You’re on LinkedIn – Now What?

Time Block, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3. You can get lost on LinkedIn – be disciplined, get in and then get out. Perform three daily tasks and you will be amazed at the activity it will generate!

1. Review & respond to messages/invites in your LinkedIn mailbox - Review invitations from folks that have asked you to become part of their network. Accept or decline. Did you know there is a little known feature on LinkedIn that allows you to ‘Reply (Don’t Accept Yet’) – this feature is found only when viewing invitations from the Message Center. If there is someone who has asked you to connect with them and you are unsure as to whether or not you want to include them as part of your network, you can use this feature to say something such as:
   
   “Thank you for asking me to connect with you on LinkedIn. Can you share with me how we know each other or why you would like to connect on LinkedIn?” If you don’t hear back from them then explaining how they can help you or you help them, you more than likely do not want to connect with them.
   
   As an advisor you can really stand out by sending a follow up note once someone accepts your invite or you have accepted theirs. After connecting with them send them a LinkedIn message and say something such as:
   
   When referring to a connection request you sent:
   “Hi Joe, thank you for accepting my LinkedIn invitation. If there is anything I can do for you please let me know. I look forward to chatting with you at some point. Best, Laura (insert phone number)”
   
   When referring to a connection request you received:
   “Hi Sima, thank you for asking me to connect on LinkedIn, I am happy to have you as part of my network. I look forward to chatting with you at some point. Best, Laura (insert phone number)”
       
2. Review the ‘Who’s Viewed Your Profile’ - if someone interesting has checked you out, you may want to in turn check them out. You can even send them a message:
   
   When viewed by someone you do not know:
   “Hi Jackie, it looks as though we share many common connections. Therefore I would love to make you part of my LinkedIn network and possibly grab coffee if you are open to it. Interested? Best, Laura (insert phone number)”
   When viewed by one of your connections:
   “Hi Sal, hope all is well in your world! I would love to catch up over coffee or lunch – are you available on Thursday? Best, Laura (insert phone number)”
      
3. Review Connections > ‘Keep in Touch’ - Each day make sure you are keeping in touch with those that mean something to you; clients, prospects, friends and family. LinkedIn enables you to differentiate yourself and show that you care. How? Through Connections > ‘Keep in Touch’ see video below as well as cheat sheet.

If you can’t access this YouTube video through your firm’s firewall, you can also check it out on my website lauravirili.com or view this from your mobile device.

Download the Printable Quick Reference Guide

 

LinkedIn works if you work it!

Be sure to check out the additional videos in this series on my YouTube Channel or directly from my site, LauraVirili.com, to learn how to Kill it Online & Off.

Client Acquisition Through Innovative Events – Taking it Offline!

You have sourced names for introductions online. You have an affluent client base and you know the high net worth market has a variety of complex needs and high expectations. High net worth clients switch advisors, and one of the main reasons is the quality, or lack thereof, of service. Attracting and retaining this discerning clientele will require you to go above and beyond offering your basic products and services – that’s a given!

You need to offer unique and memorable experiences, customized events that tap into the interests and values of your clients and prospects creating a lasting impression.

Creating an experience is not just about entertaining your clients and prospects, it is about engaging them! Think outside the box, the goal is to zero in on your interests, whether it is art, travel, leisure activities and/or community events, then customize the events to those interests. This helps connect you with whom you have a natural affinity. Below, is a video that takes you through the Top 10 ideas for innovative events, memorable events, as well as a quick reference guide (AKA Cheat Sheet) to serve as a reminder.

If you can’t access this YouTube video through your firm’s firewall, you can also check it out on my website lauravirili.com or view this from your mobile device.

Download the Printable Quick Reference Guide

 

Be sure to check out the additional videos in this series on my YouTube Channel or directly from my site, LauraVirili.com, to learn how to Kill it Online & Off.

A Financial Advisor’s Guide to a Winning LinkedIn Profile

So, you have a profile on LinkedIn, but have you taken the time to ensure that it’s attracting more business by differentiating you from everyone else? Does it make someone who has never met you before feel connected and comfortable with the idea of doing business with you?

We all know the importance of making a great first impression - it’s paramount.  And more than likely, the first time someone gets to know you, it will be through your online presence, so if your profile simply states the kind of work you do and it has a picture that says, “I just grabbed whatever I could find” (or you have no picture at all – gasp!), no one’s going to care, if they even notice you in the first place.

Think about a high-net-worth individual comparing two advisors. One has a complete and compelling profile, from an engaging business casual photo to a well written summary, highlighting who they are and who they serve best, as well as contact information.  The other has an incomplete profile with a stiff, unapproachable photo, a sentence or two lifted from their advisor website for their summary, and no contact information. Who is the high-net-worth client going to reach out to?
For all the deets on winning profile pictures (including some Do’s & Don’ts), take a look at this short video…

(or download this printable quick reference guide)

 

Now that you’ve got their attention, let’s make sure you’ve got the words to back it up.  Your LinkedIn Summary is your opportunity to describe what separates you from other advisors and it has all the power to engage or deter.

Unfortunately, people have limited attention spans and within seconds an individual will determine whether they would like to engage with you or click away, never to return.  Your LinkedIn summary is prime real estate to differentiate you from the competition. It should be engaging & succinct, passionate & personal.  And it’s essential to build a stellar LinkedIn profile that is in-line with who you are in the real world.

The Summary section gives you 2000 characters to differentiate yourself – to tell your story! Your summary should not be a carbon copy of your advisor website, but rather compliment it.  Nor should it be written resume style.  Your summary is your opportunity to humanize yourself and connect with individuals in a unique way online.

Want to Build a Persuasive & Compelling Profile with Minimal Effort?
Check out this short video…

(or download this printable quick reference guide)

 

Once you've followed these steps to build a profile that's stellar, be sure to check out the additional videos in this series on my YouTube Channel or directly from my site, LauraVirili.com, to learn how to Kill it Online & Off.