Are you on LinkedIn but not really getting results?
Or perhaps you have a great profile but you are not spending any time on the platform.
I’ve been there before.
And I turned it around so that now LinkedIn is the biggest way that I connect with friends, colleagues and ideal prospects.
It doesn’t take hours a day. Just a few updates to your profile and a comment to connect for a few minutes daily can yield big results. But, consistency is the key.
In one year, with the tips I share below, my profile grew from fifteen-hundred connections on Linkedin to over six-thousand global connections and relationships with successful CEOs.
LinkedIn helped me refine my brand and engage with a solid network of business founders and entrepreneurs.
Feeling lost on where to start? Here are 8 steps you need to take to polish your LinkedIn Profile and engage with other founders and CEOs.
1. Update your profile photo.
This seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many profiles I come across with blurry, outdated pictures.
Your profile picture is the first thing people see about your profile. You want to make sure the headshot you choose is clear, features you well, and reflects your business.
LinkedIn’s talent blog dives into the art of a great headshot more. Check out their article here: (https://www.linkedin.com/business/talent/blog/product-tips/tips-for-taking-professional-linkedin-profile-pictures)
2. Have your banner be you “in the wild.”
Here’s where the fun begins.
Your LinkedIn banner is an opportunity for you to display how you engage with your community. This could be:
- You working in your office.
- You mingling with attendees at a networking event.
- You speaking at a conference or seminar.
Unlike your headshot, your banner doesn’t have to be “professionally” taken. The keywords with this picture are movement and engagement. Something that shows how you behave and perform in your community and workplace.
3. Make your headline speak to your target audience.
Also known as your bio, your LinkedIn profile’s headline should state exactly who your target market is. It should speak to that demographic, and make them want to engage with you.
Try to keep your headline to one full sentence..
My headline on LinkedIn is
Agency and organization founders work with me when they are finally ready to claim their CEO IdentityTM and gain momentum on their strategic plan. Author. Speaker.
With it, I state who I am and who I want to work with. It’s that simple!
4. Your “About” Section does NOT Equal your resume.
This area is easy to get stuck in. That’s why it’s important to remember that you’re not writing a resume.
Your “About” section is the chance for you to describe your business in detail.
Be sure you answer these questions?
- Who do you work with?
- Why does your business work?
- What are others saying about your business?
- What makes your business different from others?
- How can people contact you?
My friend and colleague Cat Stancik has an AMAZING “About” section. She clearly and concisely answers these questions. You can view her profile here: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/catstancik/)
5. Don’t be humble with your certifications.
This is the time to show off those fancy degrees, licenses, and volunteer work. Don’t be afraid to list it all!
Keep in mind that your education is not limited to where you went to college. Add any classes or online courses you’ve taken over the past few years.
Your certifications work the same way.
A certificate of study that you received training for: Sales, Leadership, Marketing, etc, all of these count! If you took a class about it, put it down!
6. Comb through your connections
This is the time to be choosy!
Accept profiles connection with a clear, visible picture. Feel free to ignore lead-jump sites. Do you want to be connected with this person? Do they have a network you would like to be connected to? Are they an ideal prospect? Do they have information that would benefit you?
For connections you accept, make sure you view their profile! That way, the person will be notified that you viewed their profile, and are interested in what they have to offer.
After you accept their request, send them a message. Thank them for connecting with you, and write something they mentioned on their profile that you connect with. For instance, if a connection’s profile says they live in the UK, ask them how their business has been affected by [insert relevant current event in their area that could pertain to their work/business].
Doing this gives you the chance to make GLOBAL connections you can’t make through any other platform, as well as follow-up with people who reach out to you.
This really works.
7. “People You May Know”
Another important step.
LinkedIn’s “People You May Know” feature is your best friend! Oftentimes, these are people you do know!
Aim to connect with ten to twenty-five people from this list who are in your target audience daily. If they accept your request, be sure to send them a personalized message, too.
I’ve met some of my closest connections through my “People You May Know” section, clients and colleagues that are still a part of my network.
8. Engage Daily
Yes. Daily.
LinkedIN recommends daily posts, but these don’t always require a degree in writing! Theses posts can be:
- Forwarding a relevant article.
- Commenting on worldwide events.
- Sharing business tips or strategies.
Keep in mind, this is not Facebook. All of your LinkedIn posts should relate to business or spark conversation.
Towards the end of the initial COVID outbreak, I made several posts describing my experience dining inside a restaurant again after months of lockdown. With each post, I asked how other people’s local businesses were operating under the newly-updated COVID restrictions.
Something that required ten minutes of my time resulted in an outpouring of engagement on my LinkedIn profile, which led to connections, which led to clients.
And there you have it. These simple steps helped my online presence soar and provide fuel for building a solid network of colleagues and leads. I’m proud to say that I’m the CEO of my own company, The Sappari Group.
We’re an organization that helps business founders and entrepreneurs step fully into their role as CEO, claiming their CEO Identity. We host weekly peer discussion groups topics like LinkedIn, leadership, team management, productivity, and more. Click the link below to join us:
