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Kim: Achieving an All-Star LinkedIn Profile

The interesting part about lengthen is that it's one of those things that so many people set it and forget it. How many who has a right? Okay, Um does ever Does anybody know if they have? Yes, see that? Let's see that smile. It's true. Across the board, I see so many people who will say this, and yet it is an amazing platform. There's so much potential. Literally, you could take any one social media platform. And if you just leveraged it time wise and effort, um, you could do great things with it. I'm a firm believer in that, um, but one of the biggest problems that I see on LinkedIn is that people never get their profiles to 100% completion. And did you know that your 40% more likely to be found on linked in if you have 100%? Ah, completed profile. So it's important to have a complete, complete profile, and many people over 50% of people have don't have a complete profile, so that takes 50% of the people out of the mix, you know, 60% of the time. Not cool, right? If you're one of thos...

e people. So you definitely don't, Uh, you definitely want to have a complete profile. And that was what I was going to share with you today. How you get your profile? 200% completion, cause it's the first step of really leveraging LinkedIn. Um, and again, having that robust linked in profiles The key to building out your foundation on linked in, um and this is what it will look like on LinkedIn. If you have a profile strength, it'll get you. It's all star Essentially is what it is, and it will give you an indicator of where you are. Um, if you're 90% or if you're 50% or whatever, it will prompt you to tell, you know, so that you can get the extra pieces and put them in the inn in place. But it's really key, honestly, to building out your network on LinkedIn. Um, adding a profile photo make sure profile seven times more likely to be found in searches. It's also one of those things, and this is true for every social media platform. Don't be the egghead on Twitter, you know, put a photo of yourself up there. Yeah, I even see people who are. You know, we'll put their dog or their cat, and I don't do that either. It will be my recommendation. It's not that your dog or your cats not great. Don't definitely not over that. It's not important to you. But people are looking to connect to people and being, You know, if you're in business, have a nice professional photo of yourself just ahead shot. And you know it's a connection point again. A smiling photo of yourself use using the wrong type of photo can be even worse than having no photo at all. Essentially, So having that personal photo is or professional photos is big. Create, um, an information headline. You know, this is what most people look at when they first connect with you on fit on LinkedIn. So, you know, make these. I can't state this more clearly or more strongly. Uh, LinkedIn is keyword driven, as is a lot of social platforms, incidentally, so you'll hear me harp on keywords a lot. But if you're trying to be found on linked and use the terminology that people are searching for you around, so you know I've got social media strategist, social media consultant, social media and business coach. Social media speaker. I mean, technically, some of those air very interchangeable, right? I mean, you could I mean, as you start defining yourself But these air, the types of key word strings that people are looking for me or looking? Not necessarily. Not that they know they're looking for bay. But if they want to find somebody like me, then there, looking for these terms. So this headline is Ah is huge. You have 100 20 characters. So again it goes back. Teoh, you know, making sure they know who you are and what you do out the gate. Ah, your messaging is very important here, Justus. Well, as it is on your other platforms, eso again you could even share. You know what defines you makes you different. Unique. Uh, whatever the case may be, you have social media in your headline. There about four times are so yes, I guess that's on purpose. Because that's a key word that you're interested in. People finding you on? Yes. And it's also if you were to look at my profile, you'll notice that I have a ton of keyword density, meaning I'm social Media's laden on my profile. I mean, I've used it a lot. Social media strategy consultant I mean every possible word that you could possibly attach the social media. I've leveraged it in my my profile there. Now, when you pull when you're searching for social media, strategist or social media consultant on linked in, I usually come up on page one or page two, and the reason I come up on Page one or Page two is because I have just loaded it down with those keywords. So it's important. The key words are important on lengthen. It is not just in the in the top part here, it's correct. And throughout every correctly section. Yes, and that's basically just a way to optimize your profile, to get better search results. That's a strategy. Thank you. So I'm just starting. Ah, new business now And I'm really kind of just getting into it, and it doesn't have a lot to do with work that I've had before. So does it. It is it Does it negatively affect me that, you know, my last job was jewelry and now it's fitness, you know, it used to be communications. And now it's health and wellness. No, I don't necessarily think it does. I mean, if you have a history of being in this in the same space, If you're I guess, Prey, perhaps