How to Use Linkedin to Get Consulting Clients
Founded in 2003, LinkedIn helps business professionals connect and collaborate, but it also provides an outlet for job seekers. With more than 2 million companies housing pages on LinkedIn, job seekers have plenty of opportunities to find employment, including consulting jobs. LinkedIn can be used to get consulting clients for those who are looking for temporary work, want to build their resume or supplement their existing employment. Although LinkedIn does not guarantee jobs, its features can help a candidate highlight their best features to potential clients.
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Instructions
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Build a compelling profile. LinkedIn allows job seekers to break from the mold of the traditional resume and cover letter and bring a more personable approach to their expertise. Use the elements of the profile to highlight skills and tell your story using your own voice. Within the headline, let potential clients know that you are available for consulting work. In the summary, tell the client what you are about and what you can bring to the table as a consultant.
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Completely fill out the profile. Be sure to finish each section of the profile, including adding a professional photo. According to LinkedIn, job seekers who have a complete profile are 40 times more likely to incur opportunities.
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Implement keywords effectively. Research the keywords that are relevant to the industry or company you are interested in and use those throughout your profile. This will help ensure that your name shows up in search results.
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Use your connections to the best of your advantage. Develop a network of contacts by searching for, and reaching out to your past and present colleagues, classmates and employers, as well as those you know though industry and professional associations. Send requests directly to any consulting clients you have already met, and are familiar with. Personalize those invitations rather than using the standard LinkedIn language. Use your other connections to help introduce you to any potential clients within their network.
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Request recommendations. Choose your most trusted contacts - including previous or current consulting clients - and ask them to write a recommendation for you. Recommendations can help give your profile validity and show potential consulting clients that you are a valuable employee. To send out recommendation requests, choose "Profile" from the main LinkedIn toolbar, then "Recommendations" and "Request Recommendations."
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Join and participate in groups. There are a wide range of groups offered by LinkedIn that can help job seekers by connecting them with potential consulting clients either directly or indirectly through their other employees. Groups are also an opportunity to showcase expertise and get the word out about your experience, interests and job aspirations.
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Open up your profile to public view. A private profile prevents consulting clients who are not in your network from finding you. To change a profile from private to public, go to "Settings," which is located under name in the right corner of your LinkedIn page. Edit the settings to determine who can see what within your profile. You can choose to open your full profile to public view, or just pieces.
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Consider upgrading to a Job Seeker account. Basic LinkedIn accounts are available at no cost to anyone. For a fee, users can choose one of three Job Seeker subscriptions. These accounts offer additional features to help connect you with consulting clients. You appear at the top of search results and also have more opportunities to directly connect with clients.
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References
- LinkedIn: Press Center: Company History
- Guy Kawasaki; "Ten Ways to Use LinkedIn to Find a Job"; February 2, 2009
- LinkedIn: Press Center: About Us
- LinkedIn: Learning Center: Job Seekers
- LinkedIn: Subscription Plans
- NWJobs; "How LinkedIn Job Seeker Premium Account can shorten your transition time"; Paul Anderson; January 31, 2011
Resources
- Photo Credit Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images
