Who doesn't want more and better clients in the new year? Can LinkedIn really help you get there?
These 10 vital tips will help you make it happen:
1. Don't make people dig for who you are and what you do. You know why? Because they won't.
2. Tell people why they should care about you. People are always ready to be negative. It's your turn to be positive! Tell people how you can help, whether your services make life easier, save them money, or cure warts. Tell it!
3. Do not, under any circumstances, take your own picture. Do I really have to explain this one? I think we all know by now the importance of a smiling, full-faced, bright picture.
4. Make your point and get the h%^& out. People are busy. Get to the heart of the matter and skip the long-winded Intro to Business 101.
5. Be authentic. Talk like a real person, not a corporate robot. Be honest. Be you. If that's not good enough for one person, it will be more than enough for someone else.
6. Avoid doublespeak. If you offer copywriting services for history buffs, don't refer to yourself as a digital anthropologist. This is no time to get overly creative. No one knows, no one cares. If you are unclear on this point, reread point #1.
7. Engage. If people are not finding you, go find them first! Who are your peers? Who are your colleagues? Who are your mentors, your competition, your vendors, business owners of related services? There is no lack of people with whom you can connect. Stop wondering if you should do it and just do it already.
8. Help people for no good reason. I know self-promotion is a hot topic, but...when you help someone just because you can, it is both personally satisfying and commercially rewarding. I'm not suggesting you do everything for nothing. I'm suggesting you look for opportunities to ask "How can I help?" and then actually help.
9. Contribute. You know those groups you joined on LinkedIn? When is the last time you contributed, instead of just watching everyone else do the heavy lifting? I mean, why are you there in the first place? If you're not clear on this point, reread point #7.
10. Ask people, "What do you think?", "What is your opinion?" We all love the sounds of our own opinions. But this is more than that.
It's about getting others to open up, get involved in a conversation, share their thoughts...and, in the process, you might just learn what you can do to help (point #8)...which could lead to new business, or simply the making of a cool new friend.
If I've said it once, I've said it ten thousand times: People don't care what you have to say about yourself. They care about what others have to say about you. Those celebrities who seem to enjoy "overnight" success really don't. They've been starring in B-movies for years, scratching and clawing for the one part that might changes their fortunes and their lives.
Remember this when it seems like your own wheels of fame are turning far too slowly. Engagement and relationship building happen over time. Slow and steady wins the visibility race. Give yourself permission to apply these 10 ways to get more exposure on LinkedIn 2012, and watch what happens!