by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28
What if you could join a site that allows you to show editors and agents what you’re made of? That lets you connect with other writers and learn about their journeys or ministries? What if there was a nondescript way in which you could share the publications you’ve been in and the awards you’ve won?
Such a site exists, and it’s called LinkedIn. It has close to 740 million members.1
If you’re not a member of the site, I know what you may want to say. “Wait, you want me to join one more website?”
I have found LinkedIn not only to be a useful tool to me as a writer, but also a fun one.
Think of it like this—LinkedIn is almost (emphasis on “almost”) like a professional form of Facebook. You can share posts, join groups, and message people privately. It doesn’t have the extremely personal updates (posts), like family vacation photos. But it does allow us to open a small window into our lives, so people can get to know us and our writing. It’s mainly a way to share professional news and create interest in our writing using posts and profile pages.
Although we probably need to spend more time on Facebook than LinkedIn—to go where the readers are—LinkedIn is a great way to build a writers’ “résumé.” And it lets us connect with those who are in the industry that we may not “meet” otherwise.
Here are seven reasons to join LinkedIn.
1. Editors and agents can see your background, experience, awards, and publications.
When I received a connection request from a Thomas Nelson publisher, I had to read the screen twice. My experience with writing Bible studies interested him, and after I sent him a thank you message, he was willing for me to email a book proposal. You never know who may find you on LinkedIn and what opportunities will pop up.
A profile page allows you to list your education, work experience, and other background information. It also lets you list your awards and published works, including a link to each publication in which you have been published. So in addition to acting like a writer’s résumé, a profile page is another opportunity to promote your writing and spread encouragement.
2. You can connect with other writers and learn about their writing and ministries.
I love it when I receive a connection request from someone who writes in the same genres. Their profile lets me see their bio, the name of their ministry if they have one, and what kind of writing they have done. It’s possible to chat privately and get to know each other better. Groups on LinkedIn serve as another way to get to know other writers and share useful tips and resources.
3. You may find a freelance editor or graphic designer.
Do you need someone to edit your book or create illustrations? Search for these freelancers on LinkedIn, and see some of their sample work. It’s possible to see any recommendations others have posted about their work.
4. Profile pages, articles, and posts can show up in Google search results.
This is one of my favorite features. If your profile is set to “public,” your profile page may show up in search results, and anyone can immediately get to know you and your background. You can even edit the end of your LinkedIn URL. See mine here.
Be aware that what you like, comment, and share on LinkedIn can go in your “Activity” section. So while we do want industry professionals and readers to find us on LinkedIn, we need to be mindful that they may be able to see everything that we’ve commented on and liked.
A useful tool of LinkedIn is their blogging platform called “Pulse.” We can share articles of up to 40,000 characters on this platform, and add photos, videos, links, and more. All articles must be our own original content. LinkedIn posts contain shorter bits of information, up to 600 characters. These can show up in a Google search and promote our message.
5. You can create a page for your business or ministry.
I didn’t realize this until a friend listed my family’s publishing company on her profile. She mentioned that she had contributed to a book, and then I discovered that our business could have a page on LinkedIn all its own. On this page, I can post news about upcoming books, magazine issues, and Zoom meetings.
If you have a business or ministry, investigate creating a page for it so that posts can show up in Google search results, and people have one more opportunity to learn about what you do.
6. You can give and receive “endorsements” and “recommendations.”
On a profile page, you can list your “skills” such as creative writing, editing, and speaking. Others can “endorse” a skill you have, as if they are vouching for you. We can also receive recommendations which look like the endorsements you would find on a website or in a book.
7. You can search for jobs and freelance work.
Need a different day job or want some editing work? List your skills in the appropriate section on your profile page, and watch the emails come to you of job opportunities. You can also search for a particular job on the site.
Which of these reasons to join LinkedIn do you like the most? If you are already a member, what have you found useful about the site? We’d love to hear, so join the conversation now!
If you would like to connect, please visit my profile on LinkedIn, and I would love to visit yours. You can find me here:Katy Kauffman on LinkedIn.
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In addition to online magazines, Katy’s writing can be found at CBN.COM, thoughts-about-God.com, and three blogs on writing. She loves to spend time with family and friends, talk about art and crafts in her group MY ARTSY TRIBE, and tend the garden in the morning sun. She makes her home in a cozy suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. Connect with her at her blog, WINNING THE VICTORY, and on FACEBOOK and TWITTER.
Great article! Everything you write about is true! I have been working from my home office in Delaware since 1996 as a full time freelance writer, author, ghostwriter and donut eater. These days the bulk of my freelance work comes via LinkedIn.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad donuts are a part of your job description. Thank you for confirming the benefit of LinkedIn for freelancers. And that was kind. Thank you for reading my posts!
DeleteGreat article. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue!
DeleteGood advice! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked it! Thank you, Diane.
DeleteI've always used LinkedIn for my "real world" job rather than my freelance or devotional writing. I need to dust off my profile and do better with that! Thanks for making a case for it. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Leigh! We need to connect on there if we haven't yet.
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