving customer engagement on LinkedIn. By allowing replies to be directly linked to individual messages, users can avoid confusion and ensure their responses are accurately understood.How to use the new reply feature in LinkedIn messagesUsing the new reply feature on LinkedIn’s mobile app is straightforward and enhances the organisation and clarity of LinkedIn messages:Open the LinkedIn Mobile App: Ensure you have the latest version of the app installed on your device.Navigate to Your DMs: Go to your messaging inbox and open a chat stream.Select the Specific Message: Long-press on the message you want to reply to.Tap on “Reply”: A reply option will appear. Tap it, and your response will be directly linked to that specific message.Type and Send Your Reply: Compose your reply and send it. Your response will be displayed in-stream beneath the original message, maintaining the context of the conversation, thereby improving the direct message experience on LinkedIn.Benefits of the new reply featureEnhanced Clarity and ContextBy allowing replies to specific messages, LinkedIn's new DM feature enhances direct communication by ensuring that the context of each response is clear. This feature also enables users to engage in direct conversations, maintaining clarity and context. This is especially beneficial in longer conversations where multiple topics might be discussed simultaneously.Improved User ExperienceThe new feature makes the LinkedIn DMs experience more intuitive and user-friendly. By mirroring the functionality available on desktop, LinkedIn provides a consistent experience across devices, enhancing the LinkedIn message experience overall.Facilitating Better Networking and Customer EngagementEffective communication is at the heart of successful networking. This new feature helps users maintain clear and organised conversations, which is essential for lead generation by allowing potential clients to reach out directly. It aids in targeting the right audience for personalised conversations, ensuring that your outreach is relevant and efficient. This is crucial for building and nurturing professional relationships on LinkedIn.LinkedIn’s Commitment to Improving Direct MessagingLinkedIn has been continuously working to enhance its company page messaging capabilities. This update aligns with LinkedIn's broader trend of improving digital communication tools, including company page messaging, to meet the evolving needs of users.By making it easier to interact and connect, LinkedIn is reinforcing its position as the go-to platform for professional networking. The new feature enhances communication and engagement on LinkedIn's company pages, facilitating direct interactions and building stronger professional relationships.What To Take AwayThe new reply-to-specific-messages feature on LinkedIn’s mobile app is a small but significant improvement that can greatly enhance the way users communicate on the platform. By ensuring clarity and context in conversations, this update helps professionals stay connected and engaged. Make sure to update your LinkedIn mobile app and take advantage of this new feature.Using LinkedIn automation tools responsibly can further enhance the effectiveness of LinkedIn's new messaging feature. These tools can help personalise messages, target diverse audiences, and save time while ensuring ethical practices to avoid spammy behaviour.Stay tuned for more updates and enhancements as LinkedIn continues to evolve and improve its platform to meet the needs of its growing user base.Additional ResourcesLinkedIn Help CenterDownload LinkedIn Mobile AppLinkedIn Blog

In partnership with industry-leading software development training and solutions provider, Northcoders.LinkedIn is an essential tool for job seekers, and standing out to potential employers is crucial in the current job market, especially during and after Northcoders Bootcamps.We’ve teamed up to provide unique strategies for students to make a strong impression:1. Create a Professional LinkedIn ProfileEnsure your LinkedIn profile is complete and professional. Use a high-quality profile picture, a compelling headline, and a detailed summary highlighting your skills, experiences, and career aspirations.Profile Picture: Choose a clear, professional headshot. It's crucial to have a professional profile photo where you are alone, dressed professionally, and facing forward. This can significantly increase your profile views.Headline: Make it specific to your role and skills, e.g., “Aspiring Software Developer | Python, JavaScript Enthusiast”.Summary: Highlight your passion for coding, key projects, and what you bring to potential employers. Incorporate relevant keywords throughout your summary to make your profile more searchable by employers.2. Showcase Your ProjectsList all relevant projects in your experience section. Include descriptions of the technologies used, your role in the project, and the outcomes.Linking to GitHub repositories or live demos can provide tangible proof of your skills.Project Details: Explain what the project aimed to solve, your contributions, and how it showcases your abilities to potential future employers.Technologies Used: Mention all programming languages, tools, and