6 Quick Tips for Perfecting Your LinkedIn Profile for Social Selling
Have you ever looked up a buyer or customer on LinkedIn? My guess is that you have, and chances are good that your buyers and customers have done the same to you. They’ve researched you to see what kind of person and what kind of company they’re dealing with.
How you portray yourself on social media matters. So, with no further ado, here are six tips to get the most out of your profile.
1. Include a Professional Photo
Profiles with photos receive a 40% higher InMail response rate. Why? People like to see to whom they are speaking. So, include a professional photo of yourself.
Operative word: professional. LinkedIn tends to be a more buttoned-up social network. So, it’s worth having a quality head shot taken. In other words, don’t choose a photo from your college spring break or one from your sister’s wedding where you had to crop the rest of the bridal party out of frame.
2. Write a Descriptive Headline
The text underneath your name is your headline. After your photo, it’s the first thing people see when looking at your profile.
Many people use their job title as their headline, but don’t follow the crowd. Be different. Explain how you can help your clients. For example, you might write, “Helping financial services organizations transform their hiring practices.”
Bonus tip: Use keywords that your buyers may search for. That way, your profile is easily discoverable.
3. Customize Your URL
Each profile has a public URL (a.k.a. a web address). By creating a custom URL, people can find you easier when they use search engines. Plus, your URL looks great on a business card. For example, here’s mine: http://www.linkedin.com/in/markbajus
Need help? Check out this resource from LinkedIn.
4. Spend Time on Your Summary
After your photo and headline, your summary (a.k.a. your bio) is the most commonly read portion of your profile.
Use this area to tell your story to your buyer – not a hiring manager. Your buyer doesn’t care whether you crushed your quota. Instead, your buyer wants to know how you can add value and what insights you can offer. Focus on those questions.
5. Add Your Contact Information
Once you connect with a prospect or colleague, you’ll want to make it easy for them to contact you. Add your company email address and phone number. And don’t worry about spammers. Your contact information is visible only to your connections.
6. Add Links and Rich Media to Your Profile
Your marketing department has created fantastic content for you. Make your LinkedIn profile one more place where prospects can access and download ebooks, presentations, and success stories. Upload files from your computer or link to them.
Not sure how? Here’s a resource for you.
Ready for More?
Now that you know how to make a good first impression on LinkedIn, it’s time to expand. Check out our Definitive Cheat Sheet for Social Sellers to learn more tips and tricks.