Top Tips for Creating a Strong LinkedIn Profile
If you are a business professional, then you want to network with other like-minded professionals. One place where you can make that happen is LinkedIn. Join today and get noticed with a strong profile showing.
What Is LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is the premier site on the Web for business professionals. Here you can find and network with others in your field as well as meet new people. You can also share business tips and techniques while offering some of your own to assist others. Make a strong online presence here to help grow your business.
If you are not on LinkedIn, you might want to reconsider. The site is free to sign up. They offer plenty of site support for you to get started. Learn what you need to know about navigating the site through the LinkedIn Learning Center.
Now that you know what it is, it’s time to get going.
Creating a Profile
The first thing you will want to do once you sign up is complete your profile. On LinkedIn, there are searchable areas in the profile that can increase your ranking on the site and by association, your business website(s). It is best to complete your profile 100 percent but as long as you are above 75 percent you will get ranked and noticed.
So, what needs to go into your profile? On the page, several fields are required, but like we said, filling them all in is your best strategy for attracting other business professionals.
* Name and tagline – If you own an online business, what is that catch phrase that helps to complete your brand? Enter that after your name as your tagline. If you don’t have one, then don’t worry. Remember, your email address doesn’t qualify.
* Resume – Who are you professionally? If you have a recent copy of your resume handy (most professionals do), then it will be easy to populate the required fields. Since this is online, make every word count. Shorten lengthy phrases to simple but effective keywords that imply a directed action that you have taken. For instance, type “managed five marketing teams” instead of “responsible for five marketing teams.” The second is more ambiguous. Let everyone know what your qualities are.
* Add a Photo – The internet can seem like a cold place. Posting a photo gives others a face to put with the personality you are trying to create here. Choose a professional print that highlights your best features. For the sake of continuity, use the same photo on your other social networking profile pages.
* Affiliations – What awards have you won? How about prestigious societies or boards you belong to? Here is the place to let your accomplishments speak for you.
* Websites – Include your professional business website that you own, or your company’s site. Include any other sites you may be affiliated with, along with active links.
* Recommendations – Even if you aren’t looking for a job on this site, you can increase your credibility with varied recommendations from other professionals with whom you have worked.
There are other fields but we have highlighted a few. Your LinkedIn profile is the first glimpse others will get of you. Put your best foot forward.