Today the holiday season ‘officially’ begins with the celebration of Halloween.

When I was a child, I loved this time of year because every month through February we had fun family celebrations: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day, and Valentines. And sometimes, March, when Easter came early.

The holiday season is the perfect time to connect with your family and friends by gathering together in person, or when apart, sending holiday messages via a phone call or card in the mail.

Well, the holiday season is also a perfect time to connect with your LinkedIn network in a warm and personalized way too. Here are five fun and meaningful ways you can do so:

1. Send Personalized Greetings:
Instead of using generic holiday messages, take a moment to send personalized holiday greetings. Mention a recent interaction or something specific you appreciate about the person’s work or profile. This shows that you genuinely care and are paying attention to what they are up to.

2. Give Back and Promote Causes:
Use the holiday season as an opportunity to support a charitable cause that is near and dear to your heart. Share your involvement with volunteer work, donations, or other efforts to help those in need. Encourage your network to join in or support the same cause.

3. Share a Year-End Reflection:
Create a post or article reflecting on your professional accomplishments and lessons learned throughout the year. Share your successes and challenges. This can help you connect with others who’ve had similar experiences and create meaningful discussions.

4. Express Gratitude:
Take a moment to express gratitude for your connections and the opportunities you’ve had during the year. A simple thank-you message or a public shoutout can go a long way in building and maintaining professional relationships.

5. Reveal Professional Goals for the New Year:
Share your professional goals for the upcoming year. This not only makes you accountable but also invites others to share their goals, potentially leading to collaborations or partnerships in the future.

Remember, the key to LinkedIn success during the holidays is to maintain authenticity and consistency. Use these five fun and meaningful ways to genuinely connect with your network and to strengthen existing relationships, create new ones, and position yourself as a professional who values personal connections.

“Happy Halloween”

This article first appeared in my ‘Winning Social Strategies’ LinkedIn newsletter. Click to subscribe for monthly actionable tips to elevate your social media presence, maximize engagement, & achieve your social media goals.

Author: Cheri Martin, So Social Visionary; Your Guide to Simplifying Social Media for Growth, Prosperity, and Success