Thanks to guest blogger Marc Miller
You have plans to update your LinkedIn® profile, but do you have a strategy on how you will leverage the update?
If you turn on Sharing Profile Edits in your LinkedIn settings, all of your LinkedIn connections will be told that you have updated your profile. I know, I know you have been told to keep it turned off.
However, there are times when you want to tell your network that a change has been made. This could be:
• Acquired a major certification
• Been hired for a new job
• Received a promotion
• Launched a new business
• Published a book or an article
What will happen is, you will get lots of LinkedIn messages that will be congratulating on your new accomplishment. You have their attention, you should be prepared with a strategy on how you will respond.
I recommend you respond to every single LinkedIn message! Yes, every single message with a standard, but a strategic response.
Turn On Sharing Profile Edits
If you have a lot of minor updates to make, go ahead and make those first.
Then, when you make the major change that you want everyone to hear about, turn on “Sharing profile edits” in your privacy settings like you see below.
Only set this when you are ready to make the major change.
I will use the example of when I added my podcast to my LinkedIn profile.
Create a Strategy with a Clear Call to Action
As soon as you make the change, you should be prepared to:
• Thank them.
• Tell them about the change.
• Give them a clear call to action.
What do you want them to do?
In my case, I added the following to my LinkedIn profile:
When anyone said “congratulations” I responded with a stock answer:
Dear [insert first name],
I have been podcasting for one year now. Next week will be the anniversary episode and I encourage you to listen to it. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/repurpose-your-career/id1170333446?mt=2&ls=1
I would also appreciate it, while you are in iTunes, if you’d take a moment to write a review.
Marc Miller
What do I want? I want the reader to listen to the podcast. Therefore, I pointed them directly to iTunes.
Did my podcast numbers spike the next week? Heck yes.
My call to action was clear and I made it very easy. Each evening I would make a copy of the stock answer into my computer’s clipboard and then I would respond to each congratulatory LinkedIn message.
New Certification
The idea for this post came from a note from a former client who is currently unemployed and looking for work. He just attained his PMP certification which should make him a bit more attractive to employers.
He added his certification to the last name and to his accomplishments section of his LinkedIn profile.
I suggested he should craft a response like the following:
[First Name],
Thanks for reaching out to me and offering your congratulations. It was a lot of hard work to complete the coursework, studying for and passing the exam. In some ways, I was surprised I passed on the first try.
I am currently looking for a project management role in the [insert industry]. Would you have a moment for a quick phone call to get some sage advice? If you are willing please schedule 15 minutes on my calendar at https://meetme.so/mycalendar
I would really appreciate it if you would pass on any leads you might have.
[signature]
The call to action was to schedule a quick phone call and he made it easy to schedule a time. Notice what we asked for was some sage advice. You want to use a magic word of advice. This can also be referred to as asking for A-I-R or advice, insights, and recommendations.
[Note: I am a big fan of ScheduleOnce and I have no affiliate relationship with them. I am just a very happy customer.]Simple LinkedIn Update Strategy
The key is to ask for a call to action and make that something easy to do. You want to eliminate as many barriers as possible in allowing them to take action. If they need to send an email that asks when are you available or look up your phone number or anything else, your contact is less likely to take action.
K.I.S.S – Keep it simple stupid (or as Debra prefers “Keep it simple sweetheart.”). Make it easy for them to help you.
Finally, please remember that most people would like to help you if they can. Not everyone will be able to help you. However, for the ones that make the effort make sure and say “thank you”.
Have you taken the time to create a LinkedIn Update Strategy? If so, comment below and tell me about it because I’d love to hear from you. Thanks a million!
[Note: When you are done with this process, you probably want to turn off the Sharing profile edits field in your LinkedIn privacy settings.]This post was originally published on CareerPivot.com
About guest blogger Marc Miller: Founder of Career Pivot, Marc’s career journey included 22 years at IBM, several thriving tech startups, a painful stint as a high school teacher, and a gig raising funds for the Jewish Community Association of Austin. Marc uses his extensive training experience to help others—especially Baby Boomers—find careers that they could grow into for the decades that lie ahead. Passionate about his work and the clients he serves, you may contact him by clicking here.
