Although Linkedin operates as a social networking website, it’s aimed at professional networking and career advancement. The website is more about the development of quality business relationships as opposed to something in the nature of being a Facebook friend. Like social networking sites, in order to get started on Linkedin, you must create either a free or paid profile that reads like a resume or curriculum vitae. Of course, increased options are available with a paid account. Upon completion of your profile, you can publish it on Linkedin and start looking for and developing business connections. Here is some best practices advice on how to do that.

Determine Why You Want to be on Linkedin

Serious members must first identify their goals. Maybe you want to tell the world about your level of experience and accomplishments or establish sources of referrals. Linkedin is also a terrific source of information that can provide you with useful information about your practice area and any honors or awards that you’ve received. That’s why determining your reason for being connected with Linkedin is of special importance for successful connections.

Who is Your Target Audience Going to Be?

Don’t just use the shotgun method to determine who your target audience is going to be. Give careful consideration to the people and entities who might be in need of or be able to refer you as an attorney who can resolve their legal issues. Those are the people who you’ll will be connecting with and will be following you. You can further target your message by leveraging LinkedIn’s Ad Targeting feature.

Creating a Powerful Profile on Linkedin

Highlight your undergraduate and legal education and training, and upload a recent and suitable photo of yourself. Remember that you’re a lawyer, so look like a lawyer. You must maintain an awareness of your state’s rules regarding advertising and holding yourself out as a specialist. Any such rules can be very specific, so don’t deviate from them.

Connecting Through Your Linkedin Profile

Linkedin is a two-way conduit for establishing and sustaining professional networks. Make sure that you use what it offers to that end. Potential and present clients can be emailed an invitation to your Linkedin profile. Don’t just send out a blanket invitation. Customize each invitation to each person who you send it to. That increases the chances that recipients will hook up with you. Be careful about your compliance with any state or federal anti-spamming laws.

Promote Your Education and Experience

Individuals and entities are going to contact with you and hopefully retain you on the basis of your background and relevant experience. Be specific in detailing them out. Articles that you’ve written can be linked to your profile. You can also list previous or upcoming speaking engagements, television, radio or podcast interviews.

Don’t be a Scrooge with Your Wealth of Knowledge

Share the knowledge and information in your possession regarding your area of practice and areas of professional interest. Others can follow you, and you can follow them too. That also operates as a reminder of your professional availability.

LinkedIn offers a variety of ways to share information. In a recent podcast episode of The Personal Injury Marketing Minute, Katie Briel, a Marketing Manager in the legal field suggests publishing articles on relevant legal topics and sharing them with your network.

How to Otherwise Reach You

Potential clients have urgent legal issues. Add your law firm’s phone number along with your cell number and with how you might otherwise be reached online. The more ways that you can be reached, the higher the likelihood that you’ll be contacted, so include plenty of contact information.

As the benefits of a Linkedin account are maximized, the chances of being contacted directly from the website also increase. Building and periodically adding to an appealing attorney profile can separate you from thousands of other attorneys on Linkedin and help you to achieve your professional goals.

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