Surely, You Can’t Be Serious, Tim

At the ASI show in Orlando, Bill Farquharson sat down with Tim Andrews, ASI President and CEO, for a quick conversation. The chat almost didn't get past Tim's first comment, as outlined here in this week's blog.

I thought he was joking, but no.

Sitting with Tim Andrews, President and CEO of Advertising Specialty Institute, at their Orlando show, I asked, “What could your members do better in order to grow their sales?”

The first words out of Tim’s mouth? “They could create and curate a LinkedIn account.”

The words hung there as I paused, waiting for him to yell, “KIDDING,” but instead he rattled off a few more words of wisdom.

Hold up. Someone in graphic arts sales needs to be told to open a LinkedIn account? On what planet is that okay? I’ve beaten the need for a well thought out profile page into every single Sales Vault member, so it is shocking to think someone missed a memo.

Tim is a smart guy, and I am sure he had some other insights to share, but I couldn’t get past that first one. I’ll see him in Dallas next month at the next ASI show (March 9-11) and will try to do a better job of listening.

Here’s the thing: Your LinkedIn account is to sales success what a movie review is to box office dollars. That is, you will get checked out by prospects after your selling efforts rain down on them, and if Siskel and Ebert don’t give you two thumbs up, you will be blocked and deleted faster than you can say, “John Carter” (Hollywood’s biggest movie flop ever).

Step one: Create a LinkedIn account (it’s free)
Step two: Curate it properly (Google it. This is a blog, not a training course)
Step three: Add contacts
Step four: Post content
Step five: Comment on posts of others

You have a chance to create an online persona. Be someone others would like to do business with. It’s free and it can be the difference between being successful and being ghosted.

So do it now.

And stop calling me Shirley.

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Bill Farquharson can grow your sales. Go to SalesVault.pro or call him at 781-934-7036.

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