if you're in the corporate world and you have a you know, um, history of, ah, particular work skill set. Then there's some We'll wait to be lended to that, but I think for you being a solo entrepreneur and starting out and doing something different that around something that you're passionate about. No, I don't think that that's gonna hurt you one bit. And then just continue. Teoh. Yeah, add in all those keywords relevant. Don't don't dismiss the other things that you think don't apply because that shows that you have work history, so make sure you use them. But don't dwell on whether it's gonna hurt you. I don't think it will hurt you a bit. Okay, when you say weighted down where Where you doing this? In every in every section of your profile you have like your work history. I've laden weighted it down in my work history, every section in your skills there's different sections within your profile on LinkedIn. We'll show you some of those as we go through these, but every one of them. I've made a very concentrated effort to put a lot of key words in there because it's very similar to Google in that, you know, it's density, you know, keep. Although, honestly, Google, I don't think is given near as much, um, wait to density anymore. Well, we know they're not so, But again, for purposes of linked in the density of your profile, the keyword density of your profile is important. It'll get you, um, you know, if your depends on let me let me step back from that Just a minute. I'm in a very competitive field, so I So this man and I probably should make this distinction. I am in a very competitive field, and I want to come up on page one or two. If you're in a field that is not as competitive. You may not have to be so aggressive with the keyword strategy, because you may come right to the top by using your keywords a couple of times. But in my case, you know, it's a little bit different. So if you're in you know what was your business? One more time Photography, photography, photography might be a little bit tough to. There's probably a lot of photographers on there, but what makes you need you unique? And then what are people searching for you around? You know, if it's wedding photography or if it's, you know, personal photo photography or, you know, whatever that would be. How you would start Teoh. Define and build at your uniqueness, actually to bring up photographers on Lincoln. We have a few questions from the chatroom. Michelle underscore Why? And Photo Girl? They're photographers, but they also have other area of background. One is where you go and has a degree. Environmental studies. Another one was a full time educator. Would they do separate linked in profiles or just keep it on the one I'm, uh, I'm a big proponent of a personal brand. We talked about this earlier, and so many people try to segment who they are and what really it goes back to. I ask this question earlier, and it's true again. What is the one constant in your business? You? It doesn't matter whether it's photography or your kids or whether you enjoy cooking or whether it's the fact that you sell branding packages. You know, we can be multifaceted, right? You don't have to segment yourself. So stop trying to segment yourself and and but bottom line here, we're talking about social media being tough to manage it all. Why in the world would you have three fan pages? Can you manage one? I mean, why would you have to linked in profiles? It's hard to be in multiple places at multiple times, so it's It's big, I think, just to maintain one presence and roll them in. And I know a lot of people say, Well, I can't do that. How people are looking for me on, you know, is a photographer and they're looking at me for this. Um, try to find some balance and, you know, just do the one presence would be my recommendation. Okay, complete the summary section. This is a summary. We were talking about the different areas within your profile, and this is one of the things that a lot of people omit to. Actually, all of these little areas are, you know, places that you could put key information in, and yet a lot of people are admitting these areas. So you know, the summary section of your linked in profile is your basically your elevator pitch for lack of a better way. You know, it's one of the first things that people see when they is there, scrolling down your profile. So what do you want people to know about you? You know, that's very short and sweet that they can get ah, highlight of or a window into what it is that you dio. Um, there's a great ways. And again we talked about this, and a lot of you mentioned that. Ah, a lot of what you picked up yesterday was about the story. Tell your story, paint a picture of yourself, but you're on LinkedIn say, Remember to try to keep it of a professional town. It's not like you can't, um, I mean, you wouldn't you know, But muse, common sense. Bottom line. I think that's the best best way to describe that one. Your experience. Lincoln says that stating that states that having your two most recent positions make your profile 12 times more likely to be found, you know, lots of times if you don't have previous work history. Or like you said, you think it doesn't apply to what you're currently doing. People just leave it out. Don't leave it out. You know, make sure you put it in there just so that you have, Ah, work history. I see a lot of millennials, you know, doing this. Who, You know, they don't have a lot of work history or they worked at Wal Mart, you know, when