Right, so I was chatting with my mate Peter the other day, someone who’s seriously nailed LinkedIn for business generation – think serious influencer connections and a profile that just screams credibility. We were chewing the fat about innovative ways to leverage the platform, and something he said really stuck with me: “LinkedIn Skill Assessments are gold, especially when influencers are involved.” Intrigued? You should be! Let me break down what he shared, and how you can use it to boost your own business.
Why Skill Assessments, Anyway?
Firstly, for those not familiar, LinkedIn Skill Assessments are tests you can take to demonstrate your proficiency in various skills. Passing them earns you a little badge on your profile. But the real power lies in how you leverage them, and that’s where Peter’s insights come in.
Influencer Validation: The Secret Sauce
Peter’s a big believer in the power of endorsement, and he’s found a clever way to get influencers to validate his skills. Now, he works in the field of AI-driven marketing solutions so his main target area for skills were things like ‘Machine Learning’, ‘Natural Language Processing’, ‘Python (Programming Language)’ and ‘Data Analysis’. He started with a few important points:
- Identify Your Niche’s Key Skills: What skills are essential in your industry? If you are in SEO, that will be SEO and SEM skillsets. List them out. Prioritise.
- Master the Relevant Assessments: Obviously, you need to pass the assessments yourself first. Don’t skip this step. It makes you appear more genuine when you engage with influencers. Spend the time and get proficient.
- Strategic Outreach: Here’s where the magic happens. Peter identifies influencers in his field – think thought leaders, authors, or senior figures at respected companies. He doesn’t just blindly message them, though. That’s important.
- Personalise Your Approach: This is not a generic request. Peter crafts a tailored message, highlighting a recent article or post they’ve made that aligns with a specific skill assessment. For example: “Hi [Influencer Name], I really enjoyed your recent piece on the challenges of implementing NLP in marketing. I recently passed the LinkedIn NLP skill assessment and found it really validated some of the key points you made. Would you be interested in taking it yourself? I’d be really interested to hear your thoughts!”
- Offer Value: The key here is to make it easy for them. Peter offers to share his own results, explaining his rationale for certain answers. He positions it as a collaborative opportunity to improve the assessment itself. This isn’t about showing off; it’s about seeking their expert opinion.
Sharing Results for Maximum Impact
Okay, so you’ve got an influencer to take the assessment (or even just considering it – that’s still a win!). Now, what about your results?
- Share Strategically: Don’t just blast your results out to everyone. Share them with relevant groups and connections, and always include a thoughtful caption. Instead of “I passed the Python assessment!”, try: “Happy to share that I’ve passed the Python assessment on LinkedIn. I found the section on data manipulation particularly challenging. What are your thoughts on the best libraries for this?”
- Tag Influencers (When Appropriate): If an influencer provided input or validation, tag them in your post! This is a great way to give them visibility and acknowledge their contribution. Remember to ask permission first, though!
- Highlight Endorsements: If an influencer has endorsed your skill (another LinkedIn feature), make sure it’s prominently displayed on your profile. Consider creating a featured post showcasing the endorsement and thanking the influencer publicly.
Turning Visibility into Leads
All this effort is for naught if it doesn’t translate to business. Here’s how Peter makes it happen:
- Showcase Expertise in Content: Peter uses his enhanced profile visibility to share valuable content related to his skills. Think blog posts, case studies, and insightful commentary on industry trends. Again, relevant to the target market.
- Engage Actively: He actively participates in relevant LinkedIn groups, answering questions and offering advice. This positions him as a knowledgeable resource and builds trust.
- Targeted Outreach: Now, this is the key. Peter uses LinkedIn Sales Navigator to identify potential leads who are searching for the skills he’s validated. He then reaches out with a personalised message, referencing their specific needs and highlighting his expertise.
Basically, Peter uses the assessments as a conversation starter, not an end in themselves. It’s all about building relationships and showcasing your value. So remember, LinkedIn Skill Assessments are a powerful tool, but their true potential is unlocked when combined with strategic influencer engagement and thoughtful content. Get out there and start leveraging them!
