it’s who finds you - transform a “vanilla” linkedin profile into a “contact me now”...

The Chief Storyteller

® Turns Your Business Stories into Results

Copyright © 2010. The Chief Storyteller

®, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Tip Guide 06-070 www.TheChiefStoryteller.com 1 of 5

Email [email protected] today to learn more about how to build stronger and more profitable relationships

It’s Who Finds You Transform a “Vanilla” LinkedIn Profile into a “Contact Me Now” Profile Tips 1 through 10

e are sure that you are familiar with the adage, “People prefer to do business with those whom they know, like, and trust.” And how about, “It’s who you know”? Well, in LinkedIn, the operative

phrase is “It’s who knows you.” If you are looking to expand your business, grow your network, find a new job, locate like-minded business professionals, the question is not, “Are you using LinkedIn?” Rather, the question is, “Are you using LinkedIn effectively?” The power lies with leveraging your existing relationships—your first degree connections—to make introductions to folks in their networks (second and third degree). It is just like the Fabergé shampoo commercial from the 1970s: The woman using the shampoo says “I told two friends about Fabergé organic shampoo and they told two friends and they told two friends and so on and so on.” While LinkedIn is easy to setup, there are over 30 tweaks and little known ways of making it more valuable to you. Here are our top ten tips. Tips 11 through 30 are contained in additional tip guides. 1. Make Your Professional Headline Stand Out Make a first impression that screams, “Read me now.” How? Use the Professional Headline field. While LinkedIn populates it with your current title and company, the secret is that it is changeable. Click [Edit] beside your title, as shown in Exhibit 1—Before (see ). A compelling headline is the foundation of business storytelling. Such a headline can pique the interest of the reader and motivate her to read on. 2. Include a Professional Photograph With the rise of social media worldwide, people are accustomed to seeing a photograph with a name. As the line between the personal and the professional becomes increasingly blurred online, it is essential use only a professional quality photograph on your LinkedIn profile to convey your strongest image as a reliable and knowledgeable professional. Click [Add Photo] (see ). 3. Update Your Status When Relevant Keep your network informed of significant and relevant information with What are you working on? (see ). Examples include interesting travel; upcoming presentations, publications, blogs, and special reports; and future events.

W






4. Improve Your Credibility Ask for recommendations (see ) to demonstrate your credibility and capability. Recommendations serve as “mini” business stories to tout the benefits of working with you and your organization. Offer to help write it to ensure that your keywords, messages, and phrases are included in the testimonial. 5. Actively Expand The power of LinkedIn lies with your prospective network. Someone has to accept your invitation (see ), agree to your recommendation request, and approve a group request. What matters then is, “Who knows and trusts you.” Start expanding your network with active relationships such as current and former co-workers, current and former clients/members/partners, and classmates. 6. Whet Their Mental Appetite If a visitor makes his/her way down to your Summary (see ), generally you know that he/she is interested in you and your organization. Ensure you include an engaging and compelling elevator speech, high-level details and benefits of what you offer, and one or two brief success stories. 7. Join Groups Increase your reach by a factor 10 to 100 with groups. Join groups that count your prospective partners, clients, members, and industry leaders as members. Groups give you access to LinkedIn members two and three degrees away. Search the database of over 400,000 groups with keywords to locate ones right for you. Find the <Groups> link on the top left of your monitor directly below <Home>. 8. Position Yourself as an Expert Increase your credibility and exposure by answering questions and providing substantial educational value. Position yourself as an expert and go-to resource. You can answer questions posted by members of your network, groups you belong to, and the general LinkedIn population. 9. Ask Questions To complement Tip #8, ask questions of your network, groups, or the general population. Follow up with those who provide thoughtful answers to thank them and potentially join their network. Keep your questions relevant and succinct. 10. Evaluate Your Success, Regularly The greater the number of people reviewing your profile, the greater your potential reach and prospective network. Select <Home> to see “Who's viewed my profile?” in the middle of the right-hand column. The text shows information about the number of people who viewed your profile and number of times you appeared in a search. Revise your profile if either or both numbers are not consistently showing new values each day. Likely, you will need to revise your Headline, Status, and Summary with inspiring and compelling messages and keywords that resonate with your target audiences.






Exhibit 1—Before: New “Vanilla” LinkedIn Profile






Exhibit 2—After: “Tell Your Business Story” Profile






Consider Adding these Tip Guides to Your Library □ How to Design and Deliver a Compelling Elevator Speech: Tips 1 through 10 (Tip

Guide 01-044)

□ Moments of Impact: Create Your Own Opportunities to Build the Right Relationships (Tip Guide 02-015)

□ Inspire Action: Use Action Verbs to Develop Engaging and Compelling Messages (Tip Guide 06-080)

□ It's Who Knows You: Transform a “Vanilla” LinkedIn Profile into a “Contact Me Now” Profile, Tips 11 through 20 (Tip Guide 06-071)

About The Chief Storyteller

® We turn your business stories into results. Business stories are messages you share verbally, in print, and online. Your answer to “What Do You Do?” (Elevator Speech), presentations, brochures, proposals, position papers, website, and everything in between are all examples. We develop and implement high impact business storytelling and strategic messaging programs. These programs help you achieve the revenue/outreach/development results you want. Charles Schwab, CDC, and the American Diabetes Association have trusted us to help tell their stories.

To sign up for our free newsletter, visit:

www.TheChiefStoryteller.com/cc

Visit our blog for tips, insights, and conversations on various business storytelling topics: www.ChiefStoryteller.com

Contact The Chief Storyteller

® [email protected] or +1 (301) 718 - 8368

Not for resale, give-away, display, or duplication. Not to be published in whole or part without prior written permission from The Chief Storyteller®, LLC.

Cost $ 9.98