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Education

What would happen if that person instead started sharing
features of their favorite POS devices, as well as describing
the verticals those devices work in with specific examples The worst thing you can do
from real businesses? This would position the person as
a subject matter expert, and you'd be much more likely on LinkedIn is only scroll.
to reach out to them to collaborate on a future business Scrolling is like walking into
opportunity.
a networking event, standing
Flip your mindset from trying to self-promote to instead
think about what value you can give to your following. I in the corner of the room and
use the notes application on my phone to write posts or
ideas as they come to mind, and then it doesn't feel like staring at the crowd.
work at all to copy and share these as posts at a future
date.

I write about a variety of topics, but I try to stick mostly Carefully curate your timeline
to the niches I know well within payments so that my Your timeline is populated based on the people that you've
following is familiar with my content. If you don't feel invited to connect with as well as the ones that you've
comfortable posting your own content, engaging in other chosen to follow. Be selective with the connections and
people's posts works, too. followers that you allow to populate your feed.

Sharing external articles is also a good baby step before LinkedIn can be a time-waster like many other platforms.
becoming an active poster, but be sure you add your Dedicate a small amount of time per day. I try to find
perspective about why you're sharing the article and people who are sharing relevant content and unfollow
what you found interesting so that your connections are those who post blatant sales pitches or irrelevant memes.
motivated to take the next step to open the article. Curating your timeline makes it easy to engage in quality

Share valuable content and a little of your mindset content, which will have a flywheel effect of increasing
visibility and engagement on your posts.
The whole point of LinkedIn is getting to know others, so Help elevate the culture in payments
don't be afraid to share what makes you tick. I think that
the right mix is somewhere around 75 percent professional As you start to spend more time on LinkedIn, my hope is
and 25 percent personal. We're all human after all, and that you will see the same benefits that I have. Reading
we like to do business with others when we feel a human content from payments professionals who work in other
connection with them. areas will equip you with a broader perspective, which
will ultimately help you to solve the problems that you
Don't be afraid to be bold, especially in the first line or may have struggled with in the past.
two of your post. If you want to encourage engagement
on your posts, you'll have to do something to stop users You will also likely learn that it's not only okay to talk
from scrolling to grab their attention. You can do that to your competitors, but it can be incredibly productive.
with a great headline, an image, a video, or by asking When we collaborate with the goal of providing the best
an intriguing question. Mix up the content to keep your possible service to the businesses we serve, we elevate the
followers coming back for more engagement. culture in payments and the industry as a whole.
Personal branding
And finally, as you establish your personal brand, you'll
My favorite thing about sharing content on LinkedIn is that likely notice that new connections start seeking you
the platform gives every individual the ability to establish out versus the other way around. The most interesting
their professional identity, regardless of their employer. business opportunities started presenting themselves as
What do you stand for? What do you stand against? soon as I started becoming an active LinkedIn contributor.
I hope that you have the same experience.
Invest the time in establishing yourself as a subject matter
expert, share your personal viewpoints as they relate to Elaina Smith is the CFO of Secure Bancard, www.securebancard.com, a
your payments niche, and you will be well on your way to wholesale ISO based in Alpharetta, Ga. Connect with her on LinkedIn at
defining your personal brand. This is important because https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/elainademezasmith/.
it's yours and yours alone, regardless of what company
you're currently employed by or the position you hold.
You are defined by the things that make you uniquely you
on the LinkedIn platform.

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