Global Asset Management. The social advisor s guide to creating an all-star LinkedIn profile

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1 Global Asset Management The social advisor s guide to creating an all-star LinkedIn profile

2 Engage your network, create circles of influence and build your personal brand

3 118 million + U.S. members. More than 2 professionals sign up per second. 5M + high-net-worth investors use social media to help with financial decisions. 1 As your partner, we recognize the value of social media to your practice as an effective networking tool. LinkedIn, specifically, has become a pivotal resource to reach, and build, centers of influence. So we re here to help with this guide, as part of our commitment to provide the solutions, ideas and tools you need to grow your business. If you have a LinkedIn profile, we encourage you to use this resource to enhance or complete it and better engage and target investors. If you don t yet have a profile, then we hope you ll find this guide a handy tool to create a new way to connect with your current and prospective clients and build your personal brand. John The First Step If you don t yet have a LinkedIn profile, use the checklist to the right to prepare your personal information. It ll make the process faster and easier to have this content at the ready. 1 A recent, professional photo on your computer No group shots, just you close up 2 A background image This image will float behind your photo and headline. Choose an image that will best represent your brand (your office building, company logo, you at a speaking engagement, etc.) The background image should be at minimum 1400x425 pixels. If you don t have an image in these dimensions, LinkedIn will resize it for you 3 A pre-written headline Your headline is the first thing people will see when they search for you so make a good first impression. Since this will require a fair bit of thought, you ll want to have it ready before you start filling in your profile. In the Tips section of this guide, we ve included a few examples to get you started Think of this as a description, rather than a job title, that differentiates you from your peers You ll want to write something that resonates with investors and communicates your value-add Include keywords that investors would use to use in a search You can use a maximum of 120 characters, but keep it tight and engaging 4 Your CV While your Summary and Experience should be personal, and more of a mission statement, having your résumé handy will help ensure that you include the most important aspects of your role and that you have the dates for your previous positions at your fingertips. For thought starters, see the Tips section of this guide 5 Miscellaneous information The dates you received your designations, and your university or college degrees. And a list of independent course work 1 Sources: LinkedInTM, LinkedIn /Cogent Research 1

4 To set up a LinkedIn account, simply follow these steps: PRO TIP When viewing your profile, you can edit any section by moving the mouse over it and clicking the pencil icon. 1 Go to linkedin.com 2 To get started, enter your first name, last name, address and a password of six or more characters 3 You ll receive a confirmation with instructions by to get you signed in and started In future, LinkedIn will prompt you to add more information, based on what s missing from your profile, so you can continue to enhance, change and refine your profile over time. 4 LinkedIn will prompt you for the content of your profile, including: Industry Headline Contact information Current role (summary) Experience (at least 2 previous jobs) Education (schools and dates) Skills & Endorsements (from a list) Connections (your contacts) Additional Information (interests, volunteer work, designations) Groups (companies or people you can follow for personal interest, professional development or networking) 5 For help on filling in your profile, follow this guide and visit linkedin.com 2

5 From the top. Begin by... 1 Inserting a professional, close-up photo Make a good first impression. 1. Click Profile 2. Move your cursor over your photo and select Change Photo 3. Click Change Photo 4. Photo can t be larger than 4MB 5. Adjust photo using yellow crop and check preview 6. Click Save John A color photo is better than black and white 2 Creating a compelling headline to enhance your brand Beside your title, talk about your offering. For example: Focused on the growth and preservation of your wealth 1. Click on the pencil graphic at left beside headline 2. Add professional headline as instructed 3. For inspiration, see what industry peers use or see our Tips on page 6 4. Click Save 3 Personalizing your background image This is an opportunity to make your profile stand out. 1. On your Profile page, move the mouse over the space above your photo 2. Click Edit Background 3. Follow instructions to upload a background image 4 Creating a vanity URL 1. Click Profile 2. Move your cursor over your URL below the photo 3. Click on the gear icon to view your Public Profile. 4. On Public Profile screen click on the pencil icon to edit your Public Profile URL Note: If your URL is taken, LinkedIn will provide recommendations. Once you have created your vanity URL, consider including it on your signature and business card. 5 Adding contact information 1. While on your Profile page, click Contact Info to expand section 2. Use pencil icons to add , phone, address, website all that apply Searchable, shareable and professional Use simple, direct language A call to action 3

6 Use relevant background image Use a professional, close-up photo Vanity URL Use first and last name so URL is shareable, searchable and professional Showcase your value-add Communicate your achievements, specialization and contribution to clients Include certifications with dates Add independent course work Create a compelling headline to enhance your brand Contact information A call to action Add languages 4

7 PRO TIP To further showcase your brand, consider adding awards, media mentions and published writings. Group examples: CFA Institute Members Financial Advisor Magazine Independent Financial Advisors Crain s Chicago Business Institutional Investor Indiana University Alumni Association AIMR Include skills Leverage endorsements to maximize; check your peers skills PRO TIP When you have finished updating your profile, ensure that it looks right to your viewers by clicking the View Profile As button below your photo. PRO TIP Please note that your compliance department many not allow recommendations on your profile. You should check with your firm on their policy regarding recommendations. Make connections Follow firms and people of interest 5

