Are you getting the most out of your LinkedIn profile?
Not presenting yourself in a professional manner on LinkedIn is like showing up to a business meeting looking like this picture of Queen B.
If Beyonce can’t pull this off, no one can. To get the attention of potential employers, business partners, colleagues, and industry peers, make sure your profile is on point. To do so, here are a few tips.
Make sure to use a fish-face selfie for your profile picture. Just kidding, please do not do this. A profile picture needs to convey that you are a reliable, business professional and a nice looking headshot is the best way to do this.
Snapshot
Sure, sometimes too much information is a bad thing. Stop talking about your dates, GRANDMA. In the case of LinkedIn, if someone is looking at your profile it’s safe to say they are interested in what you have to say about yourself. Think about your profile as a digital resume. It’s important to give your visitors a well-rounded look into you as a professional.
TMI.
HOW TO: Edit your Profile
“Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection, the lovers, the dreamers and me.” - Kermit the Frog
If Kermit the Frog had a LinkedIn profile I imagine it would look a lot like the song, “Rainbow Connection.” While it might seem like a good idea to accept every lover and dreamer that would like to connect with you on LinkedIn to get your numbers up, I advise against this.
It’s important to keep in mind that you’re only as good as the company you keep and your connections are featured at the bottom of your profile. That said, DO connect with potential business partners, colleagues, and your professional contacts.
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HOW TO: Make a Connection
HOW TO: Remove a Connection
Endorsements and Reviews
Endorsements are the Yelp reviews of the business world. Time and time again studies show that peers influence our decisions more than anything else. Your endorsements and reviews may be the difference between getting the business opportunities you want or letting them slip away.
This goes for endorsing and writing reviews for others as well—if you’ve had a good experience with another professional let them know. This will increase the chances of someone sending good vibes your way.
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HOW TO: Endorse a Connection
“4 friends and babysitting, what could be more fun?” - The Babysitters Club
The members of the babysitting club had the right idea. Whether it’s to discuss “Kristy’s Big Idea” or you’re looking to stake your claim as a thought leader in your industry, joining and participating in a group is a great way to get your personal brand out there.
Joining Groups on LinkedIn
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HOW TO: Find and Join a Group
To up the value of your profile it’s important for you to engage with your connections. Did your colleague share a post? Go ahead and like it. If you do this they may return the favor in the future.
I’m interested.
HOW TO: Like Shared Content
Sharing is Caring
To be recognized as a thought leader on LinkedIn, or any social media outlet, you need to be a curator of content. If a connection finds your information useful you will find them coming back to you for more information.
HOW TO: Share Content
If you follow these directions your LinkedIn profile is certain to look profesh to death.
If you have any additional questions please feel free to email me at megan@themightyengine.com