LinkedIn is often overshadowed by the popularity of Twitter and Facebook for entrepreneurs looking to promote their business. However a recent study conducted by HubSpot, found that traffic generated by LinkedIn produced a visitor-to-lead conversion rate that was almost three times higher (277%) than both Twitter (69%) and Facebook (77%). Demonstrating that the site, which was once thought of as a glorified recruitment search board, is now a valuable business-to –business marketing tool. As long as you know how to use it.
This article is the first of two, which will help you turn your LinkedIn profile into a lead generating machine. This article, will concentrate on optimizing your personal profile. The second will focus on using it as a marketing tool.
9 Tips for Developing Your Personal Profile
Think about the last person that wanted to set up a meeting with you. If they’re not someone you’ve spoken to in the last few months, you probably looked them up on Google, didn’t you? And what was the first result you clicked on? Most likely their LinkedIn profile. And your potential clients will probably do the same to you.
Your personal profile on LinkedIn must be viewed as an extension of your business card. A quick and easy way for potential clients to decide if you are worthy of their time.
1. Get a Good Photo
Don’t get creative with your photo, people want to see your face! Once you’ve uploaded an image, make use of the cropping tools which are provided on LinkedIn to make sure your face takes up as much of the frame as possible. If someone is going to a meeting with you they’re going to want to pick you out of a crowd.
2. Don’t Leave your Professional Headline Blank
The Professional Headline is often a forgotten field of the LinkedIn profile, but one of the most important ones. It’s the first thing that a client will read after your name. It’s the introduction to who you are. Don’t try to get clever and risk being misunderstood, just state clearly what you do and who you do it for.