13 out of 30-LinkedIn-Top-Tips-Expert-Doctor-David-Petherick

30 LinkedIn Tips: #13/30 – Be human

30 short, useful, actionable LinkedIn tips in 30 days from Doctor David Petherick. #30by30 #TheDoctorisIn

#13/30: Be human in your profile.

Tell me about yourself. And talk to me as an individual.

I may be interested in the fact that you like scuba diving and cricket. Then again I may not.

I may have a lifetime of loathing for Arsenal, but at least I can start a conversation with you a little more easily now that I know you support them, or send you an appropriate message when your football team wins (or loses) the league.

Your love of horses, funk music or fine wines is something I may not connect with - but it can certainly be the starting point for a conversation.

  • When I read your profile, I don't want to just learn about your business, and how ace you are at that thing you do. I want to feel I have had the equivalent of a chat over a cup of coffee with you, or perhaps a drink or two, and have got to know you a little.

An important part of the job your LinkedIn profile has to do is to act as the starting point for a conversation. And so the more you give people to talk about, the more chance there is of sparking a conversation.

Let's talk. The Doctor is In...

Let's talk. The Doctor is In...

I'm interested in, for example:

  • Wine
  • French, Spanish, Italian and Indian Cooking
  • 20th Century & contemporary literature
  • Travel
  • Catalan history
  • Scottish history
  • Cinema
  • Whisky
  • Photography
  • Politics
  • Formula 1

Plenty of topics there to spark a conversation, aren't there?

People buy people - don't disappoint them

People buy people, whatever their business is. And if you're not a person people want to buy into, you are making things difficult for yourself.

So talk about yourself, and let people know about your enthusiasms and passions. A good place to do this is in your 'about' section.

Be you. Be interesting, and interested. Be human. Then people will want to connect.

About David Petherick

The Doctor is In. I have treated over 34,667 LinkedIn problems for CEOs, professionals and startups since 2006. You'll know by the end of our first free consultation if I can help you. We just need 10 minutes to diagnose and confirm if we're a good fit. Join over 4,767 subscribers to my free LinkedIn Newsletter on LinkedIn with no need to share your email address. Follow me on Twitter at @petherick.