Now there’s no need to make up an “inspirational” story or overshare in a post to show your more human side 😬
Just by adding your HelloBento to your profile you can transform an intro on LinkedIn from a slightly awkward and impersonal interaction to an authentic chat sparked by the things you find easy to talk about.
Sharing snippets of what you’re into and up to in the 6 compartments of your bento is the perfect way to break the ice and spark the kinds of conversations that lead to great working relationships.
Answering these 6 questions is a great way to break the business ice:
1. What are you watching right now?
You might find another Ted Lasso / Bad Sisters / Schitt’s Creek die hard out there who shares your obsession and can fangirl with you.
2. What are you reading this week?
Use this opportunity to share the book that is causing you to think differently about your work or life and see if it piques anyone’s interest. Or at least allows you the opportunity to talk about its theme and get another opinion.
3. What’s your favorite food from your culture?
Share a little bit about where you’re from and the food that’s important to you and see where it leads to.
4. Are you a Morning of Afternoon person?
Give someone else the opportunity to connect with you when you’re at your best 😉
5. What did you get up to last weekend?
You never know who might share the same interests or share a connection with a person or place you've visited recently.
6. What languages do you speak?
It's not a humble brag if it helps you connect with someone else!
These are just 6 of our favourites, but every one of the dozens of HelloBento ice-breaker questions provides an opportunity to spark connection.
1. The BASIC WAY to add your HelloBento to your LinkedIn profile
This link will only show in your contact info but won’t show in your header profile. But it’s the only way if you don’t have Creator mode turned on.
Click the Me icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
Click View profile.
Click Contact info in your introduction section.
In the pop-up window that appears, click the Edit pencil icon.
In the pop-up window that appears, scroll down to Website.
Copy and paste your HelloBento link into the Website URL field.
Choose Personal from the Website type dropdown list.
Click Save.
Your link will appear in Contact info when someone is logged in and viewing your profile.
Your link will appear in Websites when someone is not logged in and viewing your profile.
2. THE BEST WAY to add your HelloBento to your LinkedIn profile
Your link will show at the top of your profile and you can even customize how your link will appear.
Click the Me icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
Click View profile.
In the Resources section on your profile, go to Creator mode.
If you have not yet activated Creator mode, click the Off button, then Next and then the Turn on button.
Click the X in the top right of the pop-up window
Click the Edit pencil icon in the top right of your profile (not your cover photo).
Scroll down to the bottom of the pop up window and add your Hello Bento to the Website section at the bottom.
In Link text you can customize how your link will appear. Here are some suggestions: “A little bit about non-work me” OR “What I’m into right now” OR "Check out my HelloBento" OR 'Here’s 6 things you might not know about me".
Click Save.
That's it! Just by adding one little link, you've just given new and existing contacts the opportunity to connect with you about things you find easy to talk about and spark some big moments of connection.