Not Asking for Recommendations

Recommendations are a clear indication that you do a good job and know what you are talking about. It’s crucial that you build then up.  There’s no reason why anyone shouldn’t be able have 10 recommendations. Most people don’t get any recommendations because they sit back and wait for someone to take the initiative. You have to take the initiative.

When you begin working with a new client connect with them on LinkedIn.  Once you’ve finished the project send them a recommendation request.  Keep the request simple and mention the work you did for them and then state “I’m using LinkedIn to build my online brand. If you feel the work that I did on your behalf exceeded your expectations I would appreciate your taking a moment to write a brief recommendation.”

Make your profile stand out

Ignore LinkedIn’s applications at your peril. They are there to take your profile from two dimensions to three.

The basic LinkedIn profile is just a lot of text. Yes, it tells people all of the relevant information but I believe it’s always better to “Show, don’t tell”.  Applications give you the opportunity to show what it is that you do.

You can post a PowerPoint or Keynote presentation, add a video, feed in your blog, add PDF files or Word documents, announce and RSVP Events, conduct Polls, share the books you’re reading (Amazon), and your Twitter feed. Adding any of these apps’ brings your profile to life, it adds an extra dimension.

You can communicate a message or information in whatever format you choose on LinkedIn. Start going through your resources to see what information will help you tell others what it is that you do and how you can help them. 

If you don’t have a blog try WordPress, it’s easy to use. You can also try creating a presentation to share, just be sure to make it interesting by including more than just bullet points. Load up those brochures, white papers, and one-pagers.  

Express Yourself

Your profile should let visitors know who you are. I recommend that this includes areas that highlight all your career milestones and provide an opportunity to add keywords into your profile.

Begin your profile with your elevator pitch. There’s no reason it shouldn’t work the same way on your profile as it does when you’re talking to someone face to face.  The rest of your summary should answer key questions: “Who you are”, “How you help people”, and “How they can help you” One area of missed opportunity is failing to add in your previous employment.  People want to know the path you travelled from college to your current position. Not including this might raise questions with the person reading it.  There’s also an opportunity to include keywords into your job descriptions.

Use your summary to add information like specialties, interests and awards. You might also consider including your phone number and your personal contact information. When you write job descriptions write them from the perspective of how that job contributed to making you better at what you do today.

Are you ready for your close up?

 

Your photo gives people a few clues to you and your personality so it’s vital that you get it right.

On a professional site like Linked In it’s important to present a professional front, so please no family shots. Save those for Facebook.

A recent head and shoulders shot, perhaps at work, helps people connect with you.

I’ve seen some profile photos that have gimmicky effects this is s no-no. I also think you should stay away from cartoons of yourself, company logos and images of the product you sell.

But the worst crime of all is no photo of all. To me that just say you can’t be bothered and aren’t really taking networking seriously.