frameworks. Incorporating your job title as a keyword here can enhance your visibility to recruiters.Outcomes: Quantify the results, e.g., “Improved system performance by 20%”.3. Highlight Relevant SkillsMake sure to list technical skills such as programming languages, frameworks, and tools.Endorsements from colleagues or mentors can enhance credibility.Technical Skills: List them in order of proficiency.Endorsements: Reach out to peers, mentors, and LinkedIn connections for skill endorsements to add credibility.4. Ask For RecommendationsRequest recommendations from instructors, peers, or previous employers.These endorsements can add significant weight to your profile, providing social proof of your abilities.Personalised Requests: When asking for recommendations, be specific about what aspects of your work you’d like them to highlight.Varied Perspectives: Aim for recommendations that cover different aspects of your skills and character. Including diverse testimonials can also make your profile more appealing to possible future employers by showcasing a well-rounded view of your professional capabilities.5. Engage with Content in LinkedIn GroupsRegularly post updates about your learning journey, share interesting articles, and participate in discussions. This activity demonstrates your enthusiasm for the field and helps to build your professional network.Content Sharing: Share articles, tutorials, or insights relevant to software development.Engagement: Comment on posts by industry leaders and participate in group discussions.6. Network Strategically for Job OpportunitiesConnect with industry professionals, join relevant groups, and attend virtual events. Networking can lead to job opportunities and valuable industry insights.Connections: Send personalised connection requests explaining why you want to connect. Engaging in job searching on LinkedIn through building a strong network can significantly increase your visibility to potential employers.Groups: Join LinkedIn groups related to software development and actively participate. Subscribing to job alerts within these groups can keep you informed about the latest job opportunities.7. Customise Your LinkedIn URLCreate a custom LinkedIn URL to make your profile easier to find and share. This small detail can make a big difference in your personal branding.Custom URL: Use your name or a combination of your name and profession, e.g., “linkedin.com/in/janesmith-python-developer”.8. Leverage LinkedIn LearningTake advantage of LinkedIn Learning to complete courses and earn certificates in relevant areas. Displaying these certificates on your profile showcases your commitment to continuous learning.Course Selection: Choose courses that are highly relevant to your desired job role.Showcase Certificates: Add these to your LinkedIn profile under the “Licenses Certifications” section.By following these strategies, you can significantly enhance your visibility and attractiveness to potential employers on LinkedIn.For more information on kickstarting your career in software development, visit Northcoders.

If you want to improve your LinkedIn marketing to achieve greater business impact, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we'll provide actionable tactics that will refine your LinkedIn strategy. You’ll gain insights into effectively optimising your profile, engaging an audience tailored to your brand, and leveraging LinkedIn’s unique features for lead generation.Key TakeawaysA LinkedIn marketing strategy requires a solid foundation including clear objectives that align with broader business goals, identification of target audiences, and a content roadmap for consistent and targeted messaging.Optimising a LinkedIn presence involves enhancing both company and personal profiles, leveraging LinkedIn groups for networking, and utilising LinkedIn ads effectively for lead generation and to increase brand awareness.Successful LinkedIn marketing is measured through engagement, reach, lead generation performance, and competitor benchmarking, facilitated by LinkedIn’s analytics tools, with strategies continually refined based on these insights.Crafting Your LinkedIn Marketing BlueprintA successful LinkedIn marketing strategy can be compared to a well-constructed building. It starts with a solid foundation of clearly defined objectives, which act as the guiding force for all subsequent efforts. These objectives could range from attracting top talent and generating new leads to boosting website traffic.Creating these objectives isn’t a task to be done in isolation. Businesses should align their LinkedIn strategy objectives with broader social media goals for a cohesive marketing approach.A LinkedIn marketing strategy acts as a roadmap for your LinkedIn marketing efforts. This strategy should encompass identifying your target audience, establishing social media goals, optimising your company page, posting and promoting content, and measuring success through metrics.A building is only as strong as the materials used to construct it. Similarly, the content you share on LinkedIn should be relevant to your target audience to ensure engagement and reach, focusing on consistent themes or content pillars. Using relevant hashtags can differentiate