March 18, 2025 • 11 mins
LinkedIn Profile Mini Audit with Kim Groshek | LinkedIn Tips for Coaches / Consultants / Speakers
In this episode, I'm joined by fellow Innovation Women member, Kim Groshek. Kim is the founder of Lifeful Habits and her signature talk is 'Finding Your Voice.'
I offer Kim a few specific tips to enhance her LinkedIn profile, making it more effective for attracting business clients—particularly executives.
We cover essential adjustments in areas such as profile visibility, header images, about statements, and call-to-actions.
If you're looking to optimize your LinkedIn presence, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Want a free profile mini-audit? Download my checklist 15 LinkedIn Profile Tips for Coaches and Consultants and follow the instructions in one of the final emails about this resource.
00:00 Introductions
00:37 Understanding Kim's Business and Clients
01:34 Profile Header Optimization
03:16 Custom Link and Header Image Tips
05:37 About Section Best Practices
07:50 Final Tips and Call to Action
09:19 Conclusion and Invitation to Innovation Women / Speaker Friends Friday
**************************************
My name is Brenda Meller. I'm a LinkedIn coach, consultant, speaker, and author. My company is Meller Marketing and I help business professionals get a bigger slice of the LinkedIn pie.
Visit mellermarketing.com
Let's connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brendameller
(click MORE to invite me to connect and mention you listened to my podcast)
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, it's Brenda Meller.
Back for another LinkedInProfile Mini Audit.
Today I am joined by fellowInnovation Women member, kim
Groshek.
Hey Kim, how are you doingtoday?
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Hi Brenda, Thanks for doing this for me.
I'm so excited.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Yeah, excited as well .
So, as I am getting startedhere, kim, why don't you take a
minute?
Tell us again your name, whatis your signature talk about,
and the name of your business aswell, my name is Kim Groshek
and my signature talk is Findingyour Voice, and my company is
(00:35):
Lifeful Habits.
Wonderful and, as we're gettingstarted with the Profile Mini
Audit, I always like to ask thequestion Kim, do you have any
specific questions on thingsyou'd like me to cover as it
relates to using your profilefor speaking or for your
business, or are you just opento some general pointers?
Speaker 2 (00:51):
I'm open for anything that you have to offer here.
All right.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
And in our pre-show you indicated to me that you're
using your LinkedIn profile moreso for your business than for
speaking.
So tell me a little bit aboutwhat types of clients are you
looking to attract to yourprofile and which services are
you offering to them.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Yeah, so I'm looking for executives, catalysts,
people that are making bigchanges in the world,
influencers.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Okay, wonderful, and the types of services you're
offering.
Is it like executive coachingthen?
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Yes, that's the most, that's.
There's other things.
I actually offer stages andthings like that, but the main
thing is I offer visibility forpeople, influencers, that want
to make a big change in theworld, so that they get that.
Yeah, so, and I do coaching.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
All right.
So one thing I noticed was atthe top of your profile we have
your header image, we have yourheadshot photo, we have your
name, we have your headline andtypically we will see at the top
of your profile we'll seeeducational institution and
we'll see one company that'slisted in here.
And I noticed that youremployer page isn't showing on
here.
Was that intentional or wasthat maybe turned off in error?
I don't think.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
I did that in error.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
Okay, so let me show you what I'm referring to.
I'm going to pull my profile upside by side so you can see
what I'm referring to here.
So in your top header on theleft-hand side, you have your
name and your headline.
On the right-hand side, in thiswhite area we typically will
see your company and then we'llsee one educational institution
listed.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
So I'm looking at your profile.
I don't know what I did.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
Yeah, so this will be an easy fix If I were you, and
you can do this after the call.
You'll click on that graypencil icon at the top of your
profile and you'll scroll downto the area that says current
position and just make sure thatshow current company in my
intro is checked, and if youhave multiple current positions,
just make sure that it's therole that you want to show in
(02:39):
your top header card, thecompany, rather, that you want
to show in your top header card.
Does that?
Speaker 2 (02:42):
make sense.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
Yes, okay, and that's a little thing like sometimes
when I'm not seeing at the topof a profile.
I'm an experienced LinkedIncoach.
I look at a lot of profiles, sosometimes I think that person
might be in career transitionand they don't have a current
employer and they're trying tohide it or downplay it a little
bit.
And I know in your case you'reself-employed, so it's probably
just an oversight and itactually realistically came.
