LinkedIn(R) – Use to Get Recognized as an Expert in Your Industry

   LinkedIn®(LI) is marketing tool that can help you get recognized as an expert in your industry.  It is an extremely powerful marketing tool of which we can all benefit.  I am a coach and teacher on how to create an effective LI profile.  Recently I provided a presentation on LI to my networking chapter which is made up of 16 members.  I was amazed by previewing all of our members’ profiles as to how many have incomplete profiles.

The thing I’ve learned about LinkedIn® over the years is that most people think of this program as a tool for head hunters and recruiters.  This is true but if used to its fullest, LI can be a tool to find clients, to find untapped opportunities, and to be recognized as an expert in your industry.

For example, a couple of years ago, I received an opportunity to present a workshop at an event where the planner found me on LinkedIn® when she searched for a “business networking expert.”  My name came up first on that list because I have that term listed as my Headline (title).

Peggy’s Pointers on LinkedIn®:

  • Create all of your descriptive points in a word processor before you copy to LI.
  • The most important section of your LI profile is to create your Summary and include a career objective and a statement about who you are and what you do.
  • In addition, make sure that your Work Experience is complete on every company that you have listed.  Be very descriptive of the company and what product/service it provides; a statement about your job description; and a statement about any additional job responsibilities, including learned skill-set you have acquired.
  • Go through your entire profile and add information in each of the categories.  For example, even if you didn’t graduate from college but attended, include the information under the education category.
  • Draft a list of all of your expertise…leadership, software proficiency, publications, etc.  Include your skills in bullet form at the bottom of the Summary.
  • Engage with your connections regularly.  For example, under Notifications at the top of the Home page, will periodically list birthdays, work anniversaries, job changes/promotions.  Drop each one of your connections a short note just let them know you are thinking about them.  This is a great way to renew acquaintances of folks you haven’t seen or touched base with in a long time.
  • In the Interest section, you can follow Influencers, Companies, Groups, Schools.  Follow those people and companies that are of interest to you is a good way to know what is going on with each of them.

Finally, do not be bashful about your accomplishments and/or skill set.  You never know when you just might have particular expertise that a prospective employer needs for their next project or job.

Peggy P. Edge (c) 2017

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