What To Look For In A LinkedIn Trainer, Speaker And Consultant

When one year or quarter comes to a close and another one begins, many companies begin assessing the needs and goals they have for the next year. Finding the right partner to help grow and support your business can be a challenge. Sometimes, it’s difficult to know how to assess a potential vendor, especially if their expertise is very different from your own. 

When prospective clients come to me, they’re usually looking for a consultant to reach a key personal or business goal through LinkedIn. My support comes in a range of different formats. Whether I’m training clients in a one-on-one or group setting or speaking at a conference, corporate annual meeting, or a sales incentive trip gathering, I am ultimately always seeking to equip my clients with the tools and knowledge they need to connect with purpose and drive their revenue. 

As a business owner, I am often on both sides of the equation—being vetted by prospective clients and vetting my own vendors. I’ve learned that regardless of which side you represent, knowing the right questions to ask makes all the difference. If you’re in the market for a LinkedIn trainer, speaker & consultant, here’s what to look for in a potential partner. 

1. Alignment

Finding the right fit is perhaps the most important aspect of finding any type of consultant, including someone to support your LinkedIn efforts. When considering a potential partner, ask as many questions as you need to understand the consultant’s approach, timeline, personality, and goals. The answers you receive will help paint a picture of what it might be like to work with the person you’re considering. 

A good consultant will want alignment as well. In fact, you can tell a lot about the person or firm you’re considering by the questions they’re asking you. Honesty about what to expect (or not expect), a friendly, confident attitude, and an effort to clarify your objective or need are also good signs of a seasoned LinkedIn expert and professional. 
 

2. Approach 

No two LinkedIn consultants will approach your needs and goals exactly the same way. Before you decide who to hire, consider what outcomes you value most and why. Some approaches might be more hands-off for you and your team, while others will require a bit more time and commitment to the process. 

For example, an automated LinkedIn outreach approach can reduce the time it takes to see results, but it often lacks a personal touch. In fact, many LinkedIn users are beginning to be able to “sniff out” automation and AI messages due to the growth of this approach. In contrast, a more methodical approach that involves hands-on learning may require more time on the front end, but may lead to more genuine connections down the road. Neither approach is right or wrong, but each has its own strengths and weaknesses to consider. Whichever route you choose, beware of quick fixes. Often it sounds too good to be true, it is. 

If you’re looking for help with your personal LinkedIn profile or company page, pay close attention to the steps a consultant will take to ensure your story comes through in the final deliverable. You might come across a firm that can provide a “lipstick” job on your LinkedIn profile for a small sum. There’s nothing wrong with a mini makeover if that’s what you need. Typically, however, a more thoughtful approach will require a larger investment. For example, if you’re asked to fill out a form for your LinkedIn profile, the result will be different than the one you could expect from being interviewed by a professional writer.  

3. Results

A potential consultant can talk about their approach and value proposition all day long, but at the end of the day, the results speak for themselves. When considering a LinkedIn consultant or any other type of partner, always request to speak to past clients or review case studies of previous projects. 

The way LinkedIn consultants share their results may differ. Some may have case studies, while others may have sales growth numbers, and still others may keep a list of client references. (For example, I am very protective of my clients’ time, but I have nearly 50 client recommendations on my LinkedIn profile for any potential client who asks.) When sending out a scope of work, I often include a version of the testimonials, pictured below. Whatever the case may be, you should feel confident that the consultant you choose has a track record of success. 

If securing help with LinkedIn is on your to-do list, let me know. I would love to set up a brief discovery call to learn more about your current needs and share with you a bit more about my approach and results. Don’t hesitate to vet me with my own list.