How To Improve Your LinkedIn Profile

How To Improve Your LinkedIn ProfileLinkedIn can be an extