Have you experienced the benefits of an optimized LinkedIn presence? I certainly have. They can include but are not limited to: developing relationships with more referral partners, getting more speaking opportunities, and landing more clients.

In this blog post, I share two recent experiences that came from having a well-developed presence on LinkedIn.

 

Key Elements of an Optimized LinkedIn Presence

  • Professional photo and branded background photo
  • Profile headline with keywords reflecting your services and your style
  • Well-written summary that includes a compelling narrative about you and your unique selling proposition
  • Experience section with specifics about your services
  • Effective use of Media (photos, videos, slide presentations) that tells a visual story about you and your business endeavors
  • Endorsed skills and recommendations that provide social proof from others about the value of your services

 

 

Developing a Relationship with a Potential Referral Partner

About a week ago, someone invited me to connect on LinkedIn. Per my usual practice, I wrote back asking him what prompted him to reach out to me.

His response really intrigued me:

“You’ve popped up a few times, as we run in some of the circles. So, I thought it would make sense for us to connect. I’d love to grab a coffee sometime to learn more about your business and I can refer you to small biz clients of mine.”

Wow! What a fabulous response. Immediately, I accepted his invite and wrote him back with my availability to meet.

Just a few days later we had a terrific getting-to-know-each-other visit at a local Starbucks. We had a lot in common in terms of commitment to leadership and a generosity of spirit. Plus, we did some brainstorming about ways I can serve some of his clients.

This new business relationship happened because my presence on LinkedIn caught his eye.

Converting a New LinkedIn Connection into a Client

Around the same time I met my new referral partner, I got a LinkedIn invite from someone who recently purchased a business franchise. When I asked him my standard why he reached out to me question, he wrote back:

“I am a new business owner that may need some help in the future on my social media skills. I am also looking for referral partners for my new business and thought that what you do would make you an excellent partner.

My business puts me in contact with small business owners who need help in the accounting field (especially payroll related issues). These same business owners may be struggling with their marketing skills.

If I have a referral partner that can help them, I may be able to send them your way. I would love to meet you and perhaps have a cup of coffee or tea somewhere, so we can find out more about each of our business skills.

Let me know if that sounds like something you may want to pursue.”

Here’s another wow! Just as with the previous person, when I met with this new business owner, we really clicked. It turns out we’re about the same age (late 60s). Another commonality was that when we were in our early 60s, we left the corporate world and became business owners. And, we are both very devoted to our children.

By the end of our coffee, he had decided he would benefit by having a tutoring session with me. We plan to reconnect in early May to set up that session.

 

How About You?

Please share how having an optimized presence on LinkedIn has benefitted you. Have you gained more referral partners or clients? What other positive experiences have come to you?

 

About Joyce

Joyce Feustel helps people, especially those age 45 and up, to become more effective using social media, especially Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter. She works with business owners, nonprofit organizations, retired people, consultants, and many others. Find her at www.boomerssocialmediatutor.com