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Optimize your LinkedIn Profile to Build Trust

Patrick Steil - Tuesday, March 01, 2011
I always review the LinkedIn profile of people I am meeting / networking with, doing business with, etc.  The things I look for are a sense of who is working at the company, do they have good recommendations, do they have a trustworthy background, etc.  In other words a LinkedIn profile can be a great way for me to determine how well I "trust" the person I am dealing with.

Conversely, your LinkedIn profile gives YOU a great opportunity to try and build trust quickly with the people that want to do business with YOU!

So here are my recommendations for optimizing your LinkedIn profile:

1.  Have everyone in your company create a profile and link them to the company.
2.  Solicit recommendations from all your clients from within LinkedIn
3.  Make sure your title accurate and "client friendly"
4.  Always use a professional photo of a person, NOT a logo!
5.  List the 4-5 bullet points as to what makes this person a great asset to the company and how he/she can help clients working with you.
6.  Get a professional executive resume writer to optimize the content of your profile.  I HIGHLY recommend Holly Reslink at EmpowerLink.  She optimized mine!  http://linkedin.com/in/pmsteil

Also, here are 8 more LinkedIn Optimizations to look at from the Social Examiner:


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Optimizing Email Marketing Message to Increase Open Rates

Patrick Steil - Tuesday, March 01, 2011
I just wanted to pass along a few quick things I had learned directly from Constant Contact at a seminar they did recently:

1.  They suggested addressing the email "from" a real person - someone who will be the spokesperson for the organization... people are more apt to open an email from a person vs. a company because people buy from people NOT companies. :)

2.  The subject line is one of the most critical parts of the email... they say that in the first 3-5 words someone is going to decide whether they open the email and so you have to give them a headline that makes the email interesting to them and if possible stresses some sense of urgency to open the email now...  People get inundated with email and so they pick and choose which to open.  Give them a reason to open yours now.  If they put it off until later, they probably won't ever open it.

3.  The day of week and time of day of course is very important and can vary from one customer base to another.  So test different days of the week and different times to see if this makes a difference.  I normally suggest sending at 10am or 2pm... once your customers have cleared the morning deluge of email... and I don't like to send on Monday morning or Friday at all... 

4. Make sure the email has some type of call to action - what are you wanting the recipient to do up on receiving the email.    And most likely the action you want them to take would be something they should do at your website.  In other words, in your email marketing, blogs, etc, you want to continuously drive them back to your website.  And of course the website needs to have the same focus to get them to take some action... all of this can be done effectively without being too "pushy" or "salesy"... but if they do want to participate, make it super easy for them to...  

5.  Testing - I suggest changing one thing at a time and testing to see how it affects your open rates.  

Keep in mind that the typical response in the old snail mail days was a 1-3% response.  If you get a 15 - 25% open rate consistently, you are doing good.  If you are getting higher, then let us know your tips and tricks!


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Patrick Steil

infraNET Complete Website Optimization

 

Mobile: 940-391-9250

Fax: 972-692-7620


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Small Business Tip #3: Networking in 2010 and Facebook.com

Patrick Steil - Thursday, April 22, 2010

My last tip talked about the MUST read book:  "The E-Myth" hope you have had a chance to start reading this... it has changed my life and will change the look of infraNET forever!

Business Tip of the Week

In this month's Tip, I want to discuss the power of making it "personal"... from your website, to your newsletter, your blog... do your clients KNOW and TRUST you?  Maybe that's what is keeping them from buying your products or services.  People buy from people they trust.  They can gain that trust by a referral of a good friend, by personally knowing you through networking or simply by reading everything there is to know about your company on your website.  So the question is... are you making yourself AVAILABLE?  Are you networking?  Does your website and blog give them good information so that they will trust you know what you are talking about?  Does your newsletter come directly from YOU, or is addressed "From: sales@yourcompany.com"... people want to buy from YOU... or you can spend $10 million a year in branding so they will trust your COMPANY!  :)  

 

Technology Tip of the Week

Did you realize there are many ways to generate leads using Facebook (still not sure what FB is... click here:  Facebook Explained)?  Now, I am of the strong opinion that you should use Facebook for maintaining your personal, one on one relationships with close friends and family.  So, you should NEVER do any blatant "marketing and sales" speak on your FB account... but IF your business deals directly with consumers, here are some things you CAN do:

  • Create a Facebook FAN page - so that people can become Fans of your company (note: this only works for companies that deal directly with consumers).  You can use this page to market special events, promotions, news, etc.  Learn how here...
  • Create a text/banner "Ad" on Facebook.   How to Create a FB Ad.  And you can also consult the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Facebook Advertising...
  • And if you have a "widget" to sell, here are 5 ways to Sell on FaceBook... 
  • Create a Facebook "application" that can creatively spread the word about your company through Viral Marketing.... 
  • If you want more detail on these, let me know and I'll do another "tip" on the subject... :)
  • Overall, the Facebook strategy should be one of brand awareness and lead generation, NOT direct sales in most cases.  The more "personal" your business is (products/services geared towards individual consumers, families, kids) the more you should be on FaceBook... if your business is B2B, I would probably spend my valuable time elsewhere... :)

That's your update for the week... take action today before you forget!
Wishing you Peace, Joy and Love!

Patrick Steil

 

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