Most first impressions now are digital. Before that all-important call or meeting, the first step for a client or prospect is to conduct online research, looking to find more information on who they’re meeting. And your LinkedIn profile is one of the first pieces of information one will find.
Is your profile in need of a summer reboot? Grab some popcorn and tune into these blockbuster LinkedIn reminders:
Say Goodbye to Jurassic Images. Isyour LinkedIn profile photo prehistoric? It’s time to make that old image extinct and add a headshot that is up to date. Don’t forget to add a banner graphic and detailed headline to differentiate yourself from the herd.
Highlight Your Hammer. Successful attorneys have a secret weapon, just like Thor has his hammer. Displaying a distinct skill set and noting your key strengths and accomplishments can help set you apart from the crowd. Have you become the go-to resource for a specific area of law? Were you previously in-house and have a unique perspective of the industry? Use LinkedIn to build your brand and show.
Be a Minion. Everyone loves minions because they don’t take themselves too seriously and aren’t afraid to be themselves. When deciding what to post, be your authentic self and interact with what you find entertaining, enlightening and relevant to your interests. You’ll soon find these authentic posts will garner high engagement among your connections.
It’s Time to Buzz the Tower. Did you recently win an award, author an article, give a presentation or speak at a conference? Are you making an impact in your community? Celebrate your successes and thought leadership by sharing it with your network. Don’t forget to also recognize others in your squad and their accomplishments as well.
Travel Through Time to Grow Your Network. Just as Dr. Strange can travel through the Multiverse, you too can build on your past connections to grow your LinkedIn network. Reach out to your undergraduate and law school connections and cultivate those relationships. Connect with former colleagues and peers from prior firms and companies. Engaging via LinkedIn is an easy way to stay top of mind, and you never know in what company and position they may land. Ensure your network consists of contacts from various backgrounds and industries as each contact will help provide unique perspectives and opportunities.
Take Your Social Media to Infinity (and Beyond!). Don’t forget to channel your inner space ranger and continue your LinkedIn networking offline. For relationships to grow, blossom and develop, they need more than instant messages and comments posted to a timeline. Social media is a great tool to use for outreach to connections for coffee or lunch or when traveling out of town.
Don’t be Cruel to Your LinkedIn Profile. A robust profile and consistent engagement are key tools to help keep your LinkedIn singing. Engage, interact and share content regularly to stay top of mind with your connections. Set calendar reminders periodically to review and update your profile content.
What do all of these blockbuster movies have in common? They tell a story that leaves the viewers wanting more. Your LinkedIn profile should function in the same way. Your connections and prospects should see the story you are telling through your posts and engagement. More industry insights from you, more articles that help them solve issues at hand, more ways a friend of yours can help them with a need outside of your scope.
We all have stories to tell. Are you telling yours through LinkedIn?
Amy Trevino: Amy finds joy in making the big world smaller. An avid listener and people observer, she draws on her legal marketing and business development experience working with firms of various sizes to discover and anticipate needs of clients and Dykema attorneys. Amy is a senior business development and marketing manager based in San Antonio.
Sarah Minjoe: With more than 14 years of AmLaw 150 legal business development and marketing experience, Sarah helps lawyers connect the dots to promote growth and win business. She is a senior business development and marketing manager at Dykema based in Dallas.
Amy Trevino and Sarah Minjoe are part of a Dykema business development and marketing department that was recognized by the Legal Marketing Association Southwest Region with a Your Honor Award in 2021. This year’s LMA Southwest Regional Conference is in Dallas from Oct. 12-14. Click here for more information.