8 Some tips to consider 1 Keep it fresh Keep content, and contact information, current and consistent with your website Select Edit Profile and LinkedIn will present you with questions at the top of the page to help you complete and continuously improve your profile Update courses, credentials, volunteer experiences, etc. as appropriate 2Keywords Improve search engine rankings by integrating keywords into your Headline, Summary and Experience Look at words your peers use Integrate your Skills Add specialties to your profile either integrate, or list, as part of your personal mission statement Write the Summary in paragraphs Use bullets for Experience Some keywords to consider using: Client service Independent advice Financial expertise Wealth management Financial planning Investment professional Retirement goals Optimized for searches 6

9 Some tips to consider (continued) 3 Some sample headlines Need a little inspiration for your headline? Think about what you offer to your clients, or use one of these: Focused on the growth and preservation of your wealth Helping families achieve their financial goals An advocate for high-net-worth clients; focused on responsible investing Offering strategic investment advice to help make your financial dreams a reality Specializing in tax, retirement, estate and financial planning for small business owners 4 Reach circles of influence Import your contact lists from your address book (Outlook, Yahoo or Gmail) this is your first-degree circle of influence Connect with clients, colleagues (past and present), family and friends Use the Advanced People Search or Request an Introduction to grow your circle Under Connections at the top of your profile page, select Find Alumni you ll be guided to search where they live, where they work and what they do Think of other centers of influence: professionals, doctors, lawyers, accountants, small business owners and any associations they might belong to Search companies, by people you know, job title, proximity to you, etc. Advanced people search Find alumni 5 More about connections... It s good etiquette to: Personalize invitation requests, rather than use the generic default setting Only send requests to people you know Protect your connections privacy by sending an invitation to one person at a time As a social advisor think about becoming a connector of people a resource for the influencers in your network 7

10 Some tips to consider (continued) 6 Need help writing your Summary? Customize this to your business practice: For more than [20] years, I ve managed investment accounts for [families] and [small business owners] seeking to protect and grow their hard-earned wealth. I take a [consistent and disciplined] approach to financial oversight, in order to help my clients achieve their individual goals for [retirement, tax and estate planning]. As an investment professional, I provide [thoughtful, independent] guidance; meet with my clients [regularly] to keep them informed and confident in their [long-term plan]; make myself available as a reliable, knowledgeable resource; and have access to a team of experts, so that the approach I take for all client accounts I manage is holistic. My wealth management expertise includes retirement planning, asset allocation, portfolio management, life and disability insurance. Become a curator If you post content on your website, Share an Update If you host a client event, or seminar promote it! Share content and create a discussion around it Your firm may post interesting client-facing content that you can leverage To get started, on Home page select Publish a Post Add an engaging subject title and intro, and insert a link, a video clip, article whatever approved content you deem will be of interest and keep it timely You control your privacy Once your profile is created, roll over the small picture of you in the upper right hand corner of your profile page to reveal Privacy & Settings from the list. Only you have access to your personal information, and LinkedIn provides multiple privacy settings so you can control how much information you share and determine who you share it with. For example: Turn on/off activity broadcasts Select what others see when you ve viewed their profile Select who can see your connections Recommendations For assistance, select Make Recommendations link under Privacy & Settings LinkedIn will guide you through the process Just like any recommendation specify what you re looking for Stay connected The Keep in Touch feature under Connections organizes network updates (e.g., new jobs/ promotions, profile changes, mentions) so you can stay up-to-date, and can easily interact Ensure that you follow your firm s Social Media Policy, and applicable regulatory guidelines, when using LinkedIn. 8

11 Now, put your new profile to work! Build from 0 to 100 connections. Begin endorsing your connections (5 every week). Request at least 1 recommendation for each position. Join 5-10 Groups. Periodically review and update your profile keywords. Build your brand Network with portfolio managers Global Asset Management The social advisor s guide to business building on LinkedIn Research new products and ideas Reach new circles of influence Connect with current and prospective clients Create or curate content Check in with colleagues Participate in groups and discussions If you don t have a copy of this must-have Guide, contact If you don t have a copy of your BMO Global Asset this must-have Guide, contact Management consultant. your BMO Global Asset Management consultant. 9

12 Contact us BMO-FUND ( ) Learn more bmogam.com Follow us bmo-global-asset-management At BMO Global Asset Management, our commitment to help you build your business extends beyond a breadth of outcome-oriented investment solutions and best-in-class service, to innovative practice management ideas designed to differentiate you like our Advisor LinkedIn program. Additional resources The social advisor s guide to business buidling on LinkedIn LinkedIn Help Center LinkedIn Pulse (News and Insights) Official LinkedIn Blog LinkedIn Practice Management Articles LinkedIn Apps Ask your BMO Global Asset Management consultant for a copy help.linkedin.com (pose a question) linkedin.com (under Interests at the top of your profile) blog.linkedin.com bmogamviewpoints.com linkedin.com/mobile (an overview of the LinkedIn application suite for mobile devices) The information herein reflects information upon publication. It is based on sources that we believe to be reliable, but is not guaranteed by us, may be incomplete, or may change without notice. It is intended as advice of a general nature and is not to be construed as specific advice to any particular person. BMO Global Asset Management is the brand name for various affiliated entities of BMO Financial Group that provide investment management and trust and custody services. BMO Financial Group is a service mark of Bank of Montreal (BMO). BMO Global Asset Management is the brand name for for BMO Investment Distributors, LC. BMO Asset Management Corp. is the investment advisor to the BMO Funds. BMO Investment Distributors, LLC is the distributor of the BMO Funds. Member FINRA/SIPC. FOR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY. NOT TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC.