In my pitch to convince prospective clients why they need a LinkedIn coach, I gingerly ask a few questions, knowing I could be encroaching on a sensitive topic or two or three.
Everyone knows they need to ask for help, and many do infrequently, ego, money or something else getting in the way. Imagine this conversation:
To herself: “How much more can this guy Marc help me express my true persona and career story beyond what I already have said on LinkedIn?”
Me: “Have you taken a look at your profile as it stands now” Is it telling “why you? ”
“It’s good enough. It’s from my resume.”
“Your resume is like your obituary, as I always say, it’s a backward-looking, factoidy two-pager of what you did in the past 20-30 years. Why be so limited to what you accomplished? Why not tell why and who you are now, based on where you came from and hint at future aspirations as well, in a narrative speaking directly to the reader?”
“Hmmm. Interesting idea, but I can try to do that myself.”
“OK, you will not enjoy this and not go as deeply as I get you to go to express your “why.” You need help doing this, from an expert with 10 years’ experience, 2 books, and thousands of clients and webinar attendees. And have a look at my recommendations from former clients.”
“Perhaps, but I’ll figure it out.”
“One last comment: You don’t pull your own teeth, do you? You go to an expert with experience.”
“Well…you have a good point. Send me a proposal.”
Mission partially accomplished.
Until recently the “you don’t cut your own hair” counter argument worked well for people with good teeth. Now that barbershops and hair salons are closed for the pandemic, I may resurrect that line. Heard of a Flowbee?
Thankfully, I doubt the teeth argument will ever become a do-it-yourself task, though.
Same with LinkedIn: you definitely need an objective experienced expert to coach you produce a beautiful end result.
And if we worked together years ago, I still could help you.
No teeth- or hair-pulling, Guaranteed.
Tomorrow: Guest blogger Kimberly Rice tells how she uses LinkedIn well and how well it has served her business. You’ll want to read her comments and take notes from her, as an example!
