Below you will find my top 3 tips to optimizing your LinkedIn profile that will help bring some life into your page and generate more profile views leading to more relationships. Your profile is your free advertisement and if complete can help you rank better and searches and clarify your objectives as a professional.
First it is important to clarify what LinkedIn can be extremely useful for and your "why" to optimizing your profile:
- Get New Customers
- Network and Build Relationships
- Finding a Job
Once you understand your LinkedIn "why" you are ready to optimize your profile - follow the 3 tips below:
1) Complete Your Profile
Make sure that every section of your profile has been completed and that there are no blank spaces or obvious gaps. Your LinkedIn profile is your online resume, so treat it with the same level of seriousness you would your normal resume. Here’s what you need to have completed to have an "All-Star" status:
Only 50.5% of people have a 100% completed LinkedIn profile
- Have a high quality and appropriate profile header image (ie. professional)
- Make your contact information visible
- Add your industry and location
- Your education information
- A minimum of three skills
- At least two past positions
- A current position
2) Build an "Attention-Grabbing" Headline
The next step is to write an attention-grabbing headline. Quickly explain what you currently do as well as what you want to be doing (if it’s not the same). Show your passion, uniqueness, creativity, and how you add value to people through what you do.
It is your 120 character hook to people finding you in a LinkedIn search, it should be about what you do as opposed to what you are.
So, instead of defaulting to a job title, add a bit more, like this:
- Experienced Graphic Designer for Fortune 500 Companies
- Social Media Expert Seeking Challenging and Unique Opportunities
3) Complete Your "About" Section & Gear it Toward Your Prospect
Your about section (aka summary) is your introduction to you. This is your opportunity to speak to your audience directly, in a one-on-one conversation. Make sure you do not talk yourself up too much and instead gear your about section to cover the following:
- WHO you are
- WHO you help
- HOW you help them
Tips when writing your about section:
- Do not write big paragraphs of text - instead break text down into smaller paragraphs and bulleted lists to make it visually appealing.
- Add "buzz-words" (aka keywords) and bring out your personality.
- Make sure to cover clearly who you are, who you help, and how you help them.
- Gear the profile to your ideal prospect - your profile is your chance to create opportunities for those who land there, but you need to show that you can solve their problems.
- Ask a friend or colleague to look your profile for anything that they would recommend - chance are you missed something or need to clarify your message somewhere.
