Best Tip for Boosting Your Social Selling Index (SSI)
If you have been engaging more with LinkedIn over the past few years or your company has put a focus on the Digital Buyers Journey, you have no doubt been asked about your Social Selling Index (SSI).
What is SSI and How can I Find out What Mine is?
SSI is a score from LinkedIn based on how effectively you portray your professional brand, build relationships, find the right people, and engage with insights.
It basically a score card that LinkedIn has put in place to give you some measurement or guidance on ways you can be more effective on their platform.
If you click here it will take you to the LinkedIn Solutions page. Not only is there a link to help you find YOUR SSI but several other resources to explain what some of the activities are to help YOU improve your score.
I've Tried a Lot of Things - What's the Best Way to Really Boost My SSI?
If you are like me there are several things you do periodically on LinkedIn that seem to maintain your SSI but doesn't really move the needle. Things like...
Commenting, Liking and Sharing Posts
Updating your Profile from time to time (i.e picture, headline, skills, interests)
Endorsing Others
Growing your connections
By far the #1 way I have seen a boost in my SSI is by Creating & Sharing my own Articles
LinkedIn seems to reward you with several extra SSI points for using this feature over simply posting an update.
I know What YOU are Thinking...I'm Not Much of a Writer...that Sounds Like a Lot of Work...I'm Not Ready to Take that On!
Fear NOT...It's ridiculously easy to do and you can take it in small steps.
The Journey of 1000 Miles Starts with One Step...All You Have to Do is Begin!
In fact - I would encourage you to do an Article Once a Week by simply highlighting something that you would have otherwise done as a Post. You don't even have to write much or put yourself out there right away.
For Example - YOU saw an article you really liked on Leadership or YOUR company has some new products, capability or solutions. Rather than simply sharing as a post like you normally would create an article instead. You can easily write a short introduction - "Check this out - here are some helpful things from the following article or post. Contact me or continue the conversation by sharing, liking or commenting below." Then copy and paste in the link!
More detail or perspective is always appreciated by your audience but YOU be YOU! For best tips or ways you can jazz up your post take a look at other people's articles in your network to get some ideas!
Here is how YOU do it in 3 Easy Steps...
Click on Write Article Button Below Start a Post on the Homepage
You will See the Following Screen Appear.
You Just need to...
Add a Picture (I have been finding a lot of Quality Free Photos on Unsplash Lately or use can use one from the Article/Post You are Sharing)
Type In a Headline (Best Article I have read All Week...or some teaser)
Start writing where it says...Write Here
When you are done Click Publish
Last Tips to Put YOUR Mind at Ease
YOU can update, edit or delete your post at any time. There are many times I have hit PUBLISH and realized after I re-read it that I had a typo or grammatical error (I'm my own editor so I'm not always as good at seeing my own mistakes right away)
Writing YOUR own content or putting your own spin on content gives your network another way to get to know you. It's all about trying new ways to reach your audience and grow your network. You don't have to write a lot at first - you can take it slow and easy until you find your voice/comfort levels.
YOUR network will be more appreciative than you think! I have always been pleasantly surprised and humbled by the generosity and encouragement of my network with the content I produce in Articles. People genuinely want you to succeed and are looking for inspiring, interesting content that they can leverage and learn from.
In Closing...
It's super easy to write and post your own articles AND it is my best tip to boosting your SSI. The key is to do it once a week to diversify some of the other things you are already doing!
Be Sure to Let Me Know How it Goes and if YOUR SSI Score Gets A Boost TOO!
Leadership Questions of the Week for YOU:
What is YOUR SSI and how often do YOU pay attention to it?
What is YOUR best tip to boost YOUR SSI on LinkedIn?
Have YOU written Articles before and if not why not?
Do YOU find Articles grab YOUR attention more when they come up in your news feed or do you tend to pass them by?
What are some features or things YOU like in Articles that YOU feel are a best practice we can learn from or incorporate more?
Thanks for reading and remember…YOU make a difference!
Please continue the conversation by liking…commenting or sharing this article. You can also follow me on twitter @marciedwhite
