With over 7 million users, LinkedIn is gaining more popularity as the world calls for digital solutions much needed in the time of the pandemic. The “new normal” of networking has rapidly shifted to computer screens and mobile apps. While some have had years of experience navigating through the digital cloud in search of new connections, others felt like fresh graduates trying to figure out how everything works.

The pages of Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and other media are filled with headlines about virtual networking: tips, challenges, rules, warnings—it’s a lot to learn! But the common thread between all of them is the amount of opportunities that open up when you learn to use the tools efficiently. You can use the “Run Forrest, Run!” strategy or find out what small steps you can take today to take your networking to a new level.

In this article, you will learn about three new LinkedIn features that can help you get more creative with your content, build up your digital presence, and—in addition—help you to better handle hours of work spent in front of the screen.

Creator Mode

If you want to build a community of people who are interested in your professional opinion and ideas, you should have a well-put LinkedIn profile. With the new Creator Mode feature, you can reach a wider audience and make your voice heard in the industry.  

What is it? 

Creator Mode is a setting that allows LinkedIn users to post more original content to grow their audience and reach professionals in their field. Once you set it up, a few changes will happen to your profile.

1. The order of the sections will shift, and the page will look slightly different from what you are used to. The Activity and Featured sections will move to the top, whereas usually, the About section comes first.
2. Creator mode will also change how your Activity section looks to those who visit your profile. Historically, the section shows the most recent actions you have taken on LinkedIn—whether it’s your own content or the likes and comments you left under somebody else’s updates. With the Creator Mode on, the focus will shift to the original content you created, making an emphasis on your ideas and professional opinion.
3. You will have an opportunity to create content topics using hashtags—for instance, #sales, #leadgenration, #digitalmarketing. They will appear on your profile’s introductory card, below your headline or job title. These hashtags can help your prospects get an idea of what information you share and the value you provide with your content. 
4. The Connect button on your profile will change to Follow. As Jason Lemkin, chief executive of SaaStr Inc., said, “What LinkedIn lets you do—which is powerful—is you can become a micro-thought leader in one little space.” For those who prefer the Connect button, the function is still available and can be used.

Why use it? 

As our recent Case Study has shown, building your brand can be a game-changer! Not only does it allow you to connect with people in your industry, having a well-put LinkedIn profile establishes your authority on the platform and invites more people to hear your ideas out. It encourages them to engage in the conversation. Creator Mode is an opportunity to get more creative with developing your online persona and build a community of like-minded professionals with similar goals.

How to set it up? 

It takes only several steps to become a LinkedIn creator.

First, click the Me icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage. Then go to the View profile, and find Creator mode: Off button under Your Dashboard. Go to Next on the preview pop-up window and Add topics (hashtags) to include the topics you post about the most. Save! 

Cover Story

Even though the Cover Story feature was introduced to LinkedIn users back in Spring 2021, a recent survey on the Respect.Studio page has shown that almost 40% of the voters have never heard of this tool before.

What is it? 

Cover Story allows LinkedIn users to record a 30-second video clip and add it to their LinkedIn profile. You can think about it as a video profile image function on Facebook—a frame on the top of your regular profile picture, which doesn’t replace your profile picture but exists in the same place.

Why use it? 

As LinkedIn states on their official blog page, a cover story is a tool that lets you personalize your first “hello,” so you can engage your audience and reach recruiters. According to a 2021 Marketing Report published by HubSpot, the video stays on top as the #1 type of content two years in a row. That, of course, doesn’t mean that a cover story can substitute a well-written About section, but it is a great enhancement to your profile.

How to set it up? 

To add a cover story to your profile, first, go to the View Profile section. Tap the Add icon on your profile photo, press Add Cover Story, and finally, Record video. Make sure to enable your camera and microphone. After recording, you have an option to watch a preview of your cover story. If you like it, press the Next button and then Add to profile from the adjust preview screen.

Dark Mode

LinkedIn is a bit late to the party but it’s better late than never! Last month, the company announced the release of the Dark Mode feature, which is soon to be available in most regions around the globe.

What is it?

Dark Mode, perhaps, doesn’t need a long introduction. This feature is available on many messengers, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, social media platforms, Android, and iOS. Although the feature was designed a while ago, once adopted by tech giants, it has gained popularity from users worldwide.

Why use it?

This feature might not help you build more connections on LinkedIn, but it has various advantages you might want to consider. There is still much controversy among experts as to the benefits of dark mode, but the following are frequently mentioned: 

• The dark mode shows to be better for low-light settings; 
• It uses less energy thus, allowing the battery to last longer;
• It reduces the amount of blue light emitted by electronics. 

You might prefer the visual aspect of the dark mode or just want to change your “digital scenery” for a while. Regardless of the reasons, the option is gradually coming to LinkedIn users and you should check if you can already set it up on your device.

How to set it up?

Press the Me icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage. Then select Settings & Privacy from the dropdown menu and click Display under Account Preferences on the left. In the Display section, click Change next to Dark Mode.

Please, keep in mind that the tools are not yet available in some regions and you might need to wait for some time to use them. We frequently post updates on changes related to LinkedIn on the Respect.Studio page. Follow us not to miss any updates!