Once upon a time your Linkedin profile was like having your resume on steroids. Those days are long gone. Nowadays, for a Linkedin profile to be effective it needs to be written in a promotional manner.

People go to Linkedin for three possible reasons. Firstly, they have a problem to solve and are looking for somebody to solve it for them.

Secondly, the Linkedin member has a solution to a problem, and they are looking for someone to hire them to fix the problem.

The third reason is jobseekers and people wanting to hire somebody.

So, to make your Linkedin profile effective i.e. to achieve your desired outcome, it needs to be crafted promotionally.

The promotional copy for your Linkedin profile needs to highlight you as a solution to somebody’s problem. That means identifying what problem you solve or bring to the marketplace and an overview of how you would do so.

As an author and self-publisher of a dozen or so personal/professional self-development books, I researched strategic use of Linkedin for job searching and business professionals marketing.

In my book Blow Your Own Horn! Personal Branding for Business Professionals I provide a collection of strategies for not only maximizing your Linkedin profile for effectiveness, but also to use it as your own personal marketing agency.

In my book You’re Hired! Job Search Strategies That Work I provide strategies for jobseekers on how to maximize their Linkedin profile for job searching success.

I can help you develop an effective promotional Linkedin Profile and tweak your resume. In addition, for any of the packages, I will offer you a complimentary electronic version of either of the aforementioned professional development books.

 

 

 

 

Starter Package: $49.99

Delivery Time: 7 days

Review & critque of your Linkedin profile & your resume.

A written response sent to you via e-mail.

Standard Package: $300.00

Delivery Time: 10 days

The Standard Package includes resume editing & rewriting of your existing resume.

Advanced Package: $400.00

Delivery Time: 14 days

The Advanced package adds content integration with & optimization of your Linkedin profile and creation/tweaking of your cover letter.

 

Project Steps:

 

Review Existing LinkedIn Profile:

Prior to discovery Zoom call (outlined in next item) I will review your existing Linkedin profile to determine whether I am able to offer you my services or not.

Needs Discovery Discussion:

You will be invited to participate in a 30-minute complimentary Zoom call to identify your most pressing needs and your Linkedin goals.

Prepare the Contract:

Once we agree on the format, objectives, and project deliverables, time allotment and financial terms, I will send you a contract for your approval and acceptance.

Information Collection:

You will be asked to provide me a current resume/curriculum vitae if you have one. This will be a necessity if the project includes resume tweaking.

Linkedin Profile Perspective:

If your profile is being updated to target a specific job or job sector, you will be asked to provide 2 to 3 url links to the job posting you are focusing on and/or a job description.

Editing Suggestions & Approval:

I don’t restrict the editing process to first and second drafts, as other Linkedin profile editors do.

Linkedin profile editing is an iterative process to ensure the information posted is accurate and shows you in a good light.

New Linkedin Profile Requirements:

You will be asked to provide data about educational achievements, e.g. college degrees, projects you've successfully executed,  memberships/associations, accomplishments and job responsibilities at your last 7-10 years of employment. 

Revision if Needed:

Revisions, changes, or additional information will be accommodated during the project.

Project Completion/Final Report:

I will provide you a final report i.e. your completed Linkedin profile via e-mail in a Word document.

Payment:

Upon completion you will be asked for payment.

End of Contract:

Your feedback on the project would be appreciated!

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

1) Do I need to have an existing Linkedin profile?

No! I can build one from scratch if you don't have one.

2) How long will it take to create my Linkedin profile makeover?

That will depend on how quickly you respond to my questions and requests for information. I only take on projects have the bandwidth to complete. You can expect 3 to 10 days depending on the complexity of your project.

3) What types of clients have you worked with?

Some of the fields I have modified Linkedin profiles for include but are not limited to: an Occupational Health & Safety professional; registered nurse transitioning into an independent health care practitioner; a professional massage therapist; a geriatric health care aide; a self- published holistic health style author; and e-commerce professional.

4) How often can I expect to hear from you if I buy this project?

I will start working on your project shortly after accepting your signed contract. You will start receiving messages to collect data from you shortly after that. 

5) Can I phone you to provide you with more details?

E-mail works better for me. 

6) Why should I hire you for this project?

I have an analytical mind and a strategic way of looking at Linkedin profiles and developing them into effective personal marketing platforms.

7) What kind of information will you require from me?

I will request a current resume; your Linkedin URL; your purpose and goal for updating your Linkedin profile; your past work experience; educational background; volunteer positions held.

8) How is the Standard package different from the Starter package?

The Standard package includes resume editing & rewriting of your existing resume.

9) How is the Advanced package different from the Starter & Standard packages?

The Advanced package adds content integration with & optimization of your Linkedin profile and creation/tweaking of your cover letter.

10) Do I need a headshot and graphics for my profile?

A professional-looking headshot is recommended. A graphical banner is helpful in standing out from others.

11) Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?

I recently completed a Linkedin profile update and an About Me bio for a website for a registered nurse transitioning into an independent health care practitioner and promoting her business. This project took several weeks in that she had to find time in her busy schedule to provide me with details.

12) If my Linkedin profile is written in a promotional way, isn’t that like bragging?

No. In the immortal words of Walt Whitman, American Cowboy Poet “if you done it, it ain’t bragging!” Your Linkedin profile is an effective public relations marketing tool to promote yourself and what you have to offer to the world.

13) Should my Linkedin profile be written in the 1st person or the 3^rd person?

There are advantages to using both methods within specific areas of your Linkedin profile. I prefer using first-person in the opening overview of what you have to offer by way of products or services. I use 3^rd person, past tense as well as bullet points, for previous jobs and experiences.

14) Can’t I just upload my resume as my Linkedin profile?

You could, but it wouldn’t be effective. Your resume and your Linkedin profile should work together. Whereas your resume should be condensed, your Linkedin profile provides you opportunity to expand upon areas touched on in your resume. Odds are if you have been invited for an interview, the interviewer will have checked out your Linkedin profile and on-line presence in advance.

15) Will you upload the changes to my Linkedin account or will I need to do them myself?

It can be done either way depending on your preferences. If I upload the changes I would need your password to do so. I would suggest you change your password upon completion of the project. If you want to upload the changes yourself I will provide you with the content to do so.

16) I see some Linkedin profiles that have fancy icons for bullet points. Am I able to add these to my profile?

Yes, within reason. The goal is to have your profile stand out from others but not be so gaudy that it turns people off. Your content needs to dazzle the reader not your graphical artistry.

17) What if I decide I want to revert to my original content on my Linkedin profile?

You’re always free to make changes after completion of the project. I will provide you with a report upon completion which will include your original text and the changes made.

18) How do I know what is a good headline?

I will do a search of similar professional fields as yours and provide you options. The idea is to have a headline that is easily recognizable and indexed in Linkedin’s search function.