they were coming along. And they like, Well, that doesn't have anything to do with what I'm doing now, but it shows consistent work history, so definitely include it. Plus, you have to have at least two on on linked in to get your your profile to 100%. So the experience areas big and add skills and expertise. There's a lot of, um, you know, you can do endorsements and stuff now on linked in. A lot of people are saying, Well, there was the value in this, you know, I get a lot of people who will who have said that. And while the endorsements are probably not as value as a recommendation, they are definitely valuable from the standpoint of social proof, you know when people come to your profile and people have given you, um, you've listed out all your skill sets and then people are endorsing you for them than it shows that. You know, you have some validity. I think so. I think there is some value to them. The skills and expertise section of your linked in profile gives you an opportunity to show specific and detail areas of your expertise. They will give you some suggestions, but be creative here, you know, because again, this is a part of the key word strategy that I spoke of earlier. Um, you know, social media marketing, online marketing, Facebook, social media. I mean, you can see a lot of the, um, skills that I have listed have social media in them. But again, it's great way, Teoh leverage the keyword density and to build out the value of your skill set so that people know and you can actually go into linked in. And they'll give you a whole list of suggestions based on. You know, if you start typing something in, it will start popping up suggestions. So again, be creative, and then your education. One of the benefits of adding the school you attended is that it allows your alumni to connect with you on lengthen, so make sure you add your education in ah and then get connected. Ah, Lincoln requires that you have at least 50 or more connections in order to achieve a completed profile. I'm also going to give you a tip on where you can connect with other people. Is anybody ever heard of? Top linked in dot com? Well, top linked in dot com is is a service where you can go and you subscribe to their I think they have a free they used Teoh. I don't hold me accountable to this. I'm almost positive a free version and then a paid version and you can get on a list there, and then people will connect with you. In other words, they have agreed to be a connection point so that you could build out your connections there. All business people, um, have have linked in profiles doesn't always mean they're your ideal client. So you know, if you want to build out a, um, very quality based presence on lengthen than be choosy. If you're looking to get your 50 or more connections to get your you know, your profile up on going and toe look like you have an active presence on LinkedIn. Then you might use top linked and edge. Add your skills and expertise in with a little bit of effort you can really turn your profile into on All Star profile. It's again. It goes back to, you know, building out that personal brand for yourself, or if you're even a business, if you're branded your business, it's a way to showcase that question. Specific questions now that we've just did a very just kind of I mean, there's so much so linked in. And I just wanted something that you guys could run with, and this is the first thing that is probably the most important piece of your linked in profile is getting that all star profile so that you're 100% well, we have questions. Go ahead. Where do you find your clients most utilizing linked in, and how it's profiting and benefiting their business? Well, it's great for me to be obviously and B to C as well, so it depends on the structure of your business and you know where who? Your ideal client ISS. But most of honestly, there's a lot of my clients that set it up. And if they're found and there's leads generated, great. But they're not active on LinkedIn. In other words, they're not a lot of the application. The LinkedIn is in groups, you know, being active and engaging on linked in. Most of my clients don't do that piece. Basically, we've leveraged the the profile, optimizing the profile and the being found part of LinkedIn so that they are found and leads are generated on. We've actually built outsells funnels for many of our clients. You know, we go through the process of initial contact to following up Teoh, you know, turning them into long term into a client for the client, for air clients. Uh, same we do. They have the same system for us because a lot of people do find us on linked an um, and there's a lot of our ideal clients on. Lincoln would be saying for you business owners who are looking to find help with their social media and then one once let's say once they found you through linked in, are you keeping them on Lincoln or you re directing them to other social sites to kind of back. It's better round you out. Or how does how does it work? Once when somebody's found you, then then what's the process used? Do you stay within those groups or do you normally they will contact you directly, you know, like a direct message on Facebook, etcetera. So we usually keep them on linked in because they may not be on Facebook. They may not be on Twitter. That's the other interesting thing is Ah, lot of business owners leverage linked in tow find exactly what they're looking for. They may not be in other places yet. Expect from my business model anyway. Um, but