**Guest post written by Cyber PR, originally featured on the Cyber PR Blog.

 

"If you read my blog regularly, you know I have been focusing a lot lately on Micro-Networking and my theory that execution is critical if you want to cause a tangible shift in your career as an artist.

This leads me to a social site you may not have considered for your music career: LinkedIn. You probably already use it for your day job, freelance work, or other non-music activities. LinkedIn is a gold mine when it comes to networking, especially within industries.

But if you’re new to LinkedIn, how can you set yourself up and optimize for networking there?

Set Up Your Fully-Optimized Profile

This initial stage will take an hour or so of your time, but I promise it’s worth it. First, set up your profile with all the necessities, including adding a professional photo. Studies show that your profile is 11 times more likely to be viewed when it includes a photo, so add an up-to-date professional photo.
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Build Your 500+ Connections

It sounds like a lot I know, but you’ll be there in no time! LinkedIn will suggest a lot of initial connections for you, and from there, take some time to look at the suggestions they offer based on who you know, as well as your emails and social media to find even more connections. LinkedIn is a great way to show off elements about yourself that you can’t get across on other socials such as work history, awards and honors, charity affiliations, board member positions, and past and present affiliations. Plus, the more connections you have, the more suggestions you’ll get and the higher your chance of making valuable connections.

Create Personalized Invites

A quick note for when you’re building those 500+ connections—don’t take the lazy way out and go with the stock “I’d like to add you to my network on LinkedIn” note. Take the time to say something meaningful, compliment them or remind them of a time spent together or a mutual colleague. If you don’t know them but are still looking to connect for the first time, take a moment to scan their profile and find a common interest or other way to connect and compliment them.
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Use LinkedIn to Find New Connections

LinkedIn’s search engine is there for a reason. You can find specific people you’re looking for or target specific industries, interests, and so on. This means you can search, say, festival organizers or radio personalities or label A&R, and you can get creative in finding local influencers or potential backers for your project. The search function can help you not only find people for your followers, but also individuals who might help you build your career.

Never send the “Stock” LinkedIn invite. Most people take the lazy way out and send the pre-canned “I’d like to add you to my network on LinkedIn” note. Take the time to say something meaningful, compliment them or remind them of a time spent together or a mutual colleague.

Join Relevant Groups

Think of these like Facebook Groups. They’re based around different interests or topics. Just as with Facebook, there are plenty filled with spam, so take some time to make sure you’re joining active ones in all the right ways. Then, once you’re in there, make sure you participate in discussions, pose and answer questions, welcome new members, help members by introducing them to your connections, post great resources pertinent to the group, and so on. You have to be an active group member for others to respond to you.

Another great thing about groups is that when you share content on your profile, oftentimes, LinkedIn will also invite you to share to specific groups, increasing your reach

Here are a few to check out

Music & Entertainment Professionals – 181K members

Music Industry Network – 133K members

Music Industry Forum – 128K members

Music & Marketing – 100K members

MusicBiz – 92K+ members"


Read the rest of the Musician's Guide to LinkedIn on the Cyber PR blog HERE.

 

 

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