How to make a killer LinkedIn profile
Unless you have had your head hidden in the sand for the past few years, I am sure you must be familiar with the importance of how a good LinkedIn profile represents you,
your business and your brand.
Many of us seem to be under the illusion that once you set up your profile, the job is complete. Beware, this approach may not only lose you potential clients, but you may lose your valuable credibility as well.
We live in a competitive world and if you want to make an impact, you need to be in control of your online presence, personal brand, cultural fit, and reputation. This includes getting a grip on your LinkedIn presence.
Gone are the days that writing the three letters MBA after your name would bring you all the credibility you desired.
Failing to give adequate attention to your LinkedIn profile may not only lead to missing out on potential contacts, but you also run the risk of your competitors leaving you trailing behind.
The good news is that many of these issues can be resolved by taking the time to educate yourself on the workings of LinkedIn and learning to use it wisely.
Here are a few of my top tips for creating a successful profile:
1. Ensure your LinkedIn profile is congruent with who you are.
It isn’t about what you have done or how successful you have been. Your profile is more about making an emotional connection with the reader. The best way to do this is by using emotive language and keywords.
2. Don’t be afraid to sell yourself.
I know we don’t like to blow our own trumpet but hey, sometimes we need to if we want to engage effectively with our target audience.
3. Ensure your profile is pumped full of keywords in all areas of your profile.
The person and business with the most keywords win and this can
be an easy win for your competitors.
4. Connect, connect, connect!
Those who are looking for you will only find you if you are a first, second, or third level connection so make sure you connect with as many people as possible.
5. Your LinkedIn profile is just as important as any marketing material.
So if you are not comfortable writing it yourself, get someone to write it for you.
Jane Anderson is the founder of Inside Out Coach.
