4 Easy Tips for Improving Your LinkedIn Profile
By Jennifer Nelson, PCM©
When was the last time you updated your LinkedIn profile? If you can’t remember, then it’s time to polish your profile so that it shines when prospects and referral sources find you online.
When a prospect or referral source is given your name, they likely will perform an online search about you. Often, LinkedIn profiles are on the first page of search results. You don’t want someone to click on your profile and see you listed as still working at your previous job. It may make them second guess your attention to detail.
You want to make a great first impression on a prospect or referral source and help them quickly and easily learn about you and how you can help them. Devote time now to updating your profile so it can help you make a connection or win new business.
Here are 4 simple actions you can take to freshen your LinkedIn profile.
1. Choose a current picture for your profile photo.
Everyone who uses LinkedIn should have a profile photo. LinkedIn found that members who have a profile photo receive 21x more profile views and up to 36x more messages. Beyond having a picture, choose one that is professional and current. Using a profile pic that doesn’t look like you anymore may lead some people to be surprised when they meet with you in person. And, having a picture allows people to put a face to your name.
2. Make sure your profile is accurate.
Some people create a profile and then neglect to update it when they switch companies or receive promotion. Your job title and current role description should be up-to-date and accurate. Search engines will display your name and job title from your LinkedIn page. Make it easy for prospects to click on the right profile by keeping it current.
Review your other sections and add any relevant education, certifications or licenses you may have obtained since you last updated your profile. Add any recent volunteer activities or community service you have performed. This section of your profile allows you to highlight causes and organizations you champion, and can create a connection with a prospect or referral source who supports a similar cause.
3. Check your settings so that everything you want to be public is easily found.
In LinkedIn, you can choose what parts of your profile are visible and the audiences who can see them. For example, you can decide to make your profile picture visible to the public or you could make it so that only those in your network can see it. You can view your public profile by clicking on your account’s Settings & Privacy link and make any changes there. If you are trying to reach as many people as possible, it’s best to make every part of your profile public. You may choose, however, to limit your email address to connections instead of everyone on LinkedIn.
4. Add articles or publications you’ve authored.
If you’ve written blog posts or other content for your firm, share it on your LinkedIn page. Create an article using the content from your blog post and add a photo. Add a link in it directing people to a page on your site that you want them to see, such as the full post on your website, your services page, or how to contact you.
If your firm published an ebook or white paper, add that under publications on your accomplishments section. You can add colleagues who co-authored here, too. Ask them to add you to their projects.
These 4 items are simple ways that you can have a LinkedIn profile that will help make sure your prospects and COIs can easily find you and learn more about you and how you can help them.
If you have questions about the role social media such as LinkedIn should play in your marketing efforts, contact us today.