The Importance of Having a LinkedIn Profile
You have optimized your LNC LinkedIn profile, haven’t you?
If not, you definitely should. LinkedIn is your lifeline in building your LNC business. It is viewed as ‘the most professional social media platform’, therefore, your potential clients are most likely found there.
If you are looking for big results, you must optimize your profile. These tips will help you get recognition as well as to elevate you as a professional in your LNC field.
If you have an existing LinkedIn profile, compare it with these tips to make sure you get seen.
Optimize for What Your Ideal Client Wants
This may sound backward; however, this strategy will work for you. Not everyone on LinkedIn wants a typical ‘job’. You should be optimizing based on your goals and what you do. It should clearly show the viewer what your goals are (for example: working with attorneys seeking a legal nurse consultant).
Select the Right Headshot
You need to have professional headshots taken – there is no getting around that. Yes, cell phone cameras have come a long way, but they cannot make professional looking pictures. People will connect with you better when they see your picture.
Create Your Headline and Summary
These are extremely important, second only to your headshot. It must attract your ideal client. Take a look at other LNC profiles for inspiration. This can help to see the structure of your summary. What does your ideal client want? What will they search for when looking on LinkedIn for an LNC?
List Only Relevant Jobs and Experience
This section should show off your experience as a nurse and as an LNC. Your job at a pizza parlor while in college does not matter to your viewer. Keep it simple and direct.
Include Any Relevant Skills
Only include what is relevant to the people you want to impress and work with. You can list any internships you had that supports you as an LNC.
Personalize Your URL
Did you know that you can personalize your LinkedIn URL? You can select your name if it is available. If it is not available, add a word with your name that represents what you do or want to do so the right people can find you.
Include Any Relevant Certifications
In this section, you can include any courses you have taken as well as any certifications you have. Take the time to consider anything else you can include here that can help set you apart from other LNC professionals.
Get tips for optimizing your LinkedIn Profile with our LinkedIn Planner for LNCs. Click here for instant access.
Ask for Recommendations and Endorsements
Once you have created and built your profile, take a look at it from the point of view as your client’s point of view. In fact, look at it the next day to get a feel of the message you are saying.
Does it describe you and what you do so that your potential clients have no doubt about who you are and what you do? Have you fine-tuned your skills, previous job experience, your message, courses, degrees, and certifications? If so, it is time for you to reach out to people you have worked with in the past who can vouch for your job and skills you have been involved in that can show off what you do.
Create a template for you to us that requests your recommendations from them. It should be personalized note what you did for them and a link to your profile where they can endorse and recommend you.
LinkedIn is the best platform for LNC professionals. It is designed for connecting you to like-minded professionals in your field. Design your profile the right way by attracting your ideal clients from the beginning.
Pat Iyer is president of The Pat Iyer Group, which develops resources to assist LNCs obtain more clients, make more money and achieve their business goals and dreams.
Pat’s related websites include the LNC business coaching services she offers through LNCAcademy.com, the continuing education provided on LNCEU.com, the podcasts broadcast at podcast.legalnursebusiness.com, and writing tips supplied at patiyer.com.
Get all of Pat’s content in one place by downloading the mobile app, Biz Edu at www.legalnursebusiness.com/bizedu. Watch videos, listen to podcasts, read blogs, watch online courses and training and more.