linkedin copy

I know you.  You ignore your LinkedIn profile.

“But I set it up, and I have connections there!”

When was the last time you looked at it?  REALLY looked at it?

 

LinkedIn brings more traffic to my website when I pay even the minimum attention to it than any other Social Media site I hang out on.

Hands down.

For some reason, when LinkedIn started to become popular, it was thought to be an exclusive place to only connect with people you really know.  I can’t imagine why that is!  Yes, it’s personal.  Your LinkedIn profile is about YOU, not necessarily about your biz.  It’s about you and all of your Rockstar talents, a place to share all of your personal accomplishments.  It’s business oriented though!  Why are we connecting with crazy people on Facebook, but locking down our LinkedIn profiles?  I don’t get it.

So, tip number one, make your profile fully visible to everyone.  If you think you can convince me why you shouldn’t, go ahead and try in the comments below.  🙂

This is a biggie, so share this with your friends!  CLICK TO TWEET

OK now that your profile is visible, it’s time to get rid of the shame.

It doesn’t take much, really.

  • You need a businessy picture of yourself.  No kids, no pets.  A headshot of sorts.
  • Double check your email and website addresses.  Be sure they’re what you want to portray.  Get rid of the me@hotmail.com.
  • Make sure you connect Twitter if you use it.  Currently, there is no direct Facebook integration.
  • Plump it up!  Talk about yourself like you’re talking to me.

That’s it!  That should make you confident enough to start to share it.

Tip number two – take care of the basics and get rid of LinkedIn shame

Now, it’s time to start connecting.  The more connections you have, the better LinkedIn will work for you.  You’ll be searchable by everyone connected to you and THEIR connections, so the more connections, the better chance you have of coming up in a search.

Groups are a great way to increase connections.  Join groups relevant to your industry or your interests, and be active in the groups.  Ask questions, answer questions.  Start your OWN group!  You’ll see a pop in your number of connections pretty quickly.

Tip number three – join groups and be active in them to increase connections

LinkedIn is growing exponentially.  You need a LinkedIn Makeover if:

  • You want more Sales
  • You own a business
  • You’re looking for a job
  • You’re looking to hire
  • You run a bake sale
  • You’re about to graduate college
  • You’re busy, and want serious return on your time investment
  • You like making money in your business
  • You want more Sales (worth repeating)

If you’re not paying attention to your LinkedIn page, you’re losing business opportunities.  It’s free to use, so use it wisely and leverage off of the exponential growth!

LinkedIn gives you a warm contact, for potential sales, jobs, or partnerships.  When you meet someone that you want to stay connected to, sometimes it’s just plain creepy to send them a Facebook invite.  LinkedIn, not so.  It’s perfectly acceptable to request a LinkedIn connection to people you meet at trade shows, after sales calls, after connecting at your kids soccer game.  AND, now you have a way to keep in touch that isn’t intrusive or pushy.

Here’s the hard part.  We sometimes have a hard time showing off our Rockstar talents and abilities.  LinkedIn is not the place for modesty, it’s the place to claim your expert status, loud and proud.  If you need someone to help with that, I’m happy to be of service.  Set up a free Business Boost call and we’ll jump start your profile together.

Tip number four – get someone to help you claim your expertise loud and proud

So you have homework!

  1. Make your profile visible.
  2. Tweak your profile
  3. Join a group
  4. Get some help

Tip number five, connect with ME!  I love my LinkedIn connections.  www.linkedin.com/in/karenyankovich/ (notice how clean and pretty my link is?  What does your link look like?)

If you want a quick review with tips for YOUR LinkedIn profile, connect with me and comment below with a link to your profile.  I’ll give you some feedback on my initial impressions for a quick boost to your profile.

I’m looking forward to our connection!

karen-signature copy