7 Tips to Demonstrate Your Thought Leadership on LinkedIn

Mercedes Blanco, Chief Partnerships Officer, The Hotels Network, HSMAI Sales Advisory Board Member 

LinkedIn is more than just a platform for networking—it’s a critical tool for career advancement and professional visibility. Leveraging insights from the recent meeting of the HSMAI Sales Advisory Board members, here are seven tips you can use to become a LinkedIn thought leader.  

  1. Identify Optimal Posting Times

Choosing the right time to post on LinkedIn can significantly increase your visibility. Here are some refined tips: 

  • ​​​It’s crucial to be mindful of your audience’s time zone. 
  • 10 AM is best for reaching both EMEA and US audiences. 
  • Tuesday mornings have been identified as effective, as well as late evenings, especially for audiences who travel frequently. 
  • It’s advised to avoid posting on Mondays and Fridays when engagement tends to be lower. 

  1. Drive Engagement Through Content

Understanding what type of content garners the most engagement is key to a successful LinkedIn strategy: 

  • Big news and events related to your industry often see high engagement due to their relevance and timeliness. 
  • ​​​Photos consistently drive more engagement, potentially due to the algorithm prioritizing photo and video over text, in addition to their visual appeal and ease of consumption. 
  • Storytelling and personal insights, especially when tagging others or sharing your thoughts on reshared content, can significantly enhance interaction. 
  • Note that LinkedIn favors content that keeps users on the platform, so uploading videos directly rather than sharing external links tends to perform better. 

  1. Follow Influential Profiles in the Industry

Looking to industry leaders can provide valuable lessons on effective LinkedIn strategies. Noteworthy profiles include: 

  1. Use of Keywords and Hashtags

Effectively using keywords and hashtags can expand your reach and ensure your posts are seen by the right audience: 

  • Focus on industry-specific keywords like hotels, hospitality, ​​or topic related keywords such as training, leadership and recruiting. 
  • Use big brand names and your company’s hashtag to gain broader followings. 
  • It’s important to note that LinkedIn’s AI no longer suggests hashtags based on trends, making it crucial to manually stay updated on relevant tags. 

  1. Be Strategic with Connection Requests

Managing connection requests strategically can help maintain a high-quality network: 

  • Be selective, especially with salespeople who may flood your inbox with pitches. 
  • Personalize your connection requests to foster genuine professional relationships. 

  1. Craft an Effective Profile Headline

Your LinkedIn headline should go beyond just stating your role. It should: 

  • Incorporate keywords that enhance your visibility in searches. 
  • Reflect the professional brand you aim to project, offering a snapshot of your expertise and value. 

  1. Understand LinkedIn Premium Tools

Different types of LinkedIn Premium products, such as Sales Navigator and Recruiter, offer tailored features that can be particularly useful for reaching out to non-connections and detailed targeting. These tools are helpful for sales and HR professionals looking to make impactful connections. 

Read More:  

Questions to Consider:  

  1. In your experience, what gets the most engagement and why?
  2. How do others perceive you on LI? 
  3. What 1-3 profiles on LI from our industry do you admire? Why?
Categories: Sales
Insight Type: