Did you know that having a boring headline in your LinkedIn profile can cost you business? Really? You betcha!
Having a boring headline causes people to disconnect from you online, to glibly skip over you – and to seek out your competitors!
Tell you more? Ok, so here’s what happens… your prospects are looking for someone with your talent, skills and services. But when you have a boring headline, they won’t open your profile – no matter how amazing your work is.
You have to get them to open your profile so they can see how wonderful you are, and how beautiful your work is. But if they never “click” to open your profile, it doesn’t matter how good you are as a designer. Simple as that.
Take a look below and see if you are making these additional mistakes in your LinkedIn profile… 
1. Your profile summary reads like an author’s bio.
Many people have been taught to write in the 3rd person. That’s so ‘old school’ these days. And unfortunately, doing so unintentionally creates a “wall” between you and your prospects. LinkedIn is a social networking site where you focus on making professional, personal connections. But how can there be a genuine connection if you’re not speaking to your prospects directly in the 1st person?
Take a look at my LinkedIn profile summary a couple years ago, before it was changed:
“As president of The Shadey Ladies for over 19 years, interior designer Barbara Deckmeyer specializes in providing beautiful shades, exquisite draperies and sumptuous bedding to her clients, which include some of the most prestigious interior designers and homeowners in the world.
As a window treatment specialist, consultant and writer she’s been flown to exotic international locations for her client’s projects and been published in magazines, newspapers and industry publications for over 25 years.”
Seems so obvious to me now… does that sound a bit like your LinkedIn profile summary?
2. Why choose me? Before re-working my Summary, you’ll notice I don’t explain how I’m different and even more importantly how interior designers can benefit from their connection with me. I don’t describe results. And, I certainly haven’t added any calls-to-action. (Not good.)
Nowwww, check out my profile Summary and Specialties (which are almost like headlines themselves) that have been revamped on my LinkedIn profile:
Makes sense now huh? For even more LinkedIn profile and LinkedIn marketing secrets specifically for your business, contact Barbara to learn how you can use Linkedin to get more High Dollar Clients.
Excellent & informative commentary. The 1st person vs 3rd person argument can also be made when responding to actual RFQ or RFP requests.
Good advice! The first person voice makes a huge difference.
A suggestion in return: You might want to run your LinkedIn material past an English Major — inappropriate use of the apostrophe (in’s and out’s) is an immediate turn-off for some people who read and write, especially for those who do it professionally.
Very curious about your postcard mailing. I have done mailings using a more “invitation” approach using an envelope with folding card inside describing my services, website, photo of a project. Higher cost, but certain to be opened, feeling postcards get discarded like junk mail. I’d love to see an example of your postcard.
John
Hi John,
Thanks for your comment! I loooove it when I get questions like this. I’ve been using postcards successfully in my interior design business for many years. They’re one of the core elements in my marketing plan. I always get the best results! As with any marketing element, you have to use them properly and have the right expectations, in order to experience the results you desire. Unfortunately for them, I see many business owners quit using them saying ‘they don’t work’. Yet upon further inspection, I find that one or several of the key elements in the ‘postcard marketing success equation’ was missing. It’d be like trying to run a marathon without the right shoes, or clothing, or training.
Take a look and click HERE for a few samples of interior design postcards. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page.
Let me know if I can answer any more questions for you John.
Warmly,
Barbara 🙂