LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 810 million members worldwide. Having an optimized LinkedIn profile and building your network can help advance your career and business opportunities. One way to enhance your LinkedIn presence is by using smart links. Smart links allow you to track clicks, views, and other analytics for the content you share on LinkedIn. This guide will explain what smart links are, the benefits of using them, and step-by-step instructions on how to create them.
What is a Smart Link?
A smart link is a unique URL that is created specifically for tracking engagement and analytics. When you share a regular link on LinkedIn, it can be difficult to know how many people clicked on it, who viewed it, and other metrics. With a smart link, all of this data is tracked and viewable to you as the account owner.
Smart links are generated through various social media tools such as Bitly, Rebrandly, and Pretty Links. These tools shorten your original URL into a unique smart link that can be customized. When someone clicks your smart link, it will redirect them to the original URL destination. In the background, the link shortener tool tracks analytics on your behalf.
Benefits of Using Smart Links on LinkedIn
Here are some of the key advantages of using smart links for your LinkedIn content and engagement:
– Get click metrics – See how many total clicks your link received and monitor click performance over time. This helps you understand how well your content is resonating.
– Track top clickers – Identify who is engaging most with your content. This can reveal influencers to connect with or an audience to target.
– Understand click sources – See where your link clicks are coming from such as LinkedIn, Twitter, email, or elsewhere.
– Optimized for mobile – Smart links are shorter and optimized for small screens compared to long URLs. This improves clicks on mobile.
– Customizable – Smart links can be customized with your brand name or keywords to make memorable.
– Link brand consistency – Using a single link shortener tool for all your smart links will ensure a consistent brand presence.
– Easy to share – Short smart link URLs make copying and sharing easy.
– Link security – Link shortener tools allow you to protect your original URL if desired, hiding it from public view.
Step 1 – Select a Link Shortening Service
The first step in creating smart links for LinkedIn is selecting which tool you want to use. Here are some top options to consider:
Bitly – Leading smart link tool with robust analytics. Free and paid plans available.
Rebrandly – Feature-rich link management platform. Free for individuals.
Pretty Links – WordPress plugin to create and track smart links.
Linktree – Create a profile to share multiple smart links. Free and paid tiers.
HubSpot – Marketing platform that includes link shortening. Free and premium accounts.
Google URL Shortener – Simple smart link creator by Google. Limited features.
Select a tool that meets your budget and needs. Paid plans usually offer more advanced analytics and options. For most basic smart link needs, the free versions will suffice.
Step 2 – Create a Smart Link
Once you choose a smart link service, navigate to the tool’s website. Follow these general steps to generate your first smart link:
1. Sign up and login to create an account if required. Paid plans may need billing details.
2. Enter the original long URL you want to shorten into the designated field.
3. Customize your link by adding a memorable name, brand name, or keywords if desired.
4. Select options for tracking, redirects, link security, etc. Most defaults are fine.
5. Click the “Shorten” button and your unique smart link will be created.
6. Copy your new smart link to use it elsewhere.
The process is very quick and simple. Most tools allow you to create unlimited links for free or a monthly limit on paid plans. You can now insert this short smart link URL anywhere you previously had the long URL.
Step 3 – Share Smart Link on LinkedIn
Now it’s time to put your smart link into action on LinkedIn. Here are some ways you can share it to maximize engagement:
– LinkedIn profile – Add your smart link(s) to the Contact Info section so they are prominently displayed.
– LinkedIn posts – Include your smart link when sharing an article, images, or other content.
– LinkedIn articles – If you publish long-form posts on LinkedIn, embed smart links to external sites.
– LinkedIn messages – Share your smart link URL in conversations and messaging with your connections.
– LinkedIn groups – Engage with LinkedIn Groups by sharing your smart link in discussions.
– LinkedIn Company Pages – Interact and post your smart link on relevant Company Pages.
The goal is to get your smart link in front of the right audiences. Monitor your link analytics to see which networks and content generate the most clicks. Refine your strategy over time.
Maximizing Smart Link Impact
Creating a smart link is simple, but getting results takes the right strategy. Use these tips to maximize your smart link effectiveness on LinkedIn:
Target Relevant Audiences
Do not blast your smart links randomly. Take time to identify which audiences are most likely to engage with your content and target share accordingly. Get to know your connections and followers.
Promote Valuable Content
Smart links are a distribution tactic, not a replacement for quality content. Only create smart links for content that provides value. Offer truly useful resources that build your reputation.
Write Compelling Copy
The text you include with your smart link matters. Write compelling copy that grabs attention and inspires clicks. Ask questions, highlight benefits, and incorporate power words.
Use Visual Media
Tweets with images receive 150% more retweets. The same concept applies on LinkedIn. Include relevant visuals like infographics and photos with your smart links.
Be Consistent
Do not share your smart link just once. Promote it consistently over an extended time period through multiple channels to increase total clicks.
Monitor Performance
Check your link analytics regularly to see total clicks, top referrers, and other data. Use these insights to refine your strategy for better results.
Smart Link Best Practices
Here are some additional best practices to optimize your smart linking:
Use a Branded Link Domain
Choose a link shortener that allows you to use a custom domain name. For example, [YourName.link] looks more professional than random characters.
Monitor Broken Links
Check your link analytics to catch any broken links with high volumes of 404 errors. Replace broken URLs with a working smart link.
Shorten Long URLs
If sharing lengthy URLs, always shorten them with a smart link. Long links are difficult to share and remember.
Use UTM Tracking Codes
UTM codes let you tag smart links to track clicks from specific campaigns, channels, or other parameters.
Make Links Easy to Remember
Include keywords people can easily recall. For example, [YourBrand.ly/free-guide] is more memorable than random numbers and letters.
Redirect Broken Links
If your original URL goes broken, set up a redirect on your smart link tool to send users to an alternative or updated URL.
Use Link Shortener Browser Extensions
Install smart link browser extensions, like Bitly, to easily shorten links as you browse different websites. No need to retype or copy long URLs.
Do Not Break User Trust
Never disguise your smart links as something they are not or use them in a misleading way. Maintain user trust and ethics.
Conclusion
Smart links provide a simple but powerful tactic to enhance your LinkedIn presence and engagement. Select a link shortening tool, generate your unique smart link URL, and incorporate it into your LinkedIn content strategy. Focus on targeting relevant audiences, promoting valuable content, writing compelling copy, and monitoring performance. Use smart linking best practices covered in this guide to optimize results. With the right strategy, smart links can take your LinkedIn metrics and brand visibility to the next level.
