Fail the 3 second test…
And watch potential clients silently slip away to your competition.
What’s the LinkedIn Profile 3-Second Test?
In 3 short seconds, does your LinkedIn Profile grab the attention of your “Perfect Fit” potential client?
Does your LinkedIn Profile INSTANTLY answer these questions:
1. Who are you?
2. What do you do?
3. Are you a fit for me?
(And the Red Flag thought running in the back of the minds of everyone: Will you immediately pitch me?)
These 3 questions plus a No Red Flag feeling will determine if someone will Connect with you.
And it will prompt them to scroll and learn more about you.
All Roads Lead to Your LinkedIn Profile
If you’re out mixing it up, prospecting and networking, In Real Life (IRL):
- Cold Calling
- Door Knocking Drop Ins
- Attending Networking Meetings
- Getting Referrals
Today nearly everyone is gonna Google you and check you out.
In most cases, Your LinkedIn Profile will show up as one of the top search results.
And if people run into you on LinkedIn:
- You show up in Search
- You post something
- Your drop a Comment
- You send a Connection request
Yep, they’re gonna check out your Profile.
WARNING: If your Connection rate is under 30%, you have a Profile Problem.
And it’s because you’re failing the 3-second test.
So now ask yourself:
What do you need to look and sound like
for your “Perfect Fit” potential client
to feel confident in working with you?
Three key elements of your LinkedIn Profile must tie together and set the positioning of your Profile to pass the 3-second test.
These elements must instantly Grab Attention and cannot have a whiff of sales breathe.
The 3 Key Elements to Pass the 3-Second Test
These three elements must be dialed in to Grab Attention, boost Connection rates, and set the stage for building relationships.
Background Banner
Headshot Photo
Headline
Let’s look at how to nail down these three key elements of your LinkedIn Profile
Background Banner
This is the first visual element that immediately catches the eye and makes an instant impression in the mind of your Profile visitor.
Your Background Banner is your Profile Billboard.
It must spark curiosity so visitors want to learn and read more.
It’s best to keep it clean and simple.
It also supports your Brand Identity such as your logo and brand colors and fonts.
Use a simple one-liner hook.
Here are a few examples for a Work Comp Insurance and Risk Advisor:
Bold Statement
Protect your most important asset: Your Employees
Job-Site Risk Management Made Simple
Provoking Question
How are you protecting your most important asset, your Employees, on job-sites?
Are Zero Job-Site Injuries and Zero Lost-Time from Injuries Possible?
Your Unique Value Difference
Avoid costly job-site injuries with my 7-Step Landscape Contractor’s Proactive Risk Management System
Gain a competitive advantage and win more profitable jobs.
Minimize Work Comp costs with my 7-Step Landscape Contractor’s Proactive Risk Management System
Time-Saving Resources to Create Your Background Banner
Check out the LinkedIn Profile Background Banner templates on Canva or PicMonkey.
Or get help with your Background Banner design on Fiverr.
Headshot Photo
Your Headshot Photo is a key element in making that positive instant impression.
It also follows you all around LinkedIn, so it’s vital to get it right.
Your Headshot Photo must show you’re competent, likable, and influential.
Crop your photo so your face shows from the mid-high chest.
Your eyes and a smile should be visible.
A smile is the KEY.
Your smile shows you are friendly and approachable.
Think walking through a coffee shop or grocery store…
What does approachable look like to you?
Who would you most likely start a conversation with?
Headshot Photo Resources
I’m working on getting a better headshot on my LinkedIn Profile.
Here are the two resources I’m using:
John DeMato’s Shoot It Yourself: Develop A Portrait Photographers Eye With Your Phone Course (Only $49.99)
And after I have headshot options, I’ll then get feedback from Photo Feeler to make sure my headshot shows that I hit the key elements of competence, likable, and influence.
Or, you may want to hire a professional photographer.
Make sure you hire a photographer who specializes in business professional headshots rather than a wedding or event photographer to get the best results.
Headline
The same as your Headshot Photo, your Headline follows you around LinkedIn.
What you say in your Headline also is crucial in passing the 3-second test.
It can’t be pitchy.
You must avoid talking about returns or ROI.
If it’s ego-boasting, talking about how good you are, awards you’ve won, how great your company is…
It send up a HUGE Red Flag: Pitch Incoming.
It’s best to talk about a Category or Service you offer without boasting about how good you are.
It needs to be value-focused.
And if you can work in a touch of personality, bonus points for you.
Your Headline explains:
- Who you are
- Who you help.
- What you do.
Headline Resource Template
There are 5 basic proven Headline frameworks.
Check out this worksheet to work on your headline options
When I work with clients on the LinkedIn profiles, I’ll typically brainstorm and write at least 10 Headline options to discover the one or combination that stands out.
Also, keep testing and tweaking your Headline.
Now, Does Your LinkedIn Profile Pass the 3-Second Test?
You have a Background Banner that sparks curiosity?
Your Headshot Photo shows you as a competent, likable, influential person?
Your Headline instantly explains who you are, what you do, and who you help?
Check, check, and check…
Or do you have work to do?
Want a second option on your LinkedIn Profile 3-Second Test (and more)?
Get my LinkedIn Profile Diagnostic
We’ll see if your Profile passes the 3 second test and talk about the elements to move Profile visits to subscribers and Discovery Calls.