How to find a LinkedIn expert

How to find a LinkedIn expert

How do you know what you’re getting when you engage a LinkedIn specialist??What do you look for??Are you shopping on price, value, reputation or something else? Is it the loudest most confident person that you listen to, or someone you have researched well with vast experience, respect and integrity? But how do you know what to believe?

As the largest professional social network, LinkedIn is the social network to pay attention to, but it is constantly evolving and innovating, so how do you keep up? How do you find someone who can help you get set up and start using it effectively, efficiently and ethically?

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Google your name, and more often than not, LinkedIn comes up on the first page of Google results, if not in the top 3 results.?

Not only is it worth investing time and effort in setting up properly, it is worth using because your audience are looking for you.


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DIY LinkedIn Check List

When it comes to setting up and using LinkedIn, you can dive straight in and give it a go yourself, or seek expert guidance to ensure you are effective and efficient in your investment of time, energy, and dollars.?

These are a few questions to consider when using LinkedIn;

  • Is your profile written about YOU, or is it about how you solve problems for your ideal CLIENTS / CONNECTION / EMPLOYER?
  • Is your Summary written in the FIRST or the third person? It is easier to infuse personality when writing in first person. Write as if you have having a conversation with an ideal client, unless you speak in the third person like Jimmy in this episode of Seinfeld! LinkedIn recommend writing in the first person.
  • Are you ACTIVELY using LinkedIn a few times a week, if not daily?
  • Are you CONNECTING with conversation or just COLLECTING contacts?
  • Are you ENGAGING with your network to build relationships?
  • ?Are you PUBLISHING content to add value and amplify your EXPERTISE?
  • Do you know how to use the SEARCH tools to find the RIGHT people?

An expert will be able to guide you so that you act in alignment with your values and vision.

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LinkedIn Profile Blueprint

If you wish to review your own profile, feel free to DOWNLOAD my LinkedIn Profile Blueprint, which contains my framework for build a professional presence on LinkedIn. I update this template as LinkedIn changes, so if you would like the update when I release it, sign up to my email list (and received bonus tips too):?https://eepurl.com/hDSrs

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How to Validate your LinkedIn Expert

With LinkedIn's popularity growing (2 new members per second and activity growing 60% year on year) it has become THE social media network to take seriously. With that comes more and more 'experts' popping up available to help you.

But how do you choose who to work with?

People love to solve problems. Statistics show that we trust referrals. We love to recommend someone we know - a friend, a colleague, someone we saw online. But ensure that the well-intentioned referral is the right one for you.

Does the person making the suggestion know what to look for beyond the marketing messages and friendly conversation? Do they know what you are looking for? And do they know if the person ticks all the boxes? They may not know what the boxes are.

Firstly, do your homework.

Even if someone has been recommended, use Google and LinkedIn to check them out.

1.????Ensure the person is walking the talk, has a branded, LinkedIn profile written in first person, with personality and credibility.

2.????Check their recent activity to ensure they are active.?Being inactive for periods of time means they can miss some of the updates that LinkedIn out, often on a daily basis!

3.????Ensure they are credible.?Do they receive regular LinkedIn recommendations over a decent period of time about how they have helped their clients?

4.????Are they compliant with the LinkedIn User Agreement??You may not have read it yourself, but take a glance at section 8 and familiarise yourself with the 'Do & Do Not' section. For instance, according to point 8c, you must use your real name on your profile.?If they have a positioning statement, special characters or a phone number in their surname, they aren’t in compliance. This articles goes on to state "We believe that any information other than first and last names in the name fields undermines the professional nature of our site and services."?At this time you can add a credential to your surname, but I suggest keeping it relevant and not too long. (

5.????Do they have plenty of relevant experience??Have they been using LinkedIn themselves for many years and specialising in the platform for at least 3 years??It is said to be deemed an expert you must have 10,000 hours of practice.?When it comes to social media, continued practice coupled with curiosity is critical, as things change often. Taking time each day to press buttons, check the settings and functionality is essential for any LinkedIn expert.

6.????Do they commit to regular professional development in and around the LinkedIn services they offer??Learning from other well-respected experts, attending events, and staying up to date with LinkedIn news and updates is essential.

