5 Steps to Creating a LinkedIn Profile that Google loves!

Did you know that 89% of recruiters have used LinkedIn to fill a position at some point and that 97% of all HR and staffing professionals use LinkedIn for their recruiting efforts?

Most people in business do not realise that LinkedIn is THE most likely website to show up if someone searches your name in a search engine, and that a recruiter or employer will only spend 5-7 seconds on a profile. That’s not a whole lot of time, so, with this in mind… you need to make it count!

When it comes to LinkedIn, I believe in the ‘build it and they will come’ theory. You are in complete control over what others see on your profile, so leverage this to showcase your skills and talents, so the right people and opportunities find you.

Build it and they will Come

1. Tailor your Headline

Every time you appear on LinkedIn your headline, or personal tagline, goes with you. Consider the short time frame mentioned earlier of 5-7 seconds, by looking at your headline will a recruiter be able to see what you can do in 5 seconds? Below is my example of a headline, using keywords, separated by a line so it’s easy to read and summed up in 10 words.

2. Your Summary

This is basically your pitch – targeted at the people you want to see it, i.e. potential employers. Your pitch needs to showcase why you are different and the value you can bring to an organisation. Again, make sure you include some of the keywords which recruiters are likely to be searching for.

I recommend a Short and a Long summary. Your Short summary will sum up your skills and experience in 2 – 3 lines. It should be punchy and succinct, enticing enough to draw an employer to read on. Remember they are busy people, let them know who you are from the get go. Your Long summary should elaborate on your experience, including your value proposition.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

3. Change your URL

By default,  LinkedIn users get a randomly-generated URL address for their public profiles. The default URL will look something like this: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/99/56b/000

With a few clicks of the mouse you can select your own custom URL, which would look more like this: http://www.au.linkedin.com/in/patriciatselepi

The benefits – it’s easier to remember, easier to share, easily searchable and therefore more likely to successfully direct someone to your profile. Add your name so there can be no trouble finding you.

4. Add in specialties using Keywords

Use strategic keywords throughout your profile and target your profile toward the job and industry you are applying for. One size does not fit all!  You will be looking for people within your network and connections to endorse your skills so rather than list a large series of words, you are better to add the skills you can be sure people will support. Quality over quantity!

5. Update your activity

Status updates and changes to your profile will send a message to your network, and appear on the feed. This is an easy way to get noticed! Update your profile, join groups and build your connections.  Social sites which involve daily engagement will rank higher than most static websites because Google likes an active profile.

Following these tips will help you to be found a lot easier in any search engine by potential employers and recruiters, and ultimately, land you that new job you’re after.

I hope you have found these tips to optimise your LinkedIn profile helpful. Please message me if you have further questions or feel free to leave a reply below.

July 18, 2013June 11, 2015 by Trish Chat Categories: LinkedIn, SEOTags: candidate, employer, Google, headlines, job, jobsearch, Keywords, LinkedIn, recruiter, search engines, summary Leave a comment

What’s at the core of Apple’s conscience?

So, Apple have brought out a phone that, with its aim to maintain its position in the telecommunications race, leaves it’s accompanying accessories obsolete. The new iPhone 5 with it’s latest enhancements has introduced, Lighting aka LTE, which is a new port at the bottom of the phone. The port consists of a tiny hole and eight little pins that accepts an entirely new plug, which means you’ll need a new adapter, or dock, or both if you use them all for your current iPhone.

I am very aware that the aim of technology today is to make a product that is ‘not meant to last’, very opposite to the products of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s when purchasing an electrical item was done with great consideration for the brand, features and how many years you could get out of it. In the past, at least ten years was the aim, today you would be lucky if you could get to five.

However, that is not all due to quality (or should I say lack of quality) of the products. A big part is largely due to the fact that owning a mobile phone is seen as a form of self-expression.  Associated with status, peer pressure and in part these days, the value of your material accessories, define who you are.  A phone is a measure of worth, social standing and as human beings, we are status conscious machines.  Today’s generation are concerned with ‘looking good’, and having the latest gadgets seems to quantify their aim.

I recently got laughed at when I took my 1G iPhone to an Apple store, asking (out of curiosity), if Apple made external accessories that could connect a radio channel. The young pubescent teen in the customary primary coloured t-shirt, took it from my hand and marvelled at it’s design, flipping it over he expressed “WOW, I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of these ”. It was in fact made in 2007. As I said, 5 years is ancient in the technological world. It’s hard to know if his comment was with regard to the age of it, or the fact that it was still working. Either way, I think someone needs to create an iPhone museum and get these gadgets in there fast…

I wonder greatly about the environmental implications this new iPhone 5 addition creates. What will happen to all those adapters and docks looking for a place to die, fitting only to what will predictably become a large majority of older model phones? Will they accumulate in time, floating out to join the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the sea?!

I take my hat off to company iXchange who have recognised that people want to claim the latest iPhone available and instead of throwing out their old one they can sell them or have them disposed of in an envrironmentally responsible way.  iXchange’s approach to e-waste is great and something we need to see more of, I only hope someone can come up with a way to reuse or recycle the accessories that the new iPhone 5 has displaced.

September 20, 2012June 17, 2013 by Trish Chat Categories: Phones, Sustainability, TechnologyTags: Apple, e-waste, electrical, environment, iphone, iphone5, ixchange, recycle, reuse, Sustainability 4 Comments

Inevitable changes in a Facebook world

After a slight social media blog hiatus I am BACK and boy has there been a commotion since I’ve been away with Facebook hogging most of the limelight.

We’ve been hearing about page updates, changes and adds whilst the ever evolving  Facebook Vs Google+ debate gains further momentum. New measurements for Facebook Insights, Facebook Timelines, Subscribe Buttons, News Ticker, Smart Lists, News Feed and Improved Friends lists are just some of the buzz words rocking the boat.

There have been a mixture of reactions from the general public through posts and  tweets, a blend of anger, frustration, surprise and a teensy weensy speck of rejoicing.  Some groups have even chosen to display their emotions through self created dedication pages of complaint, with titles such as: “I HATE WHEN F A C E B O O K MAKES CHANGES TO OUR HOMEPAGE!!!!!!” or “Faceboòk is like a female.A mission to figure out & when you do, it changes” .

(For your amusement – and mine – I have added a screen shot of some of the titles for a bit of a laugh!)

As Bertolt Brecht once stated “Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are”.  This is particularly true of Facebook.

For some reason when it comes to new technology people are especially queasy about learning new things. And being old is no longer an excuse. Pretty much every generation is represented and affected by social media platforms and because the platform in question  caters to the general public and businesses there will always be the desire to improve and develop it, and with that, the need to learn it and use it.

Therefore, the question is not What new changes do I need to learn now?  the more important question is Where does this leave my current online social strategy?
 

October 6, 2011June 17, 2013 by Trish Chat Categories: Business, Facebook, Google+Tags: Faceook changes, Insights, news lisst, subscribe, timelines Leave a comment

I ♥ it .. I love it .. I like it?

These days the word Like has developed into a whole new meaning. Facebook has turned Like, flexible and potent with its veritable range of uses, into a word with the power of an executioners thumb.

Facebook has redefined the word, creating Like as a term all on it’s own. Now Liking something can suggest an experience you’ve had, similar to when you search online or better said, when you ‘google’ something. Like is so influential it even inspired a baby name for a couple in Israel. Go Figure!

In most cases like is used to compare something or to show appreciation. Or, more recently it has been used within popular modern discourse, (far too frequently), by Generation Y or Millennial groups as they unconsciously express favour with a like, in every corner of the their conversation. Throw a few more likes in and you may just have a new audience.

Today that small somewhat deceivingly strong word governs a Social Media Marketers credibility as it delivers daily the measure of their campaigns success. Whilst for Brand Managers it is a statistical dream as it shows in an instant the value of their budget spending. It is a way to track the success of a campaign at the flash of a digit. Like, is simply comprised of four little letters, however, it has the ability to influence a wave of people within a network, at the click of a button world wide.

In my opinion there are two types of people who Like. The first type is the kind that Like with gay abandon clicking the button that will lead them into an online portal of brand advertising, competitions and followers without hesitation. They may be lured in by the snazzy advertising, video clips or promise of more inside. Each one of them surrendering to their curiosity but primarily lead in by a promotion.

Whilst the second group are very selective with their Likes. Saving them for the appropriate moment, only choosing the thumbs up when absolutely necessary or convinced. This type are very aware that their acceptance of a page will be plastered across their personal profile, showing their approval and an indication of the things they agree with. Knowing very well that when they “Like”, a link appears in their Facebook feed and therefore their friends have a chance of seeing it. But just how powerful is the Like button?

A recent Exact Target report showed that 40% of people Liked a page for the discounts and promotions whilst 39% of people Liked to show support of the company to others. The third top reason at 36%, was that they connected to get a Freebie. This is no real surprise. What is surprising though is that only 13% Like a page to actually interact or for education. So whilst people are intrinsically social they will at most only be motivated to join when there is something to gain. Therefore it’s important to keep the promotion top of mind in any business strategy.

As many more businesses take to the biggest flavour of the (pretty long) moment and migrate to Facebook their need for Likes will grow but just what lengths businesses will go to to gain followers is anybodies guess.  Love it or hate it one way or another they’re going to want you to Like it.

Follow me on Twitter for more Social Media chat.

August 15, 2011June 17, 2013 by Trish Chat Categories: Business, Facebook, Media, Social Media, TwitterTags: Business, Facebook, Generation Y, Google, Like, Like Button, Marketing, Promotions, ROI, Social Media, TrishChat Leave a comment

Does Religion have a place at the proverbial ‘Digital’ Table?

If social media is a form of community and religions form community and both are about uniting community, why wouldn’t religion fit here?

The other day I was reading through a list of Twitter headlines, building my connections and deciding from whom I’d like to hear, when I came upon a headline that read “I’m a Christian, a Web Developer, a Computer Analyst and a Farmer”.

My first response was to laugh. Wow I thought this guy must be busy. I considered posting it on Facebook along with the caption “Would you follow him?” and then stopped to look at why I was so humored by his headline, because, when I really looked at it and I guess if I was really being honest with myself, I actually felt a little…..well, a little perturbed, as I’m not in the habit of defining people by their religions.

Did religion belong in social networks? When did it matter if you were a Computer Analyst by day and went home to pray to your sacred God by night? In what world did it become au fait to add ‘Jesus-follower. Contemporary Christian recording artist. Author. American Idol Season 5 finalist’ like a prerequisite on a Resume, to your headline. I could just hear them now ‘Ah yes I’ll hire the God fearing Evangelist please, at least I can be sure my computer analytics will be coming from a “good” source’.

We had come a long way from the days of the bible bashing door knockers (hallelujah!) and the hotel room bibles (can I get an Amen!), so to once again face them on my social space and in my very own room, was a little confronting. Did I really need the TweetOracle citing phrases of the bible telling me ‘We shall make it to heaven on judgement day’ and that ‘We shall not be harmed by the snares of the devil’…before I’d barely choked down my breakfast?

A quick search on Facebook and Twitter for well known religious folk brought up a list that some might say, reached the heavens, with many of them being followed by nearly 1 million people! Personalities like Pastor Cash Luna, Evangelist Billy Graham or Christian Rick Warren, who incidentally claimed to live in a ‘State of Grace’, (I’m betting there’s no extra star on the flag for that little slice of goodness) with each person brandishing their views or regurgitating their holy book.

There’s no doubt the digital age has brought a lot of people, communities and countries closer and sure, we all have the choice to read, listen or follow these people…each to their own I say, but how would you feel if your friends started sprouting their religious views in their status updates or tweeting an Amen! to every post you made? Would you be expected to comment? Would you stay open minded and allow them the freedom of your Facebook wall? Would you feel able to contribute your views? Or would you suddenly de-friend them? Maybe, you already have.

Or maybe, just maybe, you are religious and the advent of Google+ circles and huddles has allowed you a place to preach to great delight without effecting your business network or those you are not so sure would appreciate it.  If the very notion of community is a social group working together as one, isn’t it only fitting that religion might produce a sermon from this platform. What better way to pass through borders, expand the horizons and reach a multitude of people in their own living rooms.

After all, If I can be inspired by the work of Nelson Mandela, the philosophy of Ghandi and the words of the Dalai Lama and feel moved to post their quotes to my status updates so too the philosophies of spiritual and religious leaders delicately woven into the rich tapestry of the ‘proverbial’ digital table.

Image sourced from savinien.fr

July 28, 2011June 17, 2013 by Trish Chat Categories: Facebook, Google+, Religion, Social Media, TwitterTags: Business, Community, Digital, Facebook, Religion, Social Media, Twitter, Wall 3 Comments

Media waits for no man!

Media and in particular Social Media waits for no man!!!

It was only 18 hours earlier that Rupert Murdoch media tycoon appeared at a parliamentary inquiry and was the victim of a foam pie throwing protestor named Jonnie Marbles. To his defense leapt his wife Wendi Deng, who had been sitting protectively behind him. Wendi acted with lightening speed able to get a couple king hits in before the protestor was dragged from the room.

In no time the news had spread like wildfire. Rapidly Wendi Deng was becoming a well versed name. Within 16hrs Google had even added the pie throwing incident to the Career section of her Wikipedia bio and her face and video could be seen on every news site, Twitter feed and Facebook post update. Suddenly Wendi was a star.

So too the man of the moment Mr Jonnie Marbles who tweeted ‘It is a far better thing that I do now than I have ever done before #splat‘ moments before he went into action. I would like to know just how many extra fans Mr Marbles received on Twitter today from this little stunt alone. The figures will definitely be fascinating. Though I’m sure he probably doesn’t even know since he’s no doubt sitting in a jail cell somewhere unable to post a new update!! Perhaps that’s the safest place for him, as on the outside his YouTube comedy clips (I use this term comedy loosely) continue to receive a barrage of negative and furious rants from disgruntled haters.

As far as Mr Murdoch, I actually think this whole event helped him to win sympathy. He wasn’t looking too good before this and with his young wife coming to his rescue the fragile old Murdoch looked every part the victim which is sure to help his image in the end. One things for sure, with new social media sites popping up like zits on a pubescent adolescent and ever present commentators at the ready, we are bound to hear more than we need and witness more unsuspecting stars come to light!

Image sourced from: ninemsn.com

July 20, 2011July 24, 2011 by Trish Chat Categories: Facebook, Media, Twitter, YouTubeTags: Facebook, Jonnie Marbles, Media, Rupert Murdoch, Social Media, Tiwtter, Wendi Deng 1 Comment

To Blog or not to Blog…

To Blog or not to Blog… is that really the question??

I suppose in the Social Media Platform Race blogging may seem to have taken a backseat behind the new media debate of Facebook versus Google+ but I’m guessing if you are still tossing up the To Blog or not To Blog question you are still not convinced and with good reason. I’d even go so far as to guess you’re probably not marketing your company, service, views or business via other social media sites yet. My next question would be. Why not?

More businesses are realising the power of social media and are increasingly turning to blogging as a way to rank higher in search engines or connect to their customers. Real time responses are worth it’s weight in gold. Long gone are the days of stagnant websites that cost a fortune and take a professional to upgrade.  A blog allows you to do it yourself and update it as you please.

If you are actively blogging then you will have a better chance of being found. Blogs allow your client to interact and comment on your service. Dated testimonials are no longer needed. Nowadays it’s Likes and Followers that rate your success and give you credibility.

Before making a buying decision customers are looking to retailers stories and consumer responses.  By blogging you are providing excellent backlinking and higher ranking in search engines. What’s not to love about that? An uploaded image from your Facebook Business Page or embedded video from your YouTube channel doesn’t hurt either.

Blogging will help traffic generation, that’s guaranteed, plus it will give you an online space to market or advertise your product from little to no cost. With that in mind I highly recommend to take the plunge, answer the question and don’t be afraid to comment. It’s worth it!

Image sourced from: growmap.com

July 20, 2011July 20, 2011 by Trish Chat Categories: Blogging, Business, Facebook, Google+, SEO, Social Media, YouTubeTags: Backlinking, Blogging, Blogs, Facebook, Google, SEO, Traffic Leave a comment

Blogging for Your Business

Very often I find I have to coach my clients with the best way to blog for their business. Some are absolute stars, naturals who cant stop writing once they put fingertip to key, whilst others can often feel they have nothing to say, yet when questioned about their business it can be hard to get a word in edgewise. If you fall into either of these categories then Blogging is the medium for you. The only thing you need to keep in mind is the reason you are writing in this space and most importantly why you are here.

When Blogging for your business remember to  provide information of the product or service. I always advise to stand in the customers shoes for a moment or better yet, (this is a lot more comfortable) sit in the swivel chair of your client. What are your customers needs? What keywords are your prospective customers using? By this I mean what are people typing into a search engine such as Google, Yahoo or Bing. These are the potential customers you want to attract. Remember there are about 50 million or more blogs out there, so you need to write in a way that will help your blog be found, introducing – Search Engine Optimisation.

SEO or Search Engine Optimisation is a big thing to consider when blogging. Bloggers need to keep in mind that most people will be searching on their pain. For example, a Masseuse’s client will be the one that is typing into a search engine keywords (or tags) such as ‘headache, sore, muscles, aches, pains’ rather than technical terms such as, ‘shiatsu, acupressure or bio-dynamic’.

Very often the lingo or terminology you use as a business owner or employee will not be used by the everyday person as they are not in that world. Professional people use a language all their own. Depending on what profession the person belongs to, dictates the language they use. When the professional is dealing with the general public, they sometimes forget that they need to use “laymans” terms in order to be understood.

So consider your client and most of all provide your service. Below are a few tips to use when blogging.

1. Always keep the goal and aim in sight. If it helps, write it down first then begin to write your blog with that in mind. This will give you a  visual goal to refer back to.
2. Go back to basics – Explain clearly what, how, why and where. e.g What is the product or Business, How does it work, Why would I want to buy/use it (list benefits) and Where can I access it. (here you can add the website, give your phone number, email address or add a clickable link)
3. Use your stories. Be very clear and remember to explain each character and product and why it is important to the story. Don’t be afraid to remind the reader of where they can buy the product and just how easy it is to get. Remember you believe in the product that’s why you are giving them this free and useful information.
4. Add a Success Story – Has a customer bought something from you and been extremely happy with their purchase?
5. Tagging & Categorising – Tagging is the specific words that people search with on Google. Categorizing is the umbrella term to file your blog posts into. I like to imagine it like a filing cabinet. Your categories are the the titled folders and your tags are the various individual papers that file into the folder. E.g  Category – Childrens Toys   Tag – Dora The Explorer Doll
6. If you mention an especially large known brand name in your blog, you must include this as a tag, it as well as other common everyday words are most likely to be used in a search.
7. Keep your stories interesting and always relate it to your product or service in a fun and enjoyable way!

Or leave a question or comment!

 

Image sourced from: acutenewmedia.com

March 30, 2011July 20, 2011 by Trish Chat Categories: Blogging, BusinessTags: Blogging, Business, categorising, categorizing, Google, Product, Search Engine, SEO, tagging Leave a comment