Linkedin for Solopreneurs & Freelancers
- 1. WORKSHOP How solo business owners and freelancers can use to their advantage!
- 3. Why bother? • Online reputation + social proof • Provide credibility + context for your business • 467 million global users (Oct 16) • SEO • Referrals • Information • Communication
- 4. Be seen and be found • Free options - building and keeping relationships • Premium account features – connecting to decision makers • Company pages + paid advertising • Targeted paid advertising • Market research • Unique URL
- 5. The Basics • Getting over that icky sales/corporate/networking feeling. “HELP” • Have a presence •Engage with new people •Let people find you •Prove yourself over time
- 6. The Basics • Photography. • Profiles with photos are 7 times more likely to be visited • Invest! • Smile • Consider your background image too • A great headshot is clear, high quality, free of distractions and cropped to the face and neck • No hard and fast rules for creatives!
- 7. The Basics • Define your LinkedIn goals • Decide which keywords you will use • Test your keywords periodically • Commit to setting yourself up well
- 8. The Headline • Not your title • 120 characters • Open your story • Define your market
- 9. The Summary • One of the most important and most neglected sections. • 2000 character limit • Tell your story • Use a basic format if you’re stuck: who, what, why? • Provide a call to action • Provide your contact details • Use the first person if you can • Use bullet points for your skills or other lists • Use the active voice • Cut jargon
- 10. The Experience Section • Link back into your company profile page. Let people know what your business does, how you offer value and who you work with • Add relevant past positions and a summary of your role • Include key achievements and weave your story’s loose ends • Include your keywords • Ask for recommendations
- 11. Recommendations • Key for taking your profile up a notch • Be strategic • Provide recommendations • Invaluable for social proof and credibility • Show your unique value and people skills • Adds to your profile’s ‘personality’
- 13. LinkedIn Etiquette • Personalise connection requests • Add who you know, follow up with new connections you haven’t personally met • Accept legitimate connection requests • Post professional content • Offer value
- 14. Building your profile • Add contacts: the magic 500+ • Join groups • Comment (thoughtfully) • Publish content: quick updates + long form content
- 15. Question and Connection time! • Let’s get connected. • Feel free to contact me with any questions about your profile Beth Barrett [email protected] 0413 457 714