Why hire someone to manage your LinkedIn profile?
Many professionals wonder if it’s worth hiring someone to manage their LinkedIn profile. With over 530 million members, LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network and an invaluable tool for career advancement. An optimized LinkedIn presence can help you attract recruiting opportunities, business partnerships, speaking engagements, and new clients or customers. However, creating and maintaining an impactful profile takes time, strategic planning, and expertise. This is where working with a LinkedIn expert can pay dividends.
Some key benefits of having someone manage your LinkedIn profile include:
Increased visibility and reach
A LinkedIn management professional can help ensure your profile appears high in search results both on and off the platform. They will use proven optimization techniques like keyword research and strategic content creation to make your profile highly visible and discoverable. This expanded reach positions you as an industry leader.
Ability to fully leverage LinkedIn features
LinkedIn has a vast array of features including content sharing, Groups, events, branded content pages, targeted ads, and more. An expert can activate and maximize these features to amplify your message and demonstrate your capabilities. This level ofoptimization is difficult to achieve on your own.
Save time and focus on higher priorities
Crafting impactful content, engaging your network, and staying on top of LinkedIn’s frequent updates takes dedicated time. Most professionals simply don’t have extra hours in the day. Outsourcing to a LinkedIn manager eliminates this burden so you can focus on revenue-generating activities.
Gain an objective outside perspective
We often have blind spots when it comes to our own profiles. An outside expert provides an impartial view of how your profile conveys your personal brand and areas for improvement. This prevents you from blending in with the crowd on a platform built for standing out.
What does a good LinkedIn profile manager do?
If you decide to hire a LinkedIn profile manager, look for these best practices:
Strategic profile optimization
A manager will evaluate your current profile and pinpoint opportunities to improve keywords, headings, branding, layout, contact info prominence, media use, and more. Optimization transforms your profile into a magnet for your ideal connections and opportunities.
Network building and engagement
Growing your network in a strategic way takes time and finesse. A manager will identify relevant profiles for you to connect with and initiate contact in a professional and compelling way. They’ll also engage your network by sharing your content, commenting on updates, and facilitating introductions.
Compelling content creation
Content is king on LinkedIn. A manager will craft written posts, articles, videos, images, and presentations that demonstrate thought leadership. They’ll promote this content to followers and Groups and repurpose it off LinkedIn. Targeted content drives organic growth.
Company page management
A LinkedIn manager can also optimize your Company page with alluring branding, employee spotlights, news updates, job posts, and Pages that showcase solutions or initiatives. This strengthens your brand presence.
Advertising campaign execution
Paid advertising on LinkedIn allows you to reach highly targeted audiences. A manager can execute sophisticated Sponsored Content and Sponsored InMail campaigns to raise awareness with your niche. Hyper-targeted ads generate tangible ROI.
Reporting and goal-setting
The best managers provide monthly reports detailing progress and analytics. They also remain aligned on goals for network growth, content engagement, lead generation, and recruiter outreach. Data-driven tracking ensures ongoing optimization.
Is professional LinkedIn profile management worth the investment?
Fees for LinkedIn profile management services typically range from $500 to $2,000 per month depending on the package of services desired. The investment may seem substantial but is often justified by the ability to:
Generate business opportunities
Nothing happens without awareness. A strong LinkedIn presence positions you as an expert and drives lucrative partnerships, speaking gigs, leads, and recruitment outreach. The value gained can easily justify the monthly expense.
Enhance visibility during job transitions
Being professionally branded and connected on LinkedIn is invaluable when exploring new career options. Partnerships developed on LinkedIn often lead to impactful referrals.
Automate time-intensive tasks
Posting content, engaging your network, and monitoring notifications takes hours each week. Outsourcing these tasks grants you time back to focus on high-dollar activities.
Gain competitive advantage
Standing out on LinkedIn is no longer optional. LinkedIn management gives you edge over peers who neglect their presence.
Here is a table summarizing the value delivered by a LinkedIn manager:
Service | Deliverable | Value |
---|---|---|
Profile Optimization | Improved keyword density, branding, layout, SEO | Higher search visibility on and off LinkedIn |
Network Building | Strategic outreach and recommendations | Expanded connections in your niche |
Content Creation | Thought leadership content promotion | Demonstrated expertise, lead generation |
Company Page Management | Polished branding, employee spotlights, updates | Strengthened brand presence |
Advertising Campaigns | Sponsored Content, Sponsored InMail | Precise targeting, increased awareness |
Reporting & Goal Tracking | Analytics reviews, optimization recommendations | Data-driven results |
How can I find the right LinkedIn profile manager?
If you’re ready to delegate your LinkedIn presence to a trusted professional, here are tips for selecting the right fit:
Verify their LinkedIn expertise
Review the manager’s own LinkedIn profile and look for robust recommendations from past clients. Gauge how well they truly understand leveraging the platform from their own use.
Request a sample optimization plan
Any reputable manager should provide a plan detailing how they would improve your current profile before you commit. This allows you to assess their approach.
Ask for client references
Speaking with a manager’s current clients provides invaluable insight into their capabilities, communication style, and results delivered for other professionals like you.
Look for specialist certifications
Some managers pursue certifications like LinkedIn’s Certified Professional Programs which validate their platform expertise. Specialist designations indicate commitment.
Review their content portfolio
Evaluate writing samples from the manager to ensure they can produce compelling content that engages your niche. Ideally, you want a manager adept at content related to your industry.
Start with a three-month trial
Before committing long-term, you may wish to do a three-month trial to gauge the manager’s impact in improving your LinkedIn presence and achieving agreed upon goals.
Conclusion
Investing in a dedicated LinkedIn profile manager offers tremendous upside for professionals seeking to elevate their brand, connect with ideal prospects, demonstrate thought leadership, and unlock new opportunities. While the price may seem steep, the potential value gained through expanded reach, strategic relationship development, and showcasing your expertise justifies the cost for most. Taking time to find the ideal profile manager tailored to your industry and goals leads to a partnership that can markedly accelerate your career or business growth. The question is not whether you can afford to invest in LinkedIn profile management, but whether you can afford not to.