We all make mistakes on social media every once in a while, and that’s okay. Yet, certain mistakes cost us a great deal. Similar to a cardinal sin; the gaffes presented carry the highest amount of penance around them.
Amongst the abundance of options, LinkedIn is arguably the most important social media site for sales professional. Therefore, a mistake on this network carries consequences in terms of perception of image. This image that one reflects through his profile is important for his/her business relation, a blunder that even the best CRM software can’t fix. However, absolution is attainable, only if you stop committing the following crimes:
1) Not having a summary
For any person, the fear of writing from scratch can be understood as not all are vociferous in conveying their best. Subsequently, instead of writing any summary, perfect or less so, some LinkedIn members succumb to intimidation. Forgoing the summary section has unfortunate repercussions. The summary section is the ideal place to exhibit your personality and allow passion shine through. Without an impactful summary, your profile might as well just be a flat resume, which isn’t terribly interesting to most people. If your summery doesn’t speak out for you, nothing would.
2) Writing your profile like a resume
LinkedIn wouldn’t have caught professional world’s fancy if it was merely a database of resumes. Resumes are stiff, formal, and self-promoting, something that doesn’t talk much beyond the usual set of skills and proficiencies. LinkedIn profiles, on the other hand, should be engaging, conversational and providing a personal blend to professional ideals. Suppose, instead of bragging about self achievements, a sales rep’s LinkedIn profile should instead describe what additional benefits he/ she brought into the clients business framework. By promoting clients instead of themselves, the salesperson will attract hardcore prospects without much headhunting.
3) Busy headlines cramped with buzzwords
Often, while in the lieu of creating an engaging description of self, we end up overdoing the use of buzzwords. Words such as “Guru.” “Ninja.” “Rockstar” might look funky but unless you’re a spiritual master, a secretive assassin, or a member of AC/DC these words should not be in your headline. Not only are they over the top and cringe-inducing, they’re also self-promoting. The choice of words is a reflection of what you want to convey and the image of a yuppie professional, trying too hard to fit in with the millennial is the last image you want to be associated with.
4) Zero picture etiquettes
People frequently say that it’s better to have a bad picture than none at all. Yet, there are some types of pictures that are just too personal to be kept on a professional platform. Pictures of your latest achievements are great but uploads of post-party shenanigans should be left for personal networking portals. Inappropriate pictures may scare away the people you’re looking to connect with, leaving your professional image a bad light. So, if your pictures contain drunk faces and revealing outfits, it would be wise to remove them ASAP.
Conclusion
A well-utilized LinkedIn profile can complete the task of a well equipped Sales Automation tool; hence marketers should tread carefully and make the most.
