Thanks for attending the LinkedIn workshop series with LinkedIn Expert Jo Saunders. To get value from LinkedIn it is important to optimise your profile, build your network and establish credibility through content creation, curation and engagement.
- Workshop 1 – LinkedIn Powerful Positioning
- Workshop 2 – LinkedIn Network Building
- Workshop 3 – LinkedIn Content Publishing
See the action steps, reminders and resources for each workshop below. Work through the steps, review the slides, refer to the LinkedIn Profile Blueprint and review your progress to see how you score at the beginning and end of this program via this Quiz.
Capture the LinkedIn Social Selling Index to get a score our of 100 now, and again after the final workshop. It should increase, but the aim is to increase and maintain it, not to try to get to 100. It is useful to gamify and add accountability, but what really matters is engaging the right people and converting them through action.
Workshop 1: LINKEDIN – POWERFUL POSITIONING
Your profile helps you get found and communicates your value 24/7. It is important to keep it up to date, so it is representing you aligned to your organisation, whether someone is actively looking for your expertise or they have been referred to you. It plays a huge part in search results – just google my name, or Rebecca’s to see where it shows up. It should also be attached to the brand which means anyone looking at the LJ Hooker City Residential Perth Page can discover you. Where does your profile show up and is it representing you to the best ability?
Your name, photo and headline are what I call your digital footprint – that piece of text is helping you get found and giving people context into what you do, to encourage viewing your profile and taking action. To get yours working effectively for you, get into the head of your ideal connections and clients – use the language that they use and understand.
Here is a reminder of the actions to build an optimised LinkedIn Profile;
- Review and update you LinkedIn footprint (name, photo and headline). Here are some components you can use;
Watch the video: How to update your Profile Headline to recap: How to Craft Your LinkedIn Headline // with Jo Saunders
- Update your background image
Size: 1584 x 396 pixels Tip – use Canva to create a collage.
- Craft your About section infusing your story, vision and values.
Up to 2,600 characters to;
- Capture attention
- Create attraction
- Compel action
As a reminder here is the framework;
- Teaser – Capture attention – Future Statement/Q (~200-250 characters)
- Impact – unpack the problem you solve
- Who do you work with?
- How do you solve the problems?
- What qualifies you- achievements, qualifications, experience
- Why? What is your purpose & big vision? And what are you passionate about?
- What Next – invite action (call / email / book)
- Add a name pronunciation (voice recording) on mobile
Examples:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/josaunders
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrybozin/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelbourkesalesspace/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiesmithupsidestraining/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendytansey/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/regsorrell/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmenbraidwood/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferhollowaypersonalbrand/
- Review the Experience section
- Review title
- Ensure you are connected to the organisation Page
- Add a description about the role, the problems you solve for your clients and community and the impact
- Update and rearrange your skills, get endorsed for key skills and seek recommendations.
- Identify content to add to the Featured section including blogs, video, LinkedIn Articles, and posts previously shared.
- Update Contact details to ensure your email address and phone number are accurate. Include up to 3 key links to web links, and customise your profile URL.
- Determine if you would like to turn off the People Also Viewed section (AKA Squattters).
Me > Settings & Privacy > Account Preferences > People Also Viewed
- If you are brave or creative add a Cover Story Video behind your profile photo
Examples;
- Animated video: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camilleblyth-contentmarketing/
- Video montage: https://www.linkedin.com/in/regsorrell
- Talking head: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josaunders
- Talking head: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferhollowaypersonalbrand/
- Talking head with captions: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmenbraidwood/detail/profile-cover-story
- Production: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffyoungralemoi/detail/profile-cover-story/
- Produced intro: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielknowlton1/detail/profile-cover-story/
RESOURCES
- Download my slides to recap the session.
- Refer to my LinkedIn Profile Blueprint to access my frameworks to update your own profile.
LinkedIn Profile Blueprint Updates
If you would like to receive an update of my blueprint whenever it is updated (as LinkedIn changes) then feel free to sign up for updates via this LINK.
ACTIONS
- Update your LinkedIn ProfileWhat are your top 3 actions or tips you took away from the presentation? Email me, message me or share with an image and @mention me on LinkedIn, or your social media platform of choice. If you or your organisation need some guidance or support, feel free to get in touch.
5 LinkedIn Mistakes
- 3rd Person – It is hard to connect with someone talking about themselves, so write in the first person.
- 1-way communication – Talking AT your network isn’t the best way to build relationships – Engage and talk WITH them.
- Incomplete – Minimal info and gaps can lead to questions. Increase your visibility and impact by completing each section of your profile.
- Out of date – If you haven’t touched your profile for 5 years, now is the time to review it. Update your profile images and content often to reflect who and where you are now.
- Not having one! – Not being found can hurt your professional brand. Make it easy for others to find, engage and reference you. Invest in your digital footprint.
Workshop 2: LINKEDIN NETWORK BUILDING
Connect or follow the people you discover or meet, the organisations they work with, and the people you want to influence.
- Who are the decision-makers that you could follow or connect to?
- Who else works for or with the organisations you want to be known by?
- Follow the company page and start mentioning individuals at the organisation.
Here is a reminder of the key actions to take to build your network;
Reactive Activity
- Review connection requests
- Review notifications
- Review messages
- Review the home feed
Proactive Activity
- Use Boolean search combined with filters to find specific groups of people, such as referral partners and investors
- Review results and identify ideal connections to engage with and connect to
- Create a list of 20 prospect to review on a regular basis
- Reconnect with relevant existing connections via message or voice message
Example Networking Process
- Search
- View profile
- Review Activity for an opportunity to engage
- Connect with personal message
- Respond once they accept/ reply
- Continue to look for opportunities to engage
- When appropriate, invite to a meeting
- Nurture the relationship
Remember that if you are viewing profiles, they will know, which is generally a good thing. If you want to view discreetly, go into private mode;
Me > Settings & Privacy > Visibility > Profile Viewing Options
RESOURCES
ACTIONS
- Review your current network and connection strategy – slow it down & practice search
Workshop 3: LINKEDIN CONTENT PUBLISHING
Creating, curating and conversing on LinkedIn allows you to reach your network beyond your 1stdegree connections. Focus on posting content that adds value not volume and put 90% of your focus into relationship-building activities. Post and engage consistently to increase your visibility and credibility for yourself and your organisation, and take the time to join conversations (which is also part of your content footprint) to build influence.
ACTIONS
- Review your content strategy – align to how you want to be known
- Review your engagement strategy