Build your LinkedIn Profile to Build your Business

Think about the last person that wanted to set up a meeting with you.  If they’re not someone you’ve spoken to in the last few months, you probably looked them up on Google, didn’t you? And what was the first result you clicked on? Most likely their LinkedIn profile. And your potential clients will probably do the same to you.

 

Your personal profile on LinkedIn must be viewed as an extension of your business card.  A quick and easy way for potential clients to decide if you are worthy of their time.

Don’t get creative with your photo, people want to see your face!  Once you’ve uploaded an image, make use of the cropping tools which are provided on LinkedIn to make sure your face takes up as much of the frame as possible.  If someone is going to a meeting with you they’re going to want to pick you out of a crowd.

The Professional Headline is often a forgotten field of the LinkedIn profile, but one of the most important ones.  It’s the first thing that a client will read after your name.  It’s the introduction to who you are.  Don’t try to get clever and risk being misunderstood, just state clearly what you do and who you do it for.

Clichés don’t sell.  Empty words such as ‘team-orientated’, ‘hard-working’, ‘results driven’, do not mean anything to anyone.  Instead focus on communicating why you do the work that you do.  Create a human element of who you are and how you have got to where you are.

Do you belong to any trade associations, chambers of commerce or networking groups? Add them to your profile.  The more experiences you add, the easier it will be to make connections.

Personal experiences are key.  If you have recommendations on your profile from happy clients and business contacts it demonstrates that you are credible and reliable.  And the easiest way to get these recommendations is…to simply ask for them!  

 

The ‘Request Recommendation’ tool is simple to use, but it’s important to make sure you get your message right before you send a request.  Tailor the message to the person you are sending it to and jog their memory about any points you would like mentioned in the recommendation.  Make the message short, sweet and flattering.  A stroke of the ego goes a long way.

 

If your requests fall short; start writing recommendations for others you know and you’ll soon find that they will reciprocate.

Do you want to share a particular piece of content or information, but have not found a relevant section in the standard profile? Simply click on the ‘Add Sections’ tool, just under your details and before the summary.  The tool lets you add details such as additional certifications, awards or courses you have taken; additional languages you speak; publications you have been featured in; projects you have undertaken, and much more.  

 

It will also help you to connect with SlideShare.net, Twitter and WordPress so that you can add or share content from these sources.  By sharing these other content types it will provide your potential clients with a clearer picture of your digital presence.

Don’t like the standard order your profile provides you with? Then switch the sections around.  Next to every section heading you will find a four-way hover arrow which allows you to grab hold of that section and pull it to the place you want it.  So, if you have lots of recommendations, push them to the top. If your industry requires professional qualifications, make that the first thing people see.  Make your profile work for your goals.

There are many ways to connect with new people through LinkedIn.  The first is simply sending an invite to connect with someone you have just met at a networking event, business meeting or social gathering.  When sending the invite tailor your message to say that it was nice to meet them and why you want to connect.

 

The second is to use the tools provided to you through LinkedIn, like the ‘People You May Already Know’ tool. This tool becomes more effective the more complete your profile is, as it pulls contacts from your previous workplaces and non-work related experiences.  

By making your profile public, not only will people be able to find you more easily on LinkedIn but you will also be indexed in search engines like Google.

 

And while you are thinking about search engines; don’t forget to take the time to optimize your profile for web.  Consider the key search words you’d want to associate your profile with.  When writing about what your accomplishments use your full name e.g. John Smith has over 10 years experience in management consultancy. Add links to your profile of websites  that highlight your experience.  And don’t forget to link your profile to any blogs you write or any other websites you work on.  Remember, the more links to professional websites you have the more Google will like you. 

 

Like any form of social media, it is important to keep your profile up-to-date with relevant information, and maintain a community of contacts who are valued, relevant and useful. 

Now check our article on how to promote your business on LinkedIn.