What do you do if you're a self-employed social seller looking to improve your networking strategies?

In B2B, all profiles look pretty much the same and that's unfortunate, because it is a missed opportunity for you to meet with others. To be fair, this is mainly due to LinkedIn training standardization. The question I keep asking myself is: is my profile truly reflecting who I am as an individual, is this me? That helps a lot!

As a self-employed social seller, you need to establish a strong online presence that reflects your expertise and credibility. Optimize your LinkedIn profile. Ensure that all sections of your LinkedIn profile are filled out. Include a professional headline, profile photo, background image, summary, work experience, education, skills, and any relevant volunteer work or hobbies. A complete profile increases your chances of being discovered by potential connections and employers. Getting discovered should be the primary goal followed up by looking credible and authentic. LinkedIn keyword SEO can increase your chances of becoming visible and getting discovered through most of the search engines, including LinkedIn's search engine.

Optimizing your social media profiles is crucial for making a positive first impression on potential clients or partners. Ensure your profiles are meticulously filled out, reflecting professionalism and your domain expertise. A clear profile picture and a bio that succinctly captures your essence can significantly enhance your online presence. Incorporating industry-specific keywords enhances your visibility in searches, making you more discoverable to those seeking your expertise. Articulate your unique value proposition clearly, allowing visitors to quickly grasp what you offer and how you can address their needs, setting the stage for successful professional relationships.

One (of the three) critical elements of social selling is to have a buyer-centri profile. Think of your profile as a shop window, as people walk past they need to look in and think, "that's interesting". Remember this isn't about you, your products or your services, this is about the buyer. That's why we created our social selling methodology, to provide sellers with the structure they need to become best-in-class social sellers. This methodology is the only strategy worldwide that is backed by the independent sales body, the Insistuite of Sales Professionals (ISP).

You are making new friends daily on social media and that's good news! How these new friends get to know you is through your content. This is why engaging on a regular basis with valuable content is important. It helps understand who you are and the value you can bring to your network.

Social selling is modern prospecting, so just like in the old days you needed to prospect everyday, so do you need to prospect on social. This means you need to start and join conversations on social media on a daily basis. That's why we created our social selling methodology, to provide sellers with the structure they need to become best-in-class social sellers. This methodology is the only strategy worldwide that is backed by the independent sales body, the Insistuite of Sales Professionals (ISP).

There are at least two ways in which you can provide value to your network. First and foremost is your personal contributions, your point of view. Obviously, you network is also of value for your network. This is what social selling is all about!

Always prioritize offering value to your connections. Share valuable content, insights, and resources related to your industry or niche to establish yourself as a trusted authority and valuable resource. Engage with others by commenting thoughtfully on their posts, participating in relevant discussions, and providing helpful solutions to their challenges. Additionally, proactively reach out to potential collaborators, partners, or mentors to expand your network and glean valuable insights. By consistently providing value and engaging with others authentically, you can strengthen your networking efforts and build meaningful connections in the social selling landscape.

"Value" as a word is pretty meaningless as it's relative. It would be better to use the word "helpful". Think about how you can be helpful to your buyers. For example, how to spot the business issue they are facing, how to solve it, maybe provide a business case to take to the board? That's why we created our social selling methodology, to provide sellers with the structure they need to become best-in-class social sellers. This methodology is the only strategy worldwide that is backed by the independent sales body, the Insistuite of Sales Professionals (ISP).

Social media represent a greater opportunity than simply digitalizing your Rolodex! You want to meet new friends and this is actually quite easy as most people present on LinkedIn are looking for the exact same thing. Therefore, don't be shy!

Having a wide and varied network is critical for anybody who wants to social sell. The best way is to connect to people, not in a spammy way. But just as you would do at a networking event. Linkedin allows you to make 200 connections in a week, that's 200 conversations and conversations create sales. That's why we created our social selling methodology, to provide sellers with the structure they need to become best-in-class social sellers. This methodology is the only strategy worldwide that is backed by the independent sales body, the Insistuite of Sales Professionals (ISP).

Do you have a social media strategy? Do you follow a social media methodology? You need to have both when looking at significantly scaling your B2B business through networking. Should you have both, you could be embarking on 15 calls a week journey.

As a self-employed social seller aiming to enhance your networking strategies, focus on building a robust online presence. Regularly update your social media profiles with engaging content that reflects your expertise and value. Participate actively in relevant online communities and groups to establish your credibility and make new connections. Attend virtual networking events and webinars to keep abreast of industry trends and meet potential collaborators. Leverage LinkedIn to connect with industry leaders and potential clients. Also, consider using tools like CRM software to manage and nurture these relationships effectively. Remember, consistent engagement and providing value are key to successful networking.