Have you ever googled yourself? Your clients are. And they’re finding your LinkedIn Profile.
Think about it…
When you are looking for a good contractor to renovate your kitchen, what do you do? You google contractors, find a name, google the name and research the company or person that comes up. You check out the social media platforms to see what their work looks like, check on what past clients have to say about them, see if they are a good fit for what you need, right?
Well that’s what happens when people hear about you and are considering working with you - they check your socials and particularly LinkedIn to get the inside scoop on you and check your credibility.
That’s why having a strong LinkedIn profile is critical, especially in the EdTech industry.
But most people think they have a pretty good LinkedIn Profile just because they are “on LinkedIn” but it takes more than listing your accomplishments and writing some stuff about you or highlighting your work experience. If you want to get clients from LinkedIn, you have to transform your profile from a generic CV that looks just like everyone else, and turn it into a sales page.
That's exactly what Rose, our client, did. She’s a busy entrepreneur and has grown her company through word of mouth and referrals... but referrals only go so far and she was looking for a way to get more clients, more consistently.
The challenge was that although she knew she was really good at what she does; she felt unsure when it came to generating leads until she joined our program and here’s what she had to say.
“My brand positioning and my confidence and clarity on my ability to generate leads has dramatically improved.”
And just a few weeks after finishing the 3E program, she closed two big game-changing contracts! And the best part, she now has the system to do it again!
And one of the things she started with was really getting her profile correct, and that’s what we are going to be doing here today.
Here’s how to get started!
1. Profile Picture
Your profile picture is like the first handshake in the digital world. It's the first thing people notice about you on LinkedIn. Having a professional and engaging profile picture is super important because it sets the tone for how others perceive you. Imagine meeting someone for the first time – you'd want to look your best, right? Well, your profile picture is your first impression online. It tells people that you're serious about what you do and that you care about how you present yourself. I can’t tell you how many profiles I see with blurry photos or casual Saturday night photos. This isn’t FaceBook. This is a business platform. So think of it as showing up to a conference – you want to look your best and convey confidence in your expertise.
When selecting your profile picture, make sure it's high-resolution and clear. You want educators and EdTech professionals to see you clearly and take you seriously. A friendly smile is also essential, as it makes you approachable and builds trust with potential clients or collaborators.
Your profile picture is a key part of your personal brand in the edtech industry. It represents who you are and what you stand for. Take the time to choose a picture that aligns with your professional identity. And remember to keep it updated to reflect any changes in your appearance or career.
2. Headline
Most people use their headline on LinkedIn to list their titles or job positions. E.g. Josh Chernikoff : X2 business owner. Coach. Lead gen specialist. Podcast host. That just reads like a laundry list of stuff about YOU and doesn’t tell me how you can help ME!
A good headline is a hook that captures attention and shows how you can help your ideal client. It should be like a magnet, pulling in the right people. It should quickly tell others how you can help them. Use simple words that everyone can understand. E.g. Josh Chernikoff : Helping Education Companies build a Lead Generation Engine that books 12-20 highly-qualified sales calls each month.See how much more powerful that is? This is how you start attracting your ideal clients instantly.
Now let’s take it a step further. Underneath the headline is a space where you can share a link. Most people waste this opportunity. The link you share shouldn't just lead to your website's main page. Instead your link should send people to download a lead magnet, sign up for a webinar, or go straight to a sales page.
The link you use will change depending on what stage your business is in at that given time. And if you’re wanting to grow and get more leads, then send them to a lead magnet so you can continue to nurture them with emails and share more details about your offers.
By optimizing this space to capture leads or direct users to a sales page relevant to your offering, you maximize the chances of converting profile visitors into potential clients or customers. It's all about making the most of every opportunity to engage and connect with your LinkedIn audience effectively.
3. The Summary / About You Section
In the summary section of your LinkedIn profile, it's tempting to delve into your own achievements and experiences, much like you would on a traditional CV. However, to truly make an impact and attract potential clients, it's essential to flip the script. Instead of highlighting your own accolades, focus on the outcomes and benefits you deliver to your clients or customers.
This section is your chance to showcase the value you bring to the table and how you can make a difference in the lives of others. Rather than listing your skills or qualifications, this is where you speak to the problem you solve and the pains and obstacles your clients are facing in trying to solve it. You share how you can help them and how they can get started. And emphasize some of the tangible results you've achieved for your clients. Don't forget to include a clear call to action. Whether it's inviting visitors to schedule a consultation, download a free resource, or explore your services further, make it easy for them to take the next step. By shifting the focus from yourself to the benefits you provide and including a compelling call to action, you can turn your LinkedIn summary into a powerful tool for attracting and converting potential clients.
4. Featured Section
The featured section is where you want to highlight important content that boosts your credibility. This is where you share success stories, case studies, or testimonials that illustrate the positive impact you've had on their businesses or lives. You can also highlight webinars and lead magnets here.
5. Experience and Education
In the "Experience" section of your LinkedIn profile, you share details about your career history. This is where the typical CV stuff comes in and surprisingly this is the least important part of the page. If the above sections are set up as a strong sales page, people will already be clicking through to book calls, download lead magnets and register for webinars. In this section, include your past jobs, what you did in those roles, and any notable accomplishments. It's like giving a summary of your career journey so far.
For "Education," you list the schools you attended, the degrees or qualifications you earned, and any relevant coursework or achievements. It's a way to highlight your academic background and expertise in specific areas.
Both sections help paint a picture of your professional background and qualifications, making it easier for others to understand your skills and experiences.
6. Skills and Endorsements
List the skills you think are most applicable to your services and products that you’re selling currently and ask peers, friends, clients and fellow entrepreneurs to endorse you. This adds a layer of validation to your profile and can help build trust and confidence in your abilities, making you more attractive to clients and collaboration opportunities.
7. Recommendations
Every time you get a testimonial, ask your clients if they would write a recommendation for you on LinkedIn. These testimonials add to your credibility and show potential clients that you get results!
8. Engaging Content and Activity
By consistently posting content that offers insights, tips, or solutions you demonstrate your expertise and provide value to your audience. When creating content, focus on topics that resonate with your target audience. Use a mix of formats, such as articles, infographics, or videos, to keep your content diverse and engaging. Additionally, actively participating in relevant groups and discussions allows you to connect with like-minded professionals, share knowledge, and expand your network.
By fostering meaningful interactions and providing valuable insights, you position yourself as a trusted authority in the field and attract opportunities for collaboration and growth.
And anytime someone enjoys your content or engagement and clicks on you, they’ll be taken straight to your profile set up as a sales page… which means new enquiries coming in about how to work with you…
Setting up your LinkedIn Profile as a Sales Page can be a gamechanger when it comes to lead generation. When you’ve updated yours, tag me and share a screenshot and let’s connect! Here’s to your success on LinkedIn.
And if you want more help with this:
Come join the LinkedIn Attractor Workshop: where we’ll work together LIVE to transform your LinkedIn profile from a CV to a sales funnel and boost your professional presence.