you could you could send them to start communicating with them through email. You absolutely could. So it depends on you know, a lot of times I try to caution people from redirecting people to other places simply because that's where people they connected with you there. That's where they're comfortable. So don't take them somewhere else. That makes sense. Thank you. Okay, so we have a lot of people who want 12 questions. Yes, but a lot of people are asking about who to connect with on LinkedIn. So getting requests from random people that they don't know and what is the importance as from snappy gourmet and defend a telly. I once heard that you shouldn't accept a linked in connection unless this is someone that you are willing to do r ask a favor for. So are you looking for high quality connections? Well, I think that goes back. Teoh. Basically, I touched on this a little bit ago. Where, you know, are you looking to build out a quality community? And I would that would be my first recommendation. Yes, that you build a quality community. Um, and when I say quality, it doesn't necessarily have to be your ideal client or prospect. It could be somebody you're interested in doing business with, you know? So it doesn't have to be that you're just building out a bunch of of connections with people that you think will hire you. It could be people that you just think are interesting and have some value to you from a personal and or business standpoint. Um, so I that would be My first recommendation is to be choosy and choose the right people versus just everybody on on LinkedIn. Twitter. There's a little bit different. There's a reciprocal that were never rolls off my tongue. But yes, there is the reciprocal thing on Twitter. We'll talk about that a little bit more when we hit Twitter. But on LinkedIn. Yeah, I think you probably should focus on building out the quality and just to follow just to follow up. Did you say oops, choosing You have been using well and honestly, a lot of us. When we started saying with Facebook, I wasn't choosy with my personal profile, you know, there was a business pages at that time, so I have a lot of intermixed relationships on my personal profile. And so just to follow up on both of those because I see in here as well, a lot of people, including myself, worry that I'm going to offend someone. If I do not accept the requests. Whether that's Facebook linked in, do we just let go of that, or do you write them back? Or what do you do when you dont accept someone? I think it depends on how do you know that person? I mean, is it a personal relationship or I'm gonna say generally, Okay. I'm sure, you know, because, you know, just from a personal standpoint, that's a little dicey If you don't know them most of the time, If you you get a connection request and you don't, you don't accept it. Then they're not going to follow up with it. And that very rarely do you have somebody that's just so persistent. Want to connect? And hey, you haven't added me. Hey, you know, um, I would let it go. Thank you. So hard to let go. I enjoy this question because, I mean, there's a lot of our two people out there in our community call. Morgan asked. I didn't go to college. I worked for Apple. I started my own business right out of high school. How can I complete my profile if I didn't go to college? It always. I've always wondered this, and it doesn't seem fair. Oh, goodness. You don't need just a school hard knocks. Dude, you've got amazing resume. Um, college does not define who you are. You have It Sounds like just based off of what? What he This person has said that they've been very successful in a You know, I'm a big proponent of education just because I think it gives you options, but it doesn't define who you are. Your success by any measure, in my opinion, I mean, I've got a master's degree in, um, distance education that I've never earned one red cent with. So, you know, being successful in your own right, without education. Put it in there. Can you just leave it? But I would I would put the school of hard knocks. I mean, seriously or something. You know, you wouldn't necessarily have to do it. You could. You could be clever with it. And fun. It goes back to the fund piece because there's a lot of people who would value that. You've, You know, you started a business right out of high school. You've been successful. He worked for Apple. I mean, that's huge. Good. So completed. 100%. Yeah, complete it. 100%. Put something in there that person put couldn't put creative life. That's what I said. Because of that. That is what he was worried about. 100% completion, and I actually have creative live in there. So thank you. You know, education is it doesn't have to be formal education. It could be in any class that you've taken It could be any, like, certificate anything. Yeah. Great. Great point for myself. There's a big gap in my working history because I stopped to raise Children. So does that gap. No. I mean, that's kind of where I stop and go. Oh, that doesn't look super professional. Well, I'm guilty. Most people on I think a lot of companies or people were looking at your profile. They've realized, Hey, you know, she she was working. She obviously had Children. She stopped working. I mean, it's a natural progression for some women. In other words, who they step back from the careers to raise their Children, and then they come back into the workforce. So, no, I don't think that harms you, Um, at all, Uh, honestly, I think it speaks to your character