Raising your Professional Profile

If you’re a new business or a professional looking to gain more business or expand your networks, you may be thinking about how to raise your professional profile. 

As the world becomes more susceptible to technology, there is more need than ever for professionals to consider how to raise profiles on platforms. 

The thought of putting yourself out there can be a little daunting. You may be questioning the potential cost and return on investment, time required outside of your working schedule, knowing the right people or having confidence to share your opinion or expertise.

This article will explore some of these questions alongside some reassurance and some useful tips to consider when your goal is to stand out in your specialism. Here are 6 things to consider when trying to raise your professional profile: 

1.Content

One of the best ways to share your expertise and communicate to your audience (especially during a pandemic) is through content. If you are working to a small budget, start with sharing your content on your website, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. If possible, use at least one image in your article, which you could additionally feature on Instagram, with a link to the content on your profile. If you don’t have a website, you can start by sharing content via LinkedIn articles and sharing content with publishers. Platforms such as Canva and Adobe Spark have great features to free and cost effective image tools for your content and social media profiles. 

2. PR Contacts

Create a PR list of contacts to send your content to and sending regular content to publishers. This could include local and national publishers such as magazine editors, news reporters, news websites, radio stations, TV management, etc. There are some fantastic platforms in Sussex for businesses and individuals to reach out to. Some of these include Latest TV, BBC Sussex, Sussex Business Times, Absolute Magazine, The Argus, Brighton & Hove News, Gaydio, and many more. 

You will not always get a response immediately as they are usually inundated with content. At times, you content may not in keeping with their agenda, but you have to keep trying. It is a numbers game… what do you have to lose!

Whenever possible, be agile with your content – write or create content that is topical, current and trending. This can be a great way to connect with new people and increase engagement. To support this, use keywords and hashtags to get involved in leading conversations.  

Citing factual statistics from relevant websites as well as the expertise of specialists, or collaborating on podcasts and other forms of content, can be a great way to connect with key audiences. Exploring ways in which you can support individuals and businesses (however big or small) through content can support building and maintaining good professional relationships. When liking, sharing or promoting content of others, they are more likely to return the favour and remember you!

3.
Communications

This is a skill that so many take for granted in terms of customer service as well as business development. Sometimes the simplest of things, such as responding to a comment, call, email, or a follow back can be a strong way to build on engagement, support, feedback and business too. Whenever it is possible, take the time to engage with others – not only will you come across more human, but many ignore this, and thus how you communicate, could help you stand out against your competition. 

4. Social Media Profiles

Keep your social media profiles up to date and post whenever possible. Try not to be a grey square – Make sure you have a good quality image of yourself set on your profile pages. Consider using an image that best reflects how you want your audience to see you. On LinkedIn, make sure your key content is set as ‘features’ on your profile, so they are visible and accessible to those who view and explore your profile page. 

5. Networking

Sussex holds a range of fantastic networks for all types of businesses and individuals. Some of these include, Brighton Business Breakfast Club, The Network My Club, County Business Clubs Community, Consortium Ladies Lunch Club, Property Professionals Lunch, Bridging Change, Platinum Business Group, The Boundary Club, Brighton WOC, BNI and many more. There is never enough time to attend all events, so check out their websites and select those that suit your schedule. The more you attend, the more you become familiar with key connections and vis-versa. 

If the event provides an attendee list ahead of the event, research the list and identify those who you would be keen to engage with. Never make this too obvious at an event! Be friendly and get to know as many people as possible as the world is a small place – you never know who knows who and how someone could be of service for you in the future. 

Speaking at networking events is a great way of introducing yourself to everyone in the room. A lot of events will plan their speaker schedule a year in advance but not all. It is worth making contact and presenting your expertise as it could be a fit for an existing agenda or will help event organisers consider you for future events.

6. Charity Work

Engaging and supporting local charities is another way to meet other like-minded professionals while actively supporting a worthy cause. Many local charities can provide you PR, photos, connections and memories to be made from supporting them. There are many fantastic organisations that could provide you with some great events, activities and initiatives to consider. Some Sussex based charities include The Starr Trust, RISE, The Rocking Horse Children’s Charity, MIND, The Dame Vera Lynne Trust, The Open Minds Project, The Martletts, Chailey Heritage Foundation, Chestnut Tree House and many more. Many charities have struggled to raise funds during the pandemic, so there is no better time to engage and give back if you can. 

All of the above are cost effective ways to raise your professional profile. It provides a great opportunity to reflect on yourself too – your achievements and expertise, while striving for new goals. Profile raising can take time, so don’t give up at the initial hurdles. Be persistent, tenacious and flexible as much as possible. Raising your profile supports career opportunities as well as business development and marketing, so it is never a waste to invest time in you. 

Stephanie Prior
Business Development & Marketing Manager
Healys LLP