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How to Create a LinkedIn Profile That Sells!

Guest post by: Gerry Black

Article Overview: Leveraging the tremendous power of LinkedIN as a business building tool starts with the creation of a compelling profile. Your LinkedIn Profile is very important because it's what anyone who refers you will use as an introduction starting point. If it's weak, they won't want to send anyone in their network to it. This article identifies 6 ways you can inject some selling power into your LinkedIn profile.

How to Create a LinkedIn Profile That Sells!

Leveraging the tremendous power of LinkedIn as a business building tool starts with the creation of a compelling profile.

Your LinkedIn Profile is very important because it's what anyone who refers you will use as

an introduction starting point.

If it's weak, they won't want to send anyone in their network to it.

This article identifies 6 ways you can inject some selling power into your LinkedIn profile.

1. Use your usual name. The one people know you by. And the one they will search on. If your clients and prospects know you as Bill Baker and you use William Baker, chances are they won't find you.

2. Include your picture. And use one that shows you smiling. Remember, this is where you have an opportunity to send a message that you are a pleasant person to associate with. The last thing you want to do is look like the latest misbehaving celebrity on The Smoking Gun mug shot list.

3. Use LinkedIn's Professional Headline to sell yourself. This is the most important part of your profile. When you join Groups in LinkedIn, a small profile of you will show up on the left hand side when you're participating in group activity. Gerry Black, Helping Small Businesses Identify and Fix Costly Marketing Gaps is going to give me a lot more marketing traction than Gerry Black, Owner, Relax Communications. Simply go into Edit Your Profile and edit your headline to say what you want it to say. Now! Or you won't do it.

4. In your profile, there's a line where you can list your website. You can leave the default at My Company or edit it to give the reader a clear message about what you offer. The hyperlink to my site says, Marketing and Copywriting Help. Try to put something there that will make people click if they have an interest in what you offer. Google will pick up on this as well. Google likes LinkedIN.

5. If you display your Twitter link, make sure it isn't set to "Yes, share all Tweets." LinkedIn is a business environment. Not all Tweets are business related. You will upset some people if you're a frequent Tweeter or Twitterer and prone to ranting about your neighbour's cat or why the good laundry detergent never goes on sale.

6. In your Public Profile, make sure your name is there. Also, in the Summary section, use plain English. Save the jargon and buzzwords for your Specialty section.

That's it for today. See ya next week.

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Article Tags: LinkedIn profile, LinkedIn tips, social media marketing



Related Forum Posts
Re: On Which Social Media Sites Are You Most Active? - I'd be curious to hear how you guys use LinkedIn. I have close to 3,000 connections and never use it. I've been told the secret is to use groups (which I don't) so I'd love to hear how you guys are benefiting from LinkedIn.
Re: Twiiter an sales - [quote="soldlab":1ycb8vnm]I guess though LinkedIn is better for actual leag generation and personal contacts. What do you think?[/quote:1ycb8vnm] I've had a lot more success (thus far) with Twitter than LinkedIn or Facebook.
Re: The Storm Brace a new invention - Hi Breck, To add your signature, click on "User Control Panel" above, then click on "Profile" and then "Edit Signature". You can also add a photo via the "Edit Avatar" link in the Profile section. DH
Re: Social Media Effectively? - Personally, I use social media to build my company brand in order to get awareness of the various franchises I work with. I am active on LinkedIn and Twitter (@DougSchadle), always posting information about the franchise opportunities I work with. I have started discussions and basically just try to get the word out there. Also, I turned one of my clients to social media as well. I work with Doctors Express, the first national urgent care franchise, expanding their franchise base. They are quickly spreading throughout the country and I told the founder to jump on to Twitter and LinkedIn as well. He just started a few weeks ago (Twitter handle @Doctors_Express) and tells me he is loving it. He is posting different medical issues he sees and is tweeting about Doctors Express. He is joining medical groups on LinkedIn and trying to connect to other doctors. So in short, I do think franchises can be very successful with social media, they just have to put in the time to do it.
Re: 15 Ways You Can Look Amazing on LinkedIn - I agree with GT in that this advice can be applied to more than just LinkedIn. Excellent tips!


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