your content and enhance its visibility.Defining Your Marketing Objectives on LinkedInThe key to any successful LinkedIn marketing strategy is having clear, well-defined marketing objectives. Think of these objectives as the destination you’re aiming to reach with your LinkedIn marketing journey. Without a clear destination in mind, you might find yourself wandering, unsure of which path to take or which strategies to implement.These objectives are the compass that guides your content and messaging on LinkedIn, ensuring they resonate with your target audience. Whether you’re aiming to increase brand awareness, drive website traffic, or generate leads, having well-defined objectives will ensure your LinkedIn strategy is aligned with your overall business goals.Identifying and Understanding Your Target AudienceYou need to know your target audience on LinkedIn. LinkedIn users tend to be older and have a higher income than users on other social media platforms, making it a rich source of potential customers for businesses.To identify your target audience on LinkedIn, start by examining the profiles of your current customers. Look for common characteristics such as industry, job title, and geographical location. Joining LinkedIn groups related to your industry can also provide valuable insights into your target audience’s needs and preferences.By understanding your target audience, you can tailor your content and engagement strategies, ensuring your LinkedIn marketing efforts are directed at the right people.Developing a Content RoadmapIt's never been more important to plan your LinkedIn content. This ensures that your LinkedIn marketing efforts stay on track and maintain consistency. A content calendar can be an invaluable tool in this endeavour, acting as a visual representation of your planned content, the dates it will be posted, and the channels it will be shared on.Apart from helping you maintain consistency, planning your content also allows you to develop a focus for your LinkedIn marketing strategy. Here, content pillars come into play. These are themes or topics that you consistently focus on in your content. By establishing content pillars, you can ensure that your LinkedIn marketing strategy maintains a clear focus and direction.Optimising Your LinkedIn Presence for Maximum ImpactBuilding a striking presence is not only about using the best materials but also about optimising the design to create maximum impact. Enhancing your LinkedIn presence entails not only creating engaging content but also optimising your personal profile and company page, including the use of LinkedIn Showcase Pages to make your company page more inviting and engaging.Your LinkedIn profile is like the front of a building. It’s the first thing people see, and it’s what makes a lasting impression. Therefore, it’s crucial to make it as attractive and compelling as possible. Here are some tips to make your LinkedIn profile effective:Include a concise description of your primary skills or achievements in your headline.Show some of your personality to make your profile more engaging.Add media to the ‘Featured’ section of your profile to highlight your best work or key accomplishments prominently.To boost engagement and connections on your company page, consider integrating the LinkedIn Company Follow button on your website and other digital platforms. This simple addition can significantly increase your visibility and encourage more LinkedIn users to follow your company page.Your LinkedIn profile should have easily identifiable names, headlines, and other simple identifiers to ensure recognition. Share personal stories, success stories, and personal development narratives to make your brand more relatable and engaging.Enhancing Your Company PageYour company page on LinkedIn is the lobby of a building. It’s where your visitors get their first impression of your business. It’s crucial to make it as inviting and informative as possible. One way to do this is by using LinkedIn Showcase Pages. These are niche pages that branch off your main LinkedIn page, allowing you to feature specific content or highlight certain aspects of your company.Another way to enhance your company page is by adding the LinkedIn Company Follow button to your website.This simple yet effective tool can significantly boost your page’s engagement and connections by promoting its LinkedIn presence. By utilising these features, you can ensure that your company page effectively showcases your business and attracts more attention and engagement.Polishing Your Personal ProfileEach section of your LinkedIn profile needs to be polished and effective. Start by updating the background photo on your profile. By implementing this simple step, you can distinguish your profile and tailor it to your career or interests. This will make it more personal and relevant.Next, focus on your ‘About’ section. This is where you tell your personal professional story and showcase your uniqueness in your field.Be sure to include your objectives or freelance business leads to make an impact and clarify your intentions.Personalising your LinkedIn profile not only helps your character shine through but also builds trust and increases engagement with