LinkedIn isn’t a digital strategy, it is a life insurance

Most of the chatter around LinkedIn centres around its function as a platform for finding and selling to B2B professionals. I know, because that’s what I coach people to do.

However, there’s more to the platform than just filtering leads, connecting with prospects and firing off messages that you hope will convert into a sales meeting.

The more that I look ‘out there’ (gesticulates beyond laptop) I realise that the world is changing – quickly.

No matter how well educated you are, no matter what provisions you have put in place, there are seismic shifts happening that are going to diminish your value in the marketplace and change how your working life will pan out over the next few years.

 

You are going to struggle to find employment soon

Two major trends are occurring as you read this that are going to undermine your ability to find paid work in the future:

• Your job is going to get outsourced
• AI is coming for your job

We live in the world of micro-jobs and the gig economy. Who needs a permanent HR team when hourly marketplaces now exist? Who needs a marketing consultant on retain when you can get an on-demand subject matter expert for a pittance? Platforms such as Fiverr, People Per Hour and Elancer connect employers to impressive (and inexpensive) talent across the developing world – in some cases for no more than £5!

Then, we have the artificial intelligence boom:  A 2013 study by the Oxford Martin School estimated that 47% of US jobs could be susceptible to computerisation over the next two decades. In Australia, the figure has been pitched at 70% of jobs within a decade. A study by the McKinsey Global Institute predicted that, by 2025, robots could jeopardise between 40 million and 75 million jobs worldwide.

In light of the above, how are people preparing for this? In many cases the answer is not at all. Very few professionals are aware of online marketplaces that promise the same work they do but for much cheaper rates, nor are they feeling the rise of AI impact their industry yet. But it will happen.

How you can prevent this happening

My suggestion is that every professional in the world should redouble their efforts on LinkedIn.

In a world where it will be harder to find work and make a living – your network really is your net worth.

• LinkedIn will provide you with a valuable network: There are over 500 million professionals and senior executives on LinkedIn. You can connect directly and message up to 30,000 of them. Imagine how much easier it would be to find work or close a deal if you had a quality network like this to lean on in difficult times!
• LinkedIn will give you a branding advantage: You might not have a website but by just being active on LinkedIn (commenting, engaging and sharing content) you are much more likely to stay front-of-mind with people in your network. And the first person they call when they have an opening or want to buy a service/product you’re selling!
  
• LinkedIn will teach you invaluable sales skills: Every time you inMail someone, every time you make a call-to-action, every time you put out a status update, you’re selling. You’re convincing people to give you their time, their attention and, ultimately, their money. LinkedIn teaches you invaluable sales & social skills that can be used online and transferred to other digital channels and social networks.

The next few years are going to be tough. You need to be out there: positioning yourself as an expert and authority, building a powerful network of advocates, to separate yourself from the millions of others who are going to be in the same sinking boat.

The least you can do is to leverage the power of LinkedIn so that it will be easier for you!

_________

Master LinkedIn – master your future

My name is Jonny Rose and I’m the founder of Win At LinkedIn, a LinkedIn coaching service that trains B2B professionals to find leads, nurture prospects and close deals.

Let’s turn you into a Sales MACHINE, go here.