On LinkedIn, your personal profile is the core element of an effective LinkedIn strategy. You cannot be successful selling on LinkedIn if your profile is sub-par. This article gives some key pointers on how to do it right, so read on...
When somebody clicks on your image or byline, or links in comments you make, they go right to your LinkedIn profile. It's a quick hop to your message. So having a strong message is essential, right?
The ideal LinkedIn strategy will attract a large number of profile visitors, then convert them into discovery calls with a minimum amount of effort. Here are some tips to facilitate that:
Most people have an uninviting or unprofessional image. Just throwing up a photo from 10 years ago when you had hair (or worse a mullet) is a bad move. People do bizarre things with their photos, which really gives a lousy first impression. There's only one rule to follow here: Get a professional photo in appropriate work attire done every three to five years.
LinkedIn is increasingly becoming a visual social media arena. You can put a 1400 x 425 pixel image at the top as a banner to significantly spruce up your profile. This image should be as high quality as you can get. Do not use standard free LinkedIn stock images here, since this looks like you don't care. Personalize the image and get a high density one from an online stock photo service. Make sure the image reflects what you do or the results you provide. This helps brand you and makes you memorable.
Your byline or headline should state what you do in a nutshell. LinkedIn defaults to your job title, which is usually something like Head of XYZ. That might means something if you're the CEO, but you should also include a few words about what value you bring to the conversation. Otherwise, why should I connect with you? It's like an elevator pitch.
Don't forget your headline. Most people leave it at the default job title. But this isn't a good LinkedIn strategy -- it should be changed to what you do and what value you offer. Try to write a 3-5 word elevator pitch somebody can clearly understand at a glance. Your headline and photo is what people see at a glance all over LinkedIn, so a good headline will really increase your incoming connection invites.
Keywords are very important on LinkedIn. Potential customers searching for products and services will use the search box to find people and companies who can solve their needs. LinkedIn's search engine has a unique ranking mechanism that relies on keywords, skills and the ranking of your profile versus other similar professionals. If your profile has lots of keywords, it is naturally likely to appear at the top of relevant search results. That means more potential business for you!
Believe it or not, the interests section is important for a good LinkedIn strategy. When people in your second degree network see how they're connected, one or more common interests may appear. Many times your potential prospects will want to do business with you because they share your love of the environment or animal rights. So list as many interests as you have.
The publications section is another location to show you are an industry expert. It also helps in search results. Write out papers, articles, academic projects, awards, films and other projects you've been part of.
Your LinkedIn profile, when written from the perspective of what your ideal target prospects are looking for, will work for you for years as a core part of your successful new LinkedIn strategy.
When somebody clicks on your image or byline, or links in comments you make, they go right to your LinkedIn profile. It's a quick hop to your message. So having a strong message is essential, right?
The ideal LinkedIn strategy will attract a large number of profile visitors, then convert them into discovery calls with a minimum amount of effort. Here are some tips to facilitate that:
Most people have an uninviting or unprofessional image. Just throwing up a photo from 10 years ago when you had hair (or worse a mullet) is a bad move. People do bizarre things with their photos, which really gives a lousy first impression. There's only one rule to follow here: Get a professional photo in appropriate work attire done every three to five years.
LinkedIn is increasingly becoming a visual social media arena. You can put a 1400 x 425 pixel image at the top as a banner to significantly spruce up your profile. This image should be as high quality as you can get. Do not use standard free LinkedIn stock images here, since this looks like you don't care. Personalize the image and get a high density one from an online stock photo service. Make sure the image reflects what you do or the results you provide. This helps brand you and makes you memorable.
Your byline or headline should state what you do in a nutshell. LinkedIn defaults to your job title, which is usually something like Head of XYZ. That might means something if you're the CEO, but you should also include a few words about what value you bring to the conversation. Otherwise, why should I connect with you? It's like an elevator pitch.
Don't forget your headline. Most people leave it at the default job title. But this isn't a good LinkedIn strategy -- it should be changed to what you do and what value you offer. Try to write a 3-5 word elevator pitch somebody can clearly understand at a glance. Your headline and photo is what people see at a glance all over LinkedIn, so a good headline will really increase your incoming connection invites.
Keywords are very important on LinkedIn. Potential customers searching for products and services will use the search box to find people and companies who can solve their needs. LinkedIn's search engine has a unique ranking mechanism that relies on keywords, skills and the ranking of your profile versus other similar professionals. If your profile has lots of keywords, it is naturally likely to appear at the top of relevant search results. That means more potential business for you!
Believe it or not, the interests section is important for a good LinkedIn strategy. When people in your second degree network see how they're connected, one or more common interests may appear. Many times your potential prospects will want to do business with you because they share your love of the environment or animal rights. So list as many interests as you have.
The publications section is another location to show you are an industry expert. It also helps in search results. Write out papers, articles, academic projects, awards, films and other projects you've been part of.
Your LinkedIn profile, when written from the perspective of what your ideal target prospects are looking for, will work for you for years as a core part of your successful new LinkedIn strategy.
About the Author:
Using a good LinkedIn strategy to attract more ideal target customers can generate powerful results. Combine it with one of these LinkedIn strategies and you can always have a full sales pipeline!
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