LinkedIn is without a doubt one of the most popular social networks oriented around the business world in the world.
With its wide network of over 830 million members, a whopping number, business professionals can find it to be the most thriving professional place to discuss and share business ideas along with finding ever-new opportunities.
Entrepreneurs, seekers, mentors and many more have found LinkedIn to be a valuable addition to the digital world.Â
Gone are the days of hard copies of CVs and resumes, now with just a few clicks can the applicant get noticed.Â
With its expansion to over 200 countries, LinkedIn propels professional engagement to new levels.
But with this vast abyss of professional opportunities also comes a lack of understanding of the medium’s features.Â
In order to increase the efficiency of any user on the platform, it becomes necessary to gauge the platform and understand some key features.Â
This article will attempt to explain some of them so that the user can optimize their time to achieve their objectives.
10 Valuable Features LinkedIn Features That You Should Start Using
Below are some features of LinkedIn that the reader may or may not know existed on the platform.Â
1. Obscuring LinkedIn Contacts
A major feature of LinkedIn which many daily users are unaware of is the ability to hide and obstruct other people from taking a peek at your contact list.
The user has the ability to control the exposure of his network list and whether the list is open for added connections or people outside the user’s network.
This feature is becoming increasingly important for entrepreneurs and other business leaders who need to protect their privacy as their list may contain vital supply chain contacts or valuable talent which the company may need to retain.
2. Exporting Connections
LinkedIn had its one of the most famous features on the website removed and added back on popular demand.
Users can export their connections list wherever they want and in popular formats, too. The contacts can be obtained in a .CSV format, a spreadsheet or VCF format.
The exported contact list contains the name of the contacts, company names, titles and email addresses.
These can then further be utilized as per the user’s directions either by managing them with CRMs or other databases.
3. Researching in Privacy
One of the most vital aspects of business talents is the recruitment process and the filtering which comes after applications.
There are many HR departments that value privacy when conducting due diligence on prospective employees.Â
LinkedIn features an anonymous option that enables users to recruit enabled talent and leads.Â
Discreet research is now at your fingertips. The unsuspecting company or user will not be able to find out who sought them or looked at their profile.Â
4. Skills and Endorsements Management
For active users on any social media platform, it is common knowledge that daily regular activity is important to stand out from the crowd.
Whether it is for business marketing purposes or awareness purposes, to recruit new talent or to create brand image, listing exact skills becomes imperative.
Other people on the user’s network can vouch for the listed skillset as well. This endorsement on the views add further credibility so that employers and companies may find it easier to find the exact match they are looking for.
Profile visibility gets increased as a result and search engines list the users higher.
5. Pronunciation of Profile Name
Always assist others in pronouncing your names right. Sometimes, it is hard to pronounce unique names and they fumble when people say it.
So, it is better to make it simple for folks to get to know you better.
Simply posting an audio clip of how to pronounce your name correctly, will help people to connect with you more.Â
It only exhibits your brand’s empathy, relieving some of the burdens on a new contact who would otherwise be forced to guess.
6. Saving Searches
Nowadays, searches have become second nature to researchers and curious minds.
 Prospective applicants, employers and businesses search a lot and may get lost in their searches due to expanding volumes. Users may wish to learn courses, search opportunities or other posts.Â
LinkedIn allows users to save their searches so that users may save their time and manage their schedule efficiently.
All of the saved searches can be accessed later and can also be put on reminder so that automated criteria can help remind users of their searches or queries.Â
7. Ability to Add Media Files to User’s Profile
Many seasoned LinkedIn users do not know that their profiles have the ability to add media files. These files may include documents, photos, videos, presentations, etc.Â
One of the reasons for adding media files to users’ profiles is to authenticate them to show samples of the user’s work and projects.Â
All of the media can be attached in various other formats so that users may have a seamless experience.
8. Renew Inactive Accounts by Merging
Many people in their infant years of business searches and careers made accounts which are now dormant due to various reasons.
But some information on those dormant accounts may come handy later on, and users may require access to those accounts. LinkedIn offers those users to merge inactive accounts with their active ones.
All connections of those dormant accounts will route incoming activities to the newly merged account so that users may organize their data and manage all their data as per their needs.
9. LinkedIn Live Real-time Engagement
New marketing activities have propelled customer engagement to undiscovered levels.
Live video is a feature of LinkedIn so that users and brands can get real-time engagement through events so that customers can engage with their brands via Q&A sessions and other activities.Â
Users and brands can also initiate live videos for various production activities.Â
10. Private Messaging without Connecting with Users
The LinkedIn Premium membership allows users to send messages to anyone within or outside their network.Â
This makes pinpointing leads and attracting other people fairly easy. This feature may sound not so big but is monumental in terms of customer and user engagement.Â
Not having other people on your list is a barrier to engagement and companies are continuously finding new ways to target and communicate with new users. This feature comes in handy for all the interested.Â
Conclusion
LinkedIn continuously experiments and introduces new elements to its platforms so that its users can take benefit and use the platform to its full potential.
This article has attempted to highlight some of those features so that entrepreneurs and users may take advantage of these features. Now, engagement will become easier for users looking for an edge.