LinkedIn can be a great tool for business professionals and small business owners, but there have been plenty of mistaken beliefs doing the rounds about how to get the best out of it. To help clear up any confusion about how LinkedIn works, we set the record straight on four common myths.

4 (debunked) LinkedIn myths

LinkedIn should only be used if I’m looking for a new job

LinkedIn is a great tool for job search, but it is so much more than that. It’s also the ideal place to build your brand and if you follow content that is relevant to your industry and engage in discussions with your network, you may well find potential business opportunities coming your way.

LinkedIn is only for messaging people you’re connected to

To leverage the real benefits of LinkedIn you want to build ‘connections’ that have the potential to become valuable business contacts. Always let the person know why it’s worth their while connecting with you and make contact via a personalised invitation or better still, get someone in your network to make the introduction for you. 

LinkedIn only lets me post content about my business and industry

The truth of the matter is that you can post anything that you think is going to add value to your network and potential audience. To build brand credibility it is always a good idea to position yourself as the expert in your field. But try to go one step further by varying the topics of the content you share – whether it’s original content or you’re reposting something you think others will find interesting. Think about what your network wants to hear about and keep them engaged.

LinkedIn lets me access secret features when I reach 500 connections

Sadly, there are no secret features unlocked when you reach the magic number. But LinkedIn does stop displaying the number of connections on your profile after 500 which can have an impact on those who look at your profile. It can inspire trust in you and your brand and shows that you have built up a successful network which (if you’re lucky) can send more opportunities in your direction – and that’s got to be good for business!