Anyone who knows me understands that I put a great deal of emphasis on my LinkedIn profile and all-around presence on the platform!
This includes attempting to have a profile that explains not only what I do and what I have done professionally, but other aspects about me personally as well that might give someone reading it more insight into who I am and what makes me tick.
And read it people will tend to do as a survey of journalists indicated, showing that ’80 percent of journalists now check a CEO’s LinkedIn profile before an interview.’
And yet, ’68 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs have no social presence on any major network.’
Interesting this compares to CEO’s of the Inc. 500 CEOs where the participation rate on LinkedIn ‘was an impressive 87 percent’.
This provides a look at one of the major differences between ‘new’ business and ‘old’ business with newer companies understanding the compelling need to be present on social media.
Why A Complete And Frequently Updated LinkedIn Profile Provides Value-Added To A CEO!
- The opportunity to have total control of his or her online presence. LinkedIn is virtually the only social media platform over which an executive has 100 percent control.
- A “living” CV that can (and should) be updated regularly, to reflect new accomplishments and achievements. This is the place to brag. According to LinkedIn, a profile that includes certifications gets double the number of views, so don’t be shy about mentioning an APR accreditation.
- A place where a CEO can share her vision. With most journalists now checking LinkedIn profiles before an interview, why would you not use the opportunity to showcase your CEO’s brand to the media?
- The assurance that the first thing that pops up on a search for a CEO’s name will be his or her LinkedIn profile.
- A news platform from which to publish relevant articles, thought leadership pieces and other content.
- The opportunity to generate new business. If a prospect searches for “top accountants in Detroit,” don’t you want to be at or near the top of that list? (Source: Bulldog Reporter)
From the same source, these are ways to strengthen your profile:
- Photograph. A surprising number of executive profiles don’t include a photo. Profiles with photos are 11 times more likely to be viewed than those without. Select a photo that is appropriate to your profession, not your pastime.
- Take advantage of linking opportunities. Link to previous employers, schools you attended and publications in which you’ve been published. You’ll not only have a more visually appealing profile, but you’ll showcase your accomplishments more, too.
- Use LinkedIn like the insiders do. Did you know that you can claim your own URL for your LinkedIn address? Or post “wallpaper” behind your introductory banner? It’s all there, if you spend the time learning how to use it. And LinkedIn will even “coach” you along, telling you how and where you can flesh out your profile.
- Publish your material. Last year, LinkedIn quietly introduced Pulse, an online news service where you can publish content and share it with other professionals in your field and network. And because LinkedIn is such a highly trafficked site, content published there is more likely to be indexed by Google than content published on your own blog, for example.
- Use it. Once a LinkedIn profile has been posted, be sure to visit LinkedIn regularly and periodically update your profile, publish content on Pulse, and engage with other professionals. Try this experiment: Instead of defaulting to Facebook, make LinkedIn your default page. See if that doesn’t encourage you to become more intentional about it. (Source: Bulldog Reporter)
Summary: Use all of the tools at your disposal to market your business in the most effective ways possible!
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Michael Haltman, President of Hallmark Abstract Service, New York.
HAS is a provider of title insurance in New York State for residential and commercial real estate transactions.
And, for anyone either buying a property or refinancing, remember that although your attorney will likely recommend a title insurance provider you always have the right to choose your own (click here to learn more)!
If you have any questions you can reach Michael by email at mhaltman@hallmarkabstractllc.com.
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