Do you need to show your LinkedIn profile some love? When was the last time you updated your profile? Does it accurately reflect your current role and your service offering?

Why does it matter?

1. Linkedin is a search engine and comes up high in many search results
2. It is the first impression on your, your ability, your brand
3. It has the power to win or lose your business
4. Future employers, clients & candidates ARE judging you

These might seem like really basic things but I see at least 6 out of 10 profiles STILL that are missing these basics -keep reading.

Which one are you?

• Only get on LinkedIn when you have changed roles
• You might be an occasional user
• Use it religiously

Why does your LinkedIn profile matter?

1. Linkedin is a search engine and comes up high in many search results
2. It is first impression on you, your ability & your brand
3. It has the power to win or lose you business
4. Future employers, clients & candidates ARE judging you, based on what they see

So, what’s missing from a lot of profiles?

At least 6 out of 10 profiles are STILL missing the basic foundations. You just have to scroll through the feed and look at profiles to see the gaps and missed opportunities jump out at you.

At a minimum, make sure you show some love to these 5 things on your profile:

1. Profile photo – your wedding photo, your kids, a group photo or a selfie are NOT acceptable LinkedIn profile photos. Have a professional photo that shows some personality. It will make a difference to people accepting connection requests and wanting to take that meeting with you. (TIP: make sure it is current and not 5 years old when you were 10kg lighter and had different coloured hair)
2. Header image – it is a piece of real estate (DO NOT use the blue default background). Create a simple design in Canva that gives an indication of your brand or what you do. This is valuable real estate – do NOT waste it. Your header should show your personal or business brand, and articulate the problem you solve. A blue box is unacceptable.

 

3. Your headline should NOT be your job title – the majority of people have their title as their headline. Pro tip: Put your first & last name in the First name box and your title in where your last name would appear. That way you can create a headline in the headline section. Your headline should focus on the results or benefit of your product or service. It even says Headline in the backend admin area so it’s an obvious clue.

 

4. Add a 2000 word summary – this provides a general career overview and a chance to share your story. Do not make it a list of the tasks you do at work. That is not the place for it. No one wants to read a list of features – they are interested in how you solve problems for clients and seeing your expertise. So many people don’t have a summary and I never understand why. You are given this area by LinkedIn so use it wisely.

5. Optimise for keywords – what is your area of expertise that you want to be known for and that your potential customers are looking for? Use your keywords through your summary, headline, and job description to get found by more people.

 

If you are on LinkedIn then you know it can be a valuable business tool if you use it wisely. Think of LinkedIn as a mini-website. It should quickly & easily portray who you are, how you help clients/employers / other stakeholders, your areas of expertise, social proof.

If you don’t have the time, the energy, or the know-how to do it yourself, get in touch and I can show it some love for you. I can overhaul your profile, make it searchable and more visible to potential clients, candidates, employers, and stakeholders.

If you don’t have the time, the energy, or the know-how to do it yourself, get in touch and I can show it some love for you. tanya@digitalconversations.com.au