Rapid Learning Mini-Course Video #5

Welcome back. I’m glad to see you’re focused on becoming a rapid learner. It truly is a skill you can use throughout your career. And another thing, employers are looking for rapid learners.

After taking a high-level scan – the 30,000-foot view – of what we want to learn about LinkedIn, we’ve finally decided that creating a strong profile is the best place to start. Now, we take a deep dive into this area, scoping all the sub-chunks of the overall profile chunk.

When we do that, we discover all the facets of a strong LinkedIn profile: the headline, summary, skills, projects, honors and awards, groups, updates, posts, recommendations, experience and more. Again, too much. We need to focus on one.

So, we check with the experts. What do they recommend? Turns out it’s your headline and summary. But what does “good” look like? After all, you need to know what to aspire to.

1. Find LinkedIn Profiles You Like

Another great way to figure this out is to spend 30 minutes on LinkedIn, finding profiles that you like. Start with your colleagues. Also, check out your competitors. Think about what jumps out at you. Look at the verbiage. Graphics. Everything.  What impresses you? Also, is there anything that turns you off?

2. Look at Them From Your Prospect's Point of View

Now, once you’ve found some you like, look at them again … this time “as if” you were a prospect. Does the person come across as a sales hunter who’s ready to pounce on you. Or, do they sound like a knowledgeable resource – someone who could help you achieve your objectives? Have they worked with similar clients? Have they solved similar issues?

3. Highlight Words and Phrases That Sound Good

Once you’ve identified some “good” headlines and summaries, print them out. Then, go through them highlighting words or phrases that sound good to you, that build credibility and that showcase the person as an invaluable resource.

Don’t spend days on this task. In just one hour, where you’re 100% focused, you’ll be able to get a really good sense of what you need to do.

Your goal isn’t mastery; it’s proficiency. Trying to create a “perfect” profile is insanity. Instead you want a decent one that resonates with your prospects.

What matters most is a condensed study of the topic or skill at hand.

4. Write Your LinkedIn Headline and Summary

Pfoom. Take the deep dive. Get that headline and summary written – and then move on to the next chunk which is crafting good descriptors of your previous job.

Step-by-step, but always forward. Learning as you go. That’s what it takes to master rapid learning – in every area of your life and career.

Rapid Learning Mini-Course

• Intro: Can You Learn How to Sell – Or Do You Need Innate Ability?
• Video #1: Rapid Learning is Critical for Sales Success
• Video #2: First Step to Rapidly Learn LinkedIn: Do a Brain Dump
• Video #3: Use Chunking to Make Sense Out of LinkedIn Chaos
• Video #4: Sequence Your LinkedIn Learning Plan
• Video #5: Research the #1 Facet of LinkedIn: Headline and Summary