The legal world is competitive, and it can be difficult to stand out from other lawyers offering the same services. LinkedIn provides you with an opportunity to showcase how you differ from other lawyers in your field. This is the social media platform that is most trusted by professionals and where you can focus your attention on some professional networking.
How do I make my profile stand out?
When creating your LinkedIn profile, you need to convey the message that you are top in your practice area. Do this by developing an optimized platform.
Here are 7 tips that ensure your profile stands out:
1. Your profile photo and background images speak more than words
According to LinkedIn, people who prefer not to use a profile photo have a 14 times smaller chance of being found. The best type of photo to use is a recent high-quality headshot with a light background.
Don’t use a full-length photo or one where you are in a group. The better the quality of your photo, the better you will stand out. This is because LinkedIn photos are tiny. Additionally, make sure the background in your photo is not cluttered since this will draw attention away from you.
Create a background image that is professional and represents your brand. A graphic designer can help with this. Think about including your phone number or your website’s URL, allowing people to get your contact information visually.
2. Importance of the headline
LinkedIn has expanded its headline to 200 characters or less. Take advantage of this to describe more than just your job title. Take the opportunity to tell prospective clients in a catchy way who you are, what you do, and why you are the best at what you do.
3. Elevate your pitch in the summary
The summary portion of your profile is where you can share robust content about your practice. You can let your creativity loose and use this area to elevate your pitch. Consider linking to other sites, using photos, and even creating a short, precise video presentation.
4. Showcase your professional experience
Since LinkedIn is designed to showcase professional experience, take the opportunity to present this information. Make sure to include all your experience relevant to your potential clients clearly and concisely. Highlighting your past accomplishments and areas of expertise allows you to establish credibility.
This is likely to be the lengthiest section of your profile. Follow these best practices to ensure it is easier for prospective clients to find you and read:
- Break up the text by using bullets and basic formatting
- Include keywords and phrases
- Proofread to ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors.
5. Understand your audience and build relationships
Before starting your profile, you must have a good idea of what you want to achieve. Plan it to reach your target audience, whether you are looking to promote your practice, your podcasts, or speak at conferences.
Once you have created your profile, start to converse with people in the legal industry, create and share content, join relevant groups, and use this as an opportunity to learn. Being active on LinkedIn will ensure you come to mind when people need the services you provide.
6. Testimonials speak for you
Testimonials are a great way to have someone else speak on your behalf. Take advantage of the fact that LinkedIn lets you feature endorsements and recommendations. Don’t forget to ask clients or colleagues to post a review or endorse the areas you specialize in. Whenever possible, return the favor.
7. Make sure clients can find you
LinkedIn is a powerful platform for developing business relationships and an online reputation because of its audience size (over 700 million) and its search engine strength. Post the original content on your website and then an abbreviated version on LinkedIn and link back to your website for additional information.
Customize your LinkedIn URL to make it a shorter and more accurate link. This makes it easier to add it to your email signature or business cards, and it’s also easier for people to remember.
Can lawyers advertise on LinkedIn?
Linkedin has a huge and growing audience that lawyers can and should tap into.
How do lawyers use LinkedIn?
Make sure to have a compelling proifile with a professionally done head shot. The headline is particularly important.
Is the use of Linkedin by attorneys govern by rules of professional responsibility?
State bar associations have attorney advertising rules and online profiles are often covered by them.