(03:05):
It might've been something thatyou deselected without even
realizing it.
Or sometimes LinkedIn makeschanges for us and doesn't tell
us, so important to know wherethose settings are.
Okay, all right.
So next thing is at the top ofyour profile, underneath Greater
Milwaukee.
I see that you're using thecustom link, which I really like
.
Now my recommendation is let'sthink your typical target
(03:30):
audience who's reading yourprofile.
Let's assume they've neverheard of you.
Maybe somebody has said, oh,you got to check out Kim Groshek
and they go to your profile.
I want to make sure thateverything is as easy as
possible and as enticing aspossible for using links to get
them to click to go over.
So if they don't really knowwhat you do, kim's website might
not be as intuitive like interms of the services that
(03:50):
you're offering, or why do Iwant to go to Kim's website?
Let me just show you incomparison.
I certainly could have just putMellormarketingcom, but instead
I'm directing them to aspecific webpage 15 LinkedIn
tips checklist.
So in this custom link you canactually type something out and
you have up to 30 characters inthere.
So you might want to saysomething like tips for
(04:12):
executive influencers, something, something that's going to get
me to go Ooh, I need that.
And get you to click to go toyour website.
What do you think about that?
I think it's great.
Thank you, good and easy tip.
Okay, and then, before we movedown, I'll give you one more in
the lower area profile, butbefore we move off of the top
header card, these two imagesare so important your headshot
photo and we've got your headerimage in the background.
(04:34):
Tell me a little bit about thatheader image.
It looks like that's you up onstage.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Yeah, that's me speaking keynote down at the
School of Education or theEducators Association in Texas.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
That's a really great photo and I love how they have
the letters up on stage andeverything.
How often do you change outthat header image?
How long has this been on here,would you say?
Speaker 2 (04:52):
I just did it about two weeks ago.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
Oh, wonderful.
Okay, that's what I'm lookingfor there in terms of currency
and recency of the photo.
So typically I recommendswapping out that header image
photo at least once a year.
And for someone like you who'sgot really a dynamic business
you're speaking, you're doingthese different sessions, etc.
Think about this almost like abillboard on the side of a
highway and we think aboutadvertisers.
Don't leave those signs up allyear long.
They're swapping them out.
(05:14):
Now they're going digital, sothey're swapping them out like
every 20 seconds.
That's too fast for LinkedIn,but I would say at least once
per quarter, or you could evengo monthly with a new image.
And the good thing, kim, is itdoesn't push it out as a
notification.
So when you swap something in,it just gives profile visitors
something new to look at.
But seeing that you justupdated that, you're in great
shape there, so let's move on.
(05:36):
I'm going to scroll down, okay,in your about statement.
Now I want you to consider thefact that in your about
statement, you've got 2,600characters to tell your story.
Now, I am an opportunisticmarketer, so if LinkedIn says,
hey, we're going to give you abox for 2,600 characters, I
would say use all 2,600, use asmany as you can, but I also like
to think about the psychologyof how people are using LinkedIn
(05:58):
and user behavior.
So one thing that we know isthat most people will not click
on see more Now.
The bright people will, butwe've really got to capture
their attention in those firstfour sentences.
So my personal recommendationis that we don't have any spaces
in there between your firstline, kim Groshek, and have you
ever felt overwhelmed?
(06:18):
Because those first four linesI think you get about 400 to 450
characters really precious realestate.
So if you're going to keepeverything in as is, I would
move, have up to the end oflegacy builder in there, or even
better.
Yet maybe you want to start with.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed,constantly busy, not truly
(06:38):
progressing?
Because if we see what else islisted in here, we want to think
about is this maybe morecompelling for for your average,
for your ideal target audience?
And then maybe, if this isbeing used for keywords, for SEO
purposes, maybe we move thatsomeplace else in the about
statement.
What are your thoughts on that?
I think that's great, thank you,okay, good, and then, while
(06:59):
we're inside here, what I'm alsolooking for is a couple things
I'll give to you.
One is could we add a littlepop of color?
It's pretty hard to do thiswithin LinkedIn because it's not
an HTML editor, but what youcan do is you could swap out
your bulleted list.
Instead of just using a littlebullet emoji, you could swap it
out.
Let me just show you as anexample here.
(07:20):
You could use, like, the greencheckmark emoji in there instead
.
Or, if you're talking aboutyour speaking topics, you could
use a microphone emoji orsomething.
Now, I wouldn't use 12different emojis.