your content.Engaging Content: The Heart of LinkedIn SuccessCreating engaging content on LinkedIn is like designing the interior of a building. It needs to be attractive, functional, and tailored to the needs and preferences of the users. By creating a variety of content types, such as:Text postsImagesDocumentsVideosLive videosPollsStoriesEventsYou can cater to different audience preferences and enhance engagement.Share stories about your customers, employees, and company to foster relatability and showcase your company culture.Remember to address your audience’s needs and pain points in your content. When you do this, you can provide answers to their questions and share valuable insights that could help shape their strategies.Creating engaging content is not enough. You also need to boost its visibility. Here, hashtags and @mentions can be your allies. By utilising trending hashtags, you can tap into popular topics and connect with your target audience. Leveraging @mentions can also boost engagement and brand awareness by involving other users and potentially their networksContent Diversity: Mixing It UpYou should diversify your content on LinkedIn. This can involve repurposing existing content into various formats, such as turning blog posts into videos or infographics. Diversifying content is not only about catering to different audience preferences but also about maintaining a consistent posting schedule.Video content, in particular, is a powerful tool for grabbing attention and providing an engaging visual experience. Whether you’re sharing a tutorial, a behind-the-scenes look at your business, or a customer testimonial, videos can help you connect with your audience on a deeper level.Timing Is Everything: When to PostThe timing of your LinkedIn posts can significantly impact their success. Maintaining a consistent posting schedule keeps your brand visible and top of mind among your audience. LinkedIn recommends sharing content once or twice a day, or at least once a week, to maintain consistency.It’s not just about how often you post, but also when you post. Avoid posting on slower-response days, such as Fridays and Saturdays.Amplifying Reach with Sponsored ContentUse sponsored content on LinkedIn to amplify the reach of your content. Sponsored content allows you to promote your company’s content directly in users’ feeds, reaching a highly engaged audience.Whether you’re promoting a blog post, an eBook, or a webinar, sponsored content can help you reach a wider audience and generate more leads. But remember, the key to successful sponsored content is to ensure that it provides value to your audience. This can be achieved by offering insights, providing solutions to common challenges, or sharing industry trends.Leveraging LinkedIn Groups for Strategic NetworkingLinkedIn groups are like the community spaces in a building, where people gather to connect, share ideas, and build relationships. By joining and managing LinkedIn groups, you can foster relationships, build credibility, and establish thought leadership within your industry.Leverage LinkedIn groups to facilitate networking and collaboration. Whether you’re joining industry-related groups or creating your group, LinkedIn groups can provide valuable insights, networking opportunities, and a platform to showcase your expertise.But networking on LinkedIn isn’t confined to groups. LinkedIn also offers tools for personal networking. Personalised direct messages, endorsements, and follow-ups with new connections can all help to strengthen and expand your LinkedIn network.Finding and Joining Relevant GroupsYou need to join LinkedIn groups that align with your professional interests. Finding relevant groups can be accomplished by checking curated highlights, searching with keywords, and looking for groups that show regular activity.Once you’ve found potential groups, here are some steps to follow to fully benefit from your membership:Request to join the group.Engage in group discussions by commenting on posts and sharing your expertise.Share relevant content with the group.Connect with other members of the group. By following these steps, you can become an active, contributing member of a LinkedIn group.Establishing Your Own LinkedIn GroupCreate a LinkedIn group that reflects your brand identity. Establishing yourself as a thought leader and growing a community are some benefits of managing a LinkedIn group. It also provides a platform for generating content ideas, promoting brand awareness, and potentially generating leads.As the group manager, you have the discretion to approve membership and ensure that applicants meet the group’s criteria. By creating a group that aligns with your brand and industry, you can attract like-minded professionals and foster a community that supports your business goals.Networking Beyond GroupsMake sure to leverage LinkedIn to build both broad networks and personal connections. Direct messages on LinkedIn are crucial for strengthening existing networks and expanding connections through private, personalised interactions.Personalised connection requests, endorsements, and follow-ups with new connections are all effective networking strategies on LinkedIn. By being thoughtful and