7.????Are they a good listener and a good researcher??A big part of helping clients leverage LinkedIn starts with understanding your needs by asking the right questions.?

a.????What do you want to achieve?

b.????Who do you help?

c.????How do you help them?

d.????What problem are you solving for your ideal clients?

e.????What language do they use to find you?

f.?????What is your big vision or purpose?

g.????What are your interests, quirks passions?

h.????Why do you do what you do?

This list is by no means exhaustive, but aims to give you insight into what to look for.

Certified LinkedIn Expert

Currently, there is no accreditation issued by LinkedIn for specialists, consultants, or trainers.

Point 8J of the User Agreement states that you agree not to "Imply or state that you are affiliated with or endorsed by LinkedIn without our express consent (e.g., representing yourself as an accredited LinkedIn trainer)." So right now we are all, using our insights, intelligence and experience to create our our methodologies and framework, and are making it up as we go along!

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I make it my business to know which LinkedIn specialists are indeed experts.?There are so many experts around the world that I follow who tick the boxes and walk the talk.?If I can’t help you, one of these highly talented, knowledgeable and experienced LinkedIn specialists possibly can, as each has their own niche focus and set of skills and experience to bring to the table. Some are social selling focussed, other are more about marketing and positioning, others are about lead gen and advertising, and others are about career and recruitment.

Thanks to social media, I discover new people often. Each week I come across people with expertise and shared values who chose to specialise in LinkedIn a a vehicle to deliver value. At the time of first publishing this article, I discovered an expert in Sydney through a discussion on LinkedIn, I liked what she had to say, and picked up the phone for a chat.??The phone is a great way to fast track a relationship beyond words on a screen.?We are now good friends.

I set up a closed group and invited the LinkedIn experts around the globe whom I respect, share knowledge, issues and support each other.?We settled at 10 members and have become good friends. LinkedIn themselves don’t offer a place for independent trainers and specialists, so we set up our own community. I now belong to a few private communities of LinkedIn experts.

So who are the people I have gotten to know, follow or consume their content? The people listed below are generous with their knowledge and expertise (another quality I feel is essential in an expert) and open to connecting to others in the same space.?Each person has their own niche and professional journey which is part of their unique story and value proposition.

Who are the LinkedIn experts?

Australia

Belgium

Canada

France

Hungary

Israel

Netherlands

New Zealand

Portugal

Switzerland

UK

USA

Many of these experts, plus many others I don't yet know are on the World Experts List. I'm there under Australia.


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Hanging with Viveka von Rosen at #SMMW18

If you know someone whom you think qualifies to be on this list (based on the criteria), let me know.?I love to meet fellow LinkedIn specialists around the globe

Bookmark this article, as it will be updated over time.

* Last updated 30 Nov 2018


How can I help you?

Book a LinkedIn Profile Review to get started, have your Profile fully transformed and invest in a mentoring program from an expert. To find out if I’m the right expert for you, then?book a quick chat, or get started with a?LinkedIn Profile Review.

Charla Bohmann

Mortgage Underwriter with 15+ years of experience in credit and collateral risk evaluation. Skilled in assessing creditworthiness and financing options using analytical, practical, and collaborative methods.

1 个月

Hi, I am unsure if this is the correct platform to get assistance with my LinkedIn account. I have two profiles for the same account. Looking to use only one of them. need an expert to assist me.

回复
Judi Hays

LinkedIn Growth Strategist & Fractional CMO | Trade Show Sales Strategy | AI Prompt Pro | LinkedIn Profile Optimization | Rescue Dog ?? Momma

2 年

This is a keeper! Thank you for including me on the US list. Love the pic of you and Viv. Also wish I could have met you in real life at #SMMW18. That’s was an amazing conference.

回复
Anne Lloyd-Hughes

Graphic Designer, Copy Writer, Brand Manager, Demand Creator, Strategic Thinker

3 年

A great find!

回复
Nigel Quick

Co-Founder of Progress Made Easier

3 年

Jo, a beneficial article. I am looking for professional LinkedIn support in the Uk and will follow up with your network here. I want to work with someone in the UK to make the time difference easier for calls, zoom, or otherwise. Regards, Nigel.

回复
Sandra Clark

Social Media for the Socially Reluctant ? LinkedIn? Training, Consulting & Profiles ? Speaker ? Transforming Profiles for Results

4 年

Jo Saunders - I reacted to and thanked you for mentioning me in this post of yours from 3 years ago at the time but your post came up in a Google search and I just got a client from it! So - thanks again! The gift that goes on giving!

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