I would say pick one, but thinkabout adding something that
adds a little pop of color.
I'm even looking at your namenow that I'm looking at this and
you've got like a sunburst icon.
Is that something that you'refrequently using as an emoji,
kim?
Speaker 2 (07:41):
I'm frequently using it by my name and it does get a
little bit, by the way.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
Okay, so you can think about using that or just
something else to add a littlepop of color.
And then, while we're insidehere, I'll give you one final
tip, which is I want you tothink about the average person
who's visiting your profile.
Let's assume they're not yetconnected with you.
Maybe they're not sure if theywant to connect with you yet
because they don't know ifyou're the right person for them
to do business with or you'restill earning their trust at
this point.
(08:06):
So they're kind of lookingaround your profile and we want
to give them links where theycan go to do more research and
learn more about you.
If they're not connected to you, when they click on contact
info, there's a good likelihoodthey're not going to see your
email address or any links thatyou have inside there.
Just because of the LinkedInsettings.
They will see the Kim's websitelink that you have in your top
header card If you change thatto something you know learn more
(08:27):
about executive services orsomething that can help draw
them in.
But also, I'd love to see atleast one call to action inside
your about statement.
Now the call to action could becontact me at Kim at gmailcom
whatever that email address is.
It could be call me at put yourphone number or Google voice
number, or it could be visit ourwebsite at kimgroshekcom
(08:49):
whatever that is to learn more.
But let's make it easy forpeople who want to do business
with us, either right away likesend them to the booking page
inside there or, more thanlikely, they're still shopping
around.
So where do they go next to getmore information to learn about
working with you, whetherthat's a website or reaching out
to you through email?
Sometimes people will put adiscovery call link inside here
(09:09):
as well, but some path ofcontinuing on to learn more
about you.
Okay, is that helpful there?
Yeah, it is Great.
Thank you.
All right, wonderful.
Well, I want to start to wrapup the session here today and I
hope that you found this helpful.
You picked up a couple of newtips for your profile.
I know you mentioned in ourdiscovery call you're thinking
about changing up your signaturetalk topic.
(09:31):
Can you remind me what thatsignature talk is about again?
Speaker 2 (09:35):
Finding your voice.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
Wonderful.
Well, lots of opportunity forthat in today's market,
especially Kim.
So thank you so much for beingon and thank you for giving me
the time and the opportunity togive you some profile tips today
.
Yeah, thank you Wonderful andfor our listeners and viewers.
I want to encourage you.
If you're interested inlearning more about getting a
speaker profile mini audit, comeon a Speaker Friends Friday.
I think it's called InnovationWomen's Speaker Friend Friday
(09:59):
phone call with us.
I'm going to put the link downin comments.
The calls are really amazing.
They're organized by BobbiCarlton and we're always sharing
links and resources with oneanother.
So thank you so much forlistening and watching and have
a great day.
Hey, it's Brenda Meller.
Back for another LinkedInProfile Mini Audit.
Today I am joined by fellowInnovation Women member, kim
Groshek.
Hey Kim, how are you doingtoday?
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Hi Brenda, Thanks for doing this for me.
I'm so excited.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Yeah, excited as well .
So, as I am getting startedhere, kim, why don't you take a
minute?
Tell us again your name, whatis your signature talk about,
and the name of your business aswell, my name is Kim Groshek
and my signature talk is Findingyour Voice, and my company is
(00:35):
Lifeful Habits.
Wonderful and, as we're gettingstarted with the Profile Mini
Audit, I always like to ask thequestion Kim, do you have any
specific questions on thingsyou'd like me to cover as it
relates to using your profilefor speaking or for your
business, or are you just opento some general pointers?
Speaker 2 (00:51):
I'm open for anything that you have to offer here.
All right.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
And in our pre-show you indicated to me that you're
using your LinkedIn profile moreso for your business than for
speaking.
So tell me a little bit aboutwhat types of clients are you
looking to attract to yourprofile and which services are
you offering to them.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Yeah, so I'm looking for executives, catalysts,
people that are making bigchanges in the world,
influencers.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Okay, wonderful, and the types of services you're
offering.
Is it like executive coachingthen?
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Yes, that's the most, that's.
There's other things.
I actually offer stages andthings like that, but the main
thing is I offer visibility forpeople, influencers, that want
to make a big change in theworld, so that they get that.
Yeah, so, and I do coaching.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
All right.