providing value in your interactions, you can establish a positive professional brand and build meaningful relationships on LinkedIn.Mastering LinkedIn Ads for Lead GenerationYou can use LinkedIn ads, including dynamic ads and Lead Gen Forms, to attract potential customers to your business. LinkedIn offers various types of ads, such as text ads, message ads, and video ads, for different marketing goals.LinkedIn’s Lead Gen Forms provide a seamless way to collect leads, with pre-filled forms ensuring higher completion rates and quality leads. By targeting your LinkedIn Ads based on specific targeting criteria, such as:Job titlesJob functionsIndustriesCompany sizeYou can customise your campaigns to reach the most relevant audience.Crafting Compelling Text AdsAs architects use compelling visuals and text to attract attention to their billboards, you need to create compelling text ads on LinkedIn. Text ads are a simple yet effective way to promote your business on LinkedIn, allowing you to reach a broad audience with a clear and concise message.Crafting compelling text ads involves creating an engaging headline, a compelling description, and a clear call to action. Just like an architect uses a blueprint to guide their design, you should use your marketing objectives to guide the creation of your text ads. By focusing on your target audience’s needs and preferences, you can create text ads that resonate with them and drive them to take action.Creating Conversations with Message AdsEnsure that you create message ads that facilitate conversation with your audience. LinkedIn messaging allows direct engagement with users through message ads, sending personalised messages directly to their inboxes, encouraging them to take action.Personalised message ads on LinkedIn result in 15% more responses compared to non-personalised bulk messages. By mentioning a specific detail in your message ads, you can show a genuine interest in your audience and stand out from other businesses. Integrating Lead Generation forms into your Message Ads can also boost conversion rates, showcasing the effectiveness of this feature for lead capture.Maximising Impact with Video AdsYou need to use video ads on LinkedIn to create a lasting impression on your audience. Video ads can appear natively in users’ messaging and feeds, providing an engaging visual experience.By targeting your video ads to the right audience and providing valuable and compelling content, you can engage viewers effectively. Whether you’re promoting a product, sharing a customer success story, or providing valuable insights, video ads can help you leave a lasting impression on viewers, enhancing brand recognition and conversion opportunities.Measuring Success with LinkedIn AnalyticsLike blueprints and models to measure the success of their designs, you need to use LinkedIn analytics to measure the success of your LinkedIn marketing efforts. LinkedIn provides in-depth analytics, including metrics such as:ReactionsCommentsImpressionsRepostsUnique visitorsContent impressionsFollower growthUnderstanding what content achieves higher engagement through analytics assists in tailoring future content strategy to focus on preferred content types, styles, and messaging, enhancing the resonance with the intended audience. Evaluating historical data by selecting a custom date range provides insights that guide long-term strategic improvement to your marketing efforts on LinkedIn.Tracking Engagement and ReachIt's important to track the engagement and reach of your LinkedIn content. LinkedIn’s post analytics provide insights on metrics such as:DiscoveryEngagementsDemographics of unique viewersImpressionsOverall post-performance analyticsYou can also gain detailed information about your followers, including the industries they work in, their job titles, and their geographic locations. By analysing analytics data related to LinkedIn hashtags, you can understand how posts with specific hashtags perform and build a list of top-performing hashtags.Analysing Lead Generation PerformanceAssess the success of your LinkedIn marketing efforts by the quality of leads generated. Analysing conversion rates is crucial for understanding lead quality and the effectiveness of marketing initiatives.Conversion rates can inform marketers which LinkedIn features like InMail or Sponsored Content yield more leads when compared with organic content. By tracking conversion metrics, you can measure the success of different campaign tactics and content types, leading to data-driven strategy adjustments.Benchmarking Against CompetitorsBenchmark your LinkedIn marketing performance against your competitors. LinkedIn provides competitive insights that allow you to see how you stack up against similar companies in terms of performance on key metrics.Insights such as competitive rank, audience demographics, and content preferences can be gleaned from analytics to understand your competitor’s strategy. Strategic adjustments based on analytics might include refining your content strategy, post timing, or investment in sponsored content to improve your competitive positioning.Elevating Brand Awareness Through Live EventsUse LinkedIn Live Events to elevate your brand awareness, which can