Welcome to Part II of our two-part series, How to Dial Up Your Linked In Presence. Part I covers setting up and optimizing your profile pages. Part II focuses on lead generation and networking, visuals and media, creating posts, and best practices. Idaho Mediation Association is grateful for the opportunity to share with our community this step-by-step guidance from expert Paige Wiscombe, Idaho Women's Business Center Program Director at Business Impact NW. 

USING LINKEDIN FOR LEAD GENERATION & NETWORKING

Why: LinkedIn helps you proactively connect, nurture relationships, and convert contacts into clients. 

Lead generation checklist

• Daily engagement: Spend 10-15 minutes engaging with relevant posts, sharing valuable comments, and networking. 

• Content creation: Share posts or articles at least 2-3 times weekly to establish expertise. 

• Showcase expertise: Offer value-driven insights relevant to your target audience. 

• Connection strategy: Regularly invite relevant prospects and industry peers to connect with you and include personalized messages. 

How to use LinkedIn search to find relevant people step-by-step):

1. Open LinkedIn and go to the search bar located at the top-left of your LinkedIn homepage. 

2. Enter relevant keywords. Type specific terms related to your target market or industry, i.e. "small business owner.” "graphic designer," "mental health counselor," 

3. Use the 'People' filter. After hitting Enter, click the "People" button to focus results only on profiles. 

4. Refine with additional filters. Click "All Filters" to narrow down results by:  

-Location (e.g., Idaho, Alaska, Oregon, Washington) 
-Industry (e.g., Accounting, Marketing, Health Care) 
-Connections (1st, 2nd, 3rd-degree) 
-Current Company(specific companies or sectors) 

5. Review profiles & connect thoughtfully. View profiles to ensure relevance. 
-Click "Connect" and always add a personalized message explaining why you'd like to connect.

Example message: "Hi [Name], I noticed we both have been engaging with Women’s Networking events, I’d like to connect" OR Hi! We both attended X recent event and I wanted to meet you. Let’s connect! 

6. Follow-up & engage. Once connected, periodically engage with their posts, comment thoughtfully, and nurture the relationship organically. 

Using these steps will help you strategically build a valuable network and connect authentically with ideal prospects or partners. 

7. Use messaging: Use LinkedIn messaging for genuine interactions. Avoid immediate and automated sales pitches. DO NOT SPAM people. 

Practice: Search for a company you WANT to do business with. Find a “2nd” level connection. Send a connection invite. Who did you choose and why?


ENHANCING YOUR LINKEDIN PRESENCE WITH VISUALS & MEDIA 

Why: Visuals significantly increase engagement and make your content memorable. 

Media checklist

• Videos: Short introduction or explainer videos, client testimonials, or behind-the-scenes glimpses. 

• Portfolio links: Share examples of your best work (websites, graphic design portfolios, success stories). 

• Documents & PDFs: Upload resources or lead magnets that position you as an expert. 

• Relevant links: Add your website, booking pages, social media links, or online stores. 

• Share articles: If you already post blogs, make sure to also add them to the LinkedIn Article Sections 

Best practices 

• It’s important to include your “take” on why you posted something. Resharing your comments about “why” you’re resharing helps connections know you and what you stand for. 

• When you comment, use 7-11 words in your comment to help drive visibility and keep your comment at the top of their comments section. 

Practice: Spend one minute scrolling to find something you think stands out on your feed. Reflect on what works and how you can apply it to your own feed. 

SAMPLE AI PROMPTS FOR CREATING LINKEDIN POSTS 

1. Creating posts from scratch: "Help me write a friendly yet professional LinkedIn post introducing my business [insert brief description] to potential clients." 
2. Content ideas for consistency:"Give me 5 engaging LinkedIn content ideas for my [industry/profession] business this month?"  
3. Showcasing client success: "I just completed [briefly describe recent client project or success]. Help me create a LinkedIn post highlighting this win."
4. Thought leadership content: "Help me write a LinkedIn post sharing 3 quick tips about [your area of expertise] to establish myself as an expert."
5. Creating engagement: "Give me a LinkedIn post idea with a question or call-to-action to increase engagement from my audience." 
6. Promoting services/offers: "Write a short, compelling LinkedIn post promoting my new [service, product, or offer], including a clear call-to-action." 
7. Event or webinar promotion: "Help me write a friendly yet persuasive LinkedIn post inviting my network to attend my upcoming [webinar/event/class], including registration details." 
8. Networking and connection posts: "Craft a brief LinkedIn post aimed at connecting with other professionals in [industry/location] for networking opportunities." 
9. Behind-the-scenes content: "Create a LinkedIn post showcasing a behind-the-scenes moment from my day-to-day work as a [your profession]."

10. Personal insights and reflections: "Write a relatable LinkedIn post sharing a recent lesson I learned about [business, leadership, entrepreneurship, etc.]." 

ALWAYS edit your results from AI to make sure they are YOUR voice and remove things like the long dash, overused emojis, etc. 

Practice: Choose a prompt suggestion. Which suggestion appealed most to you and how you can apply that to your own business? 

ONGOING LINKEDIN BEST PRACTICES

1. Consistency is key. Set a calendar reminder to regularly update and engage.

2. Balance professionalism with authenticity. 

3. Track engagement to learn what resonates with your audience. 

4. Include your WHY as to the purpose of your post. I am sharing this article because.... I loved this event because.... I recently did X and am sharing because... Your why helps people know you and understand how you might work well together. 

Practice: What did you learn today that will be most beneficial to your business? 

Now you're ready to optimize your LinkedIn presence and amplify your business reach! 

A heartfelt thank you to Paige Wiscombe, the Idaho Women's Business Center Program Director at Business Impact NW. For more information or to connect with Paige, contact: paigew@businessimpactnw.org or visit www.businessimpactnw.org 

The Idaho Women’s Business Center (IWBC), hosted by Business Impact NW, provides entrepreneurs and small business owners across Idaho with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to start, grow, and sustain successful businesses. Through one-on-one business coaching, practical workshops and classes, cohort programs, and connections to valuable resources and partners, we support entrepreneurs at every stage—from exploring a business idea to navigating growth and expansion. Our services are available statewide and are offered free or at low cost, helping ensure that high-quality business education and support are accessible to entrepreneurs regardless of where they are in their business journey.

Learn more about the Idaho Mediation Association here and about becoming a certified professional mediator here.