LinkedIn, the professional social networking platform, is a critical tool for building your credentials to be recognized as a top independent consultant. There are numerous outlets throughout the site that give you the opportunity to showcase your knowledge, experience and skills. Whether you create your own forum about independent consulting or you invite LinkedIn members to your own webinars, it’s the perfect place to build connections and to build your business.
As an independent consultant and solopreneur, it’s your job to get your name out there. It is understandably difficult to get noticed, but it can be done if you take advantage of all of the networking opportunities you’re given. Building your LinkedIn profile with your accolades, recommendations and endorsements, along with your skills and experience, help you make a presence for yourself and for your business.
Here are ways that LinkedIn can help your business thrive:
Profile and Company Page
Your profile should include information and easy to read facts about your past experience and your successes. You should also ask former co-workers and clients to write recommendations for you and to endorse your skills.
Don’t skip the summary section! This is the perfect opportunity for you to detail your work and express the type of independent consultant you are.
You should also build a page for your firm, detailing the page with what industry you target, links to your website, information on yourself, as well as how long you’ve been in the business.
Forums
LinkedIn’s discussion boards make for perfect situations that can get you noticed easily. Join any discussions that have to do with independent consulting and the industry you focus on. This will show your prospective clients that you are not only involved in the newest trends for consulting, but you are involved in the most recent news their industry has.
This is also a great way for you to build connections. If you have a voice in the discussions and you consistently participate, people will begin to be intrigued by you and the work you do.
Connect, Connect, Connect!
There’s nothing more deterring then a professional independent consultant who has just a few connections. For all the potential clients know, the few connections could just be family and friends from college. Make sure that you connect with anyone you worked with in the past and anyone you are currently working with. Also, connect and follow up with people that you converse with on the forums.
Obtaining connections helps build your credibility and expand your outreach. Soon people who have shared connections with you will see you in LinkedIn’s list of people they may know, and vice versa.
Build A Fan Base Through Webinars
Webinars are an interesting option for gaining a following and connections. When you begin to invite people to your webinars, you open up a window for people to be able to talk with you about it. You become the go-to person when they have questions and potential clients notice that. They’ll see that you are held in high regard in the business world and they’ll want to work with you.
Create Engaging Statuses
Posting consistently with both intriguing and fun news helps you create a lasting presence on the social network. People will see your post every day and always know who you are and the work you do. Here you can share your blogs, any interesting articles you have, news, etc. and you’ll become the hub of information for all of your connections. One of the positive results you’ll see is an increase in traffic to your website.
Starting your own consulting business can be challenging, so take advantage of your opportunities to get noticed. LinkedIn helps you become an independent consultant that is noticed among his or her peers and has the professional skills to back it up. Also remember to use other social media outlets such as Twitter, Google+ and Facebook to reach more potential clients!
via Using LinkedIn to Stand Out as an Independent Consultant | www.mbopartners.com.
Using LinkedIn to Stand Out as an Independent Consultant
