Are you a CTO looking to build your personal brand or attract more opportunities? Let’s be honest—being great at your job is no longer enough. You need to stand out, and LinkedIn is where it happens. In today’s competitive market, optimizing your LinkedIn presence can open doors you never imagined. But how do you do that when you're busy leading tech teams and driving innovation? That's where experts like Dr. Falk Hannemann, CEO of Lodron, come into play. In our latest podcast episode, Falk shared invaluable tips on how to maximize your LinkedIn profile and use it as a powerful tool for business development. If you're serious about your career growth, this is a conversation you don't want to miss.
Check out the full interview with Dr. Falk Hannemann on YouTube below. You’ll want to grab a pen for this one because it’s packed with actionable advice.
Video Interview
You can watch the video on YouTube or below:
Why LinkedIn Matters for CTOs
Let’s face it—LinkedIn is more than a platform for job seekers. It’s a dynamic space where you can connect with decision-makers, share your expertise, and build a reputation as a thought leader in your field.
Falk put it perfectly when he said, “LinkedIn is a B2B network, but it’s also a people business. Your personal profile always outperforms a company profile.”
This means that even if you’re not looking for a new job, the relationships you build and the visibility you gain on LinkedIn can lead to partnerships, speaking engagements, or investment opportunities. For a senior technical leader, these connections can be game-changers.
Step 1: Fix Your LinkedIn Profile
Before you start thinking about posts or networking strategies, your profile needs to be top-notch. Falk emphasized the importance of achieving what LinkedIn calls "All-Star Status." This involves completing every section of your profile, from your headline to your experience section. As Falk mentioned in the interview:
“Your headline, banner, and info box are critical. Everything has to be 100% complete. And don’t forget to tailor your slogan—it’s what grabs attention.”
The headline is particularly important. It's the first thing people see, so it should be clear, concise, and relevant to your target audience. Falk advises against vague titles like “CTO at XYZ Company.” Instead, try something that speaks directly to your niche or value proposition, such as “Fractional CTO specializing in cloud transformation for mid-sized businesses.”
Step 2: Define Your Target Audience
One of the most common mistakes CTOs make is trying to speak to everyone. But on LinkedIn, a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work.
“The key is to define your target group very clearly. If your audience isn’t on LinkedIn, there’s no point in wasting time. Do a potential check before you start.” Falk explained.
For example, if you're aiming to connect with CEOs of mid-sized tech companies in Germany or Poland, you can use LinkedIn’s Sales Navigator to filter your audience by demographics, region, and even company size. According to Falk, Sales Navigator offers over 30 criteria that help you find your ideal audience, making it an essential tool for targeted outreach.
Step 3: Post with Purpose
Once your profile is optimized and your audience is defined, the next step is content creation. This is where a lot of people get stuck, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.
“Most people on LinkedIn just post pictures with text. There’s so much more you can do.” Falk said.
He recommends experimenting with different content formats such as LinkedIn Live sessions, newsletters, and even surveys. These types of posts not only engage your audience but are also favored by LinkedIn’s algorithm, meaning they’re likely to get more visibility.
And here’s a pro tip: Don’t post for the sake of posting. Every piece of content should provide value to your audience. Whether it’s sharing insights from a recent project or offering advice on navigating a tech challenge, always think about how you can help your target audience solve their problems.
Step 4: Track Your Success
You wouldn’t roll out a new tech platform without measuring its performance, right? The same goes for LinkedIn. Falk stressed the importance of tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) like connection requests, message response rates, and profile views.
“You should be tracking how many connections you send each week, how many of those convert into meaningful interactions, and how often your profile is visited. Aim for a 30% connection rate. If you’re not hitting that, it’s time to refine your approach.”
Falk also highlighted the importance of impressions on your posts. As a rule of thumb, if you have 1,000 connections, you should aim for at least 1,000 impressions per post. If your content isn’t getting the engagement you expect, it might be time to reconsider your messaging or posting schedule.
Step 5: Nurture Your Network
Once you’ve built your network, don’t forget to nurture it. Falk recommends engaging with your connections by liking and commenting on their posts and reaching out directly when appropriate. Building a strong network isn’t a one-time effort; it requires ongoing attention.
Here’s a golden nugget from Falk: “Always keep track of your follow-ups. People you connect with today may not be ready to work with you immediately, but staying in touch through regular updates keeps you top of mind.”
Falk suggested using a monthly email newsletter to maintain relationships with your network. A newsletter allows you to step outside the LinkedIn algorithm and maintain control over your communication.
Quick Wins for CTOs
If all of this seems overwhelming, don’t worry. Falk shared a simple LinkedIn routine that only takes 15 minutes a day:
- Respond to your messages: Keep your inbox clear.
- Engage with your connections: Like, comment, and share posts.
- Post once a week: Consistency is key.
- Send connection requests: Aim for at least 10 new connections daily.
This routine will help you maintain an active presence on LinkedIn without it becoming a time-consuming task.
The Long-Term Game
Finally, it’s important to recognize that success on LinkedIn doesn’t happen overnight. Building your brand, nurturing relationships, and landing high-quality leads takes time. As Falk said:
“It’s a long-term game. You won’t see results immediately, but with consistency, your efforts will pay off.”
By following these steps, you’ll gradually build a network of valuable connections and create opportunities for yourself, whether you’re looking for your next role or your next client.
Ready to Take Action?
So, if you're a CTO ready to level up your LinkedIn game, now’s the time to act. Watch the full interview with Dr. Falk Hannemann to get even more insights and actionable tips that can help you turn your LinkedIn profile into a powerful tool for business development. You can connect with Falk on his LinkedIn.
Don’t wait for the perfect moment—start optimizing your profile today and see how LinkedIn can work for you.
As Falk wisely said, “You can only grow because the platform is growing.”
