Did you know that LinkedIn, the professional social networking platform, has actually been around longer than Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram? But it's more relevant now than ever.
Why? Because it hosts more than 600 million professional profiles, which means nearly an unlimited supply of network connections and job opportunities. From seeking a new job to maintaining your personal brand, LinkedIn is an important part of being a full-fledged professional in any industry these days.
Writing your LinkedIn profile is more labor-intensive, but it’s an extremely valuable
1/ Have a current, hi-res picture(Professional Looking Profile). According to LinkedIn, profiles with pictures get a 40% InMail response rate.
2/ Make your headline a mini value proposition. Don’t just use your title. Most of the profiles state “ Am an Sales Professional with XX amount of years” or Highly talented Sales Professional with varied selling skills. These are the common mistakes that anyone makes in setting up their profile.
Consider answering two questions in your headline:
This will help you potential buyer or an employer to stand and read out your profile.
3/ Write a 3X3 summary -- three paragraphs with three or fewer sentences each. Reiterate your value proposition in the first, and provide some social proof of how you help clients achieve results in the second. Include a concise call to action in the last that explains why and how a buyer should reach out to you.
4/ Post a few pieces of visual content that will be helpful to your buyer.
5/ Write the experience section with an emphasis on how you enabled customers to improve their businesses -- not how many times or by how much you exceeded quota.
6/ Seek recommendations from customers to increase your credibility.
7/ Add Professional Development Certifications, to let your customers know that you are constantly updating yourself. Join groups that your buyers / industry experts are in.
If you wish you to learn more about 21st Century Selling Skills, connect with me at manojsundaram@gmail.com