be streamed using third-party broadcasting tools to showcase your expertise, launch products, or host QA sessions.Connecting Live with Your AudiencelinkedIn Live events can be used to connect with your audience in real time. LinkedIn Live events can be streamed using third-party broadcasting tools to showcase your expertise, launch products, or host QA sessions.LinkedIn recommends the following tips for planning and hosting a successful LinkedIn Live event:Plan for the event at least 2-4 weeks in advance.Select an appropriate streaming duration to maximise audience engagement.Feature interactive content such as webinars and product demos to drive more results.By following these tips, you can create a successful LinkedIn Live event that engages your audience and drives results.Curating a Seamless User ExperienceThe best marketers ensure that every element of their design creates a seamless user experience, you need to ensure that every aspect of your LinkedIn marketing strategy creates a seamless user experience. Creating a cohesive user experience on LinkedIn ensures that each interaction with your brand is professional and consistent.Consistency in content marketing helps in building trust with your audience, making the brand a familiar and reliable choice. Incorporating a LinkedIn Lead Gen Form into your strategy simplifies the process of capturing leads. Upon submitting this form, users are presented with a ‘thank you’ page that directs them to the advertiser’s chosen content or website, enhancing the post-conversion experience.Consistency Across All ContentStart by looking at the consistency in your LinkedIn content. Consistency in content marketing helps in building trust with your audience, making the brand a familiar and reliable choice. Displaying company values and mission on social media underlines the organisations commitment, and contributes to a consistent brand identity.Developing a style guide ensures consistency across all marketing materials. This includes the proper use of:LogosColorsFontsVoiceWriting styleImageryBy maintaining consistency in your content, you can ensure that your brand stands out and leaves a lasting impression on your audience.Streamlining the Path to ConversionUpon submitting a LinkedIn Lead Gen Form, users are presented with a ‘thank you’ page that directs them to the advertiser’s chosen content or website, enhancing the post-conversion experience.This seamless transition from engagement to conversion ensures that your audience doesn’t lose interest or get confused along the way. By streamlining the path to conversion, you can increase your conversion rates and maximise the return on your LinkedIn marketing efforts.In conclusion, LinkedIn offers a wealth of opportunities for businesses to connect with a professional audience, build brand awareness, generate leads, and grow their business. By crafting a comprehensive marketing strategy, optimising your LinkedIn presence, creating engaging content, leveraging LinkedIn groups, mastering LinkedIn ads, using LinkedIn analytics, elevating brand awareness through LinkedIn Stories and Live Events, and curating a seamless user experience, you can leverage the full potential of LinkedIn for your business. As with a well-designed building, a well-executed LinkedIn marketing strategy can leave a lasting impression, attract an engaged audience, and deliver tangible business results.Frequently Asked QuestionsHow can I define clear marketing objectives for my LinkedIn strategy?To define clear marketing objectives for your LinkedIn strategy, start by understanding your overall business goals and then translate them into specific, measurable objectives. For example, if the business goal is to increase brand awareness, the LinkedIn objective could be to increase the number of followers by 20% in the next quarter.How can I identify and understand my target audience on LinkedIn?To identify and understand your target audience on LinkedIn, examine the profiles of your current customers for common characteristics and join industry-related LinkedIn groups for insights. This will help you gain a better understanding of their needs and preferences.What types of content should I share on LinkedIn?You should share a variety of content on LinkedIn, including text posts, images, documents, videos, live videos, polls, stories, and events, while ensuring relevance to your target audience and using hashtags and mentions for visibility. This will help you engage your audience effectively and build your professional presence on the platform.How can I use LinkedIn groups for networking?To use LinkedIn groups for networking, join groups related to your professional interests and engage in discussions. Consider creating your group to showcase your expertise and build a community, and don't forget to connect with new contacts through personalised messages and follow-ups.How can I measure the success of my LinkedIn marketing efforts?You can measure the success of your LinkedIn marketing efforts by utilising LinkedIn's analytics to track metrics such as reactions, comments, impressions, reposts, unique visitors, content impressions, follower growth, and conversion rates to assess lead quality and marketing effectiveness.