So one thing I noticed was atthe top of your profile we have
your header image, we have yourheadshot photo, we have your
name, we have your headline andtypically we will see at the top
of your profile we'll seeeducational institution and
we'll see one company that'slisted in here.
And I noticed that youremployer page isn't showing on
here.
Was that intentional or wasthat maybe turned off in error?
I don't think.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
I did that in error.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
Okay, so let me show you what I'm referring to.
I'm going to pull my profile upside by side so you can see
what I'm referring to here.
So in your top header on theleft-hand side, you have your
name and your headline.
On the right-hand side, in thiswhite area we typically will
see your company and then we'llsee one educational institution
listed.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
So I'm looking at your profile.
I don't know what I did.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
Yeah, so this will be an easy fix If I were you, and
you can do this after the call.
You'll click on that graypencil icon at the top of your
profile and you'll scroll downto the area that says current
position and just make sure thatshow current company in my
intro is checked, and if youhave multiple current positions,
just make sure that it's therole that you want to show in
(02:39):
your top header card, thecompany, rather, that you want
to show in your top header card.
Does that?
Speaker 2 (02:42):
make sense.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
Yes, okay, and that's a little thing like sometimes
when I'm not seeing at the topof a profile.
I'm an experienced LinkedIncoach.
I look at a lot of profiles, sosometimes I think that person
might be in career transitionand they don't have a current
employer and they're trying tohide it or downplay it a little
bit.
And I know in your case you'reself-employed, so it's probably
just an oversight and itactually realistically came.
(03:05):
It might've been something thatyou deselected without even
realizing it.
Or sometimes LinkedIn makeschanges for us and doesn't tell
us, so important to know wherethose settings are.
Okay, all right.
So next thing is at the top ofyour profile, underneath Greater
Milwaukee.
I see that you're using thecustom link, which I really like
.
Now my recommendation is let'sthink your typical target
(03:30):
audience who's reading yourprofile.
Let's assume they've neverheard of you.
Maybe somebody has said, oh,you got to check out Kim Groshek
and they go to your profile.
I want to make sure thateverything is as easy as
possible and as enticing aspossible for using links to get
them to click to go over.
So if they don't really knowwhat you do, kim's website might
not be as intuitive like interms of the services that
(03:50):
you're offering, or why do Iwant to go to Kim's website?
Let me just show you incomparison.
I certainly could have just putMellormarketingcom, but instead
I'm directing them to aspecific webpage 15 LinkedIn
tips checklist.
So in this custom link you canactually type something out and
you have up to 30 characters inthere.
So you might want to saysomething like tips for
(04:12):
executive influencers, something, something that's going to get
me to go Ooh, I need that.
And get you to click to go toyour website.
What do you think about that?
I think it's great.
Thank you, good and easy tip.
Okay, and then, before we movedown, I'll give you one more in
the lower area profile, butbefore we move off of the top
header card, these two imagesare so important your headshot
photo and we've got your headerimage in the background.
(04:34):
Tell me a little bit about thatheader image.
It looks like that's you up onstage.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Yeah, that's me speaking keynote down at the
School of Education or theEducators Association in Texas.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
That's a really great photo and I love how they have
the letters up on stage andeverything.
How often do you change outthat header image?
How long has this been on here,would you say?
Speaker 2 (04:52):
I just did it about two weeks ago.
Speaker 1 (04:54):
Oh, wonderful.
Okay, that's what I'm lookingfor there in terms of currency
and recency of the photo.
So typically I recommendswapping out that header image
photo at least once a year.
And for someone like you who'sgot really a dynamic business
you're speaking, you're doingthese different sessions, etc.
Think about this almost like abillboard on the side of a
highway and we think aboutadvertisers.
Don't leave those signs up allyear long.
They're swapping them out.
(05:14):
Now they're going digital, sothey're swapping them out like
every 20 seconds.
That's too fast for LinkedIn,but I would say at least once
per quarter, or you could evengo monthly with a new image.
And the good thing, kim, is itdoesn't push it out as a
notification.
So when you swap something in,it just gives profile visitors
something new to look at.
But seeing that you justupdated that, you're in great
shape there, so let's move on.
(05:36):
I'm going to scroll down, okay,in your about statement.
Now I want you to consider thefact that in your about
statement, you've got 2,600characters to tell your story.
Now, I am an opportunisticmarketer, so if LinkedIn says,
hey, we're going to give you abox for 2,600 characters, I
would say use all 2,600, use asmany as you can, but I also like
to think about the psychologyof how people are using LinkedIn
(05:58):
and user behavior.
So one thing that we know isthat most people will not click
on see more Now.
The bright people will, butwe've really got to capture
their attention in those firstfour sentences.
So my personal recommendationis that we don't have any spaces
in there between your firstline, kim Groshek, and have you
ever felt overwhelmed?
(06:18):
Because those first four linesI think you get about 400 to 450
characters really precious realestate.
So if you're going to keepeverything in as is, I would
move, have up to the end oflegacy builder in there, or even
better.
Yet maybe you want to start with.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed,constantly busy, not truly
(06:38):
progressing?
Because if we see what else islisted in here, we want to think
about is this maybe morecompelling for for your average,
for your ideal target audience?
And then maybe, if this isbeing used for keywords, for SEO
purposes, maybe we move thatsomeplace else in the about
statement.
What are your thoughts on that?
I think that's great, thank you,okay, good, and then, while
(06:59):
we're inside here, what I'm alsolooking for is a couple things
I'll give to you.
One is could we add a littlepop of color?
It's pretty hard to do thiswithin LinkedIn because it's not
an HTML editor, but what youcan do is you could swap out
your bulleted list.
Instead of just using a littlebullet emoji, you could swap it
out.
Let me just show you as anexample here.
(07:20):
You could use, like, the greencheckmark emoji in there instead
.
Or, if you're talking aboutyour speaking topics, you could
use a microphone emoji orsomething.
Now, I wouldn't use 12different emojis.
I would say pick one, but thinkabout adding something that
adds a little pop of color.
I'm even looking at your namenow that I'm looking at this and
you've got like a sunburst icon.
Is that something that you'refrequently using as an emoji,
kim?
Speaker 2 (07:41):
I'm frequently using it by my name and it does get a
little bit, by the way.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
Okay, so you can think about using that or just
something else to add a littlepop of color.
And then, while we're insidehere, I'll give you one final
tip, which is I want you tothink about the average person
who's visiting your profile.
Let's assume they're not yetconnected with you.
Maybe they're not sure if theywant to connect with you yet
because they don't know ifyou're the right person for them
to do business with or you'restill earning their trust at
this point.
(08:06):
So they're kind of lookingaround your profile and we want
to give them links where theycan go to do more research and
learn more about you.
If they're not connected to you, when they click on contact
info, there's a good likelihoodthey're not going to see your
email address or any links thatyou have inside there.
Just because of the LinkedInsettings.
They will see the Kim's websitelink that you have in your top
header card If you change thatto something you know learn more
(08:27):
about executive services orsomething that can help draw
them in.
But also, I'd love to see atleast one call to action inside
your about statement.
Now the call to action could becontact me at Kim at gmailcom
whatever that email address is.
It could be call me at put yourphone number or Google voice
number, or it could be visit ourwebsite at kimgroshekcom
(08:49):
whatever that is to learn more.
But let's make it easy forpeople who want to do business
with us, either right away likesend them to the booking page
inside there or, more thanlikely, they're still shopping
around.
So where do they go next to getmore information to learn about
working with you, whetherthat's a website or reaching out
to you through email?
Sometimes people will put adiscovery call link inside here
(09:09):
as well, but some path ofcontinuing on to learn more
about you.
Okay, is that helpful there?
Yeah, it is Great.
Thank you.
All right, wonderful.
Well, I want to start to wrapup the session here today and I
hope that you found this helpful.
You picked up a couple of newtips for your profile.
I know you mentioned in ourdiscovery call you're thinking
about changing up your signaturetalk topic.
(09:31):
Can you remind me what thatsignature talk is about again?
Speaker 2 (09:35):
Finding your voice.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
Wonderful.
Well, lots of opportunity forthat in today's market,
especially Kim.
So thank you so much for beingon and thank you for giving me
the time and the opportunity togive you some profile tips today
.
Yeah, thank you Wonderful andfor our listeners and viewers.
I want to encourage you.
If you're interested inlearning more about getting a
speaker profile mini audit, comeon a Speaker Friends Friday.
I think it's called InnovationWomen's Speaker Friend Friday
(09:59):
phone call with us.
I'm going to put the link downin comments.
The calls are really amazing.
They're organized by BobbiCarlton and we're always sharing
links and resources with oneanother.
So thank you so much forlistening and watching and have
a great day.
Popular Podcasts
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.