LinkedIn Level Up

⏰ Today in 5 minutes or less:

• Actively posting on LinkedIn might not be enough to boost your profile.

• A few strategic changes can turn your profile into a marketing powerhouse.

• Strategic planning? Focus teams on the big rocks first.

But before we go there…

Hey guys. I gotta grow my business this year. I know that growing your business starts with building and reinvigorating your network. I've done an okay job at this, but I need to do better.

And I don't want to do it by myself.

So - I'm gonna create this challenge. I'm going to figure out the things we need to do in 100 days to call 100 people.

Who’s with me?

I want to join the challenge.

LinkedIn Glow-Up: How to Refresh Your Digital Presence

Let’s get real: LinkedIn isn’t just a platform, it’s a lifeline – especially for indie consultants.

Clients will Google you and they’ll land on LinkedIn. Forget about needing a fancy website – if your LinkedIn profile is updated and strategic, it can do most of the heavy lifting.

But here’s the kicker: a lot of us treat our profiles like they’re frozen in time. The “set it and forget it” approach won’t fly if you’re serious about marketing your expertise.

If your profile doesn’t match your current work, it’s time for a glow-up. 

Your LinkedIn Presence Matters Now More Than Ever 

LinkedIn has come a long way from being just a job board. These days, executives and hiring managers use it as a primary source for industry insights and vetting potential partners.

As a consultant, my profile is often the first impression clients get. That’s why I treat it like my digital handshake. It’s my chance to communicate my value, focus, and credibility – and make it easy for the right people to connect with me.

Signs That Your Profile Needs a Refresh

Even if you’re actively posting on LinkedIn, it might not be doing the heavy lifting it should.

Over the years, I’ve learned to spot the signs that my LinkedIn profile is getting stale. Here’s my quick checklist: 

• Outdated Photo: If your profile picture is more than five years old or looks like it was taken in a dimly lit corner, it’s time for an upgrade. 

• Disconnected Headline: If my headline doesn’t reflect what I’m doing today, I know it’s sending the wrong message. 

• Dusty Activity Feed: If I haven’t posted anything relevant in months, I assume people think I’m out of the game. 

My Go-To Refresh Strategy

Now that you’ve decided to refresh your LinkedIn profile, you might be overwhelmed by the amount of work to do. But you only need a few strategic changes to transform it into a marketing powerhouse.

I had to adapt my profile over time as my consulting experience grew. At first, it was a digital résumé. But for a true digital presence, I’ve leveled up over time. 

Level 101: The Headline and About Section 

A solid LinkedIn profile with a clear header and “About” section is Consulting 101. If you don’t tell people what you do, who will?

Your headline is prime real estate. I never settle for generic titles like “Strategy Consultant.” Instead, I write headlines that showcase the results I deliver. For example:

“I help B2B tech execs get their cross-functional peers to say yes to big investments.” 

THAT’S how you write a clear and eye-catching headline. 

(Read more about our LinkedIn Headline Cheat Sheet here.) 

My About section gets the same treatment. Think of as the elevator pitch that answers three questions: 

• Who do you help?

• What problems do you solve?

• What results can clients expect? 

I keep it conversational, highlight key wins, and always end with a call-to-action like: “Let’s connect if you’re ready to rethink your operations strategy.” 

Level 201: Client Recommendations  

Client recommendations and endorsements show people that others have worked with me, and they survived (and benefited enough) to tell the tale.

When I ask for recommendations, I keep it specific. I might say, “Can you mention how we streamlined your business ops and saved 20% in costs?” Most people are happy to help if you guide them.

I also keep my recommendations fresh and relevant by rotating them – putting the most aligned endorsements at the top. 

Level 301: Articles That Matter 

Sharing at least three original articles in my field doesn’t just boost visibility; it’s a great way to share insights and spotlight myself as a thought leader.

My secret? I focus on:  

• Relevance: Tackling the real challenges my clients face (that I solve).

• Case Studies: Showing (not telling) exactly how I solve problems.

• Actionable Takeaways: Giving readers something they can use immediately. 

• Be Yourself: Talking like how I would talk in real life — I make the flavor of my personality stand out.

These articles don’t just sit on LinkedIn – they often get repurposed into blog posts, newsletters, or even talking points over lunch meetings. 

Level 401: Consistency Beyond LinkedIn 

Consistently sharing thought leadership through a regular publishing schedule, whether via a newsletter or articles, positions you as a recognized voice in the industry and reinforces your expertise.

Instead of just writing when the inspiration strikes, I like sticking to a schedule. For me, that means daily posts on LinkedIn and a weekly newsletter (if you’re reading this, you’re already part of the scheme).

But I don’t stop there. I share content across LinkedIn, email, and our Community to make sure I’m reaching my audience where they are. And every piece of content focuses on delivering value – whether it’s an insight, a framework, or a chart crime to laugh about. 

Make Your LinkedIn Work As Hard As You Do 

LinkedIn isn’t just a networking tool – it’s a 24/7 marketing engine. By investing time in regular updates and sharing valuable content, my profile works almost as hard as I do to open doors and keep my business growing.

If your profile feels like it’s stuck in the past, start small. Update your headline, post an article, or ask for a new recommendation. These steps might seem minor, but they add up fast – case in point: my LinkedIn audience grew by 40% from last year by doing these things.

Ready to take your LinkedIn game to the next level? Start your refresh today, and let your profile do the heavy lifting for your consulting business.

And for more tips about raising your visibility on LinkedIn, check out our workshop replay here. 

The Big Rocks Framework

Consultants, what’s your strategy for tough stuff?

When it comes to strategic planning, success starts with handling the big rocks first – those major priorities and challenges that require heavy-lifting.

Try this: list your biggest challenges and map out solutions using the Big Rocks framework. 

Picture this: you're consulting for a mid-sized tech firm in crisis.

Customers are leaving, and no one knows why. The team is scrambling to make them stay –loyalty campaigns here, customer success calls there – but there’s no cohesive strategy.

Enter you, the consultant with focus and a plan.

Using the Big Rocks framework, you help them zero in on improving customer retention. You assign clear initiatives, each with a point person and timeline, ensuring accountability and measurable progress.

The payoff? Less churn, happier customers, and a team that prioritizes strategically instead of firefighting.

Want to level up your problem-solving game?

Download our template here.

💼 See if you’re qualified…

• Strategy Manager of Store Experience Innovation at Starbucks, 6+ years of progressive strategy management experience, ~$128k-214k

   

• Senior Operations Manager at Stubhub, 5+ years of management experience, ~$113k-176k

• Chief Program Officer at World Savvy, 15+ years of innovation and leadership experience, ~$145-165k

• Vice President of Portfolio Management at Storm4, 10+ years of market operations and portfolio optimization experience, ~$220k-350k

• Senior Procurement Analyst at McKinsey & Company, 3+ years of procurement sourcing experience, ~$110k-113k

Remember, the path to success is paved with continuous learning and embracing fresh perspectives.

Let's stay connected, share ideas, and elevate your consulting business.

Stay curious, friends.

The 2×2 is brought to you by Keenan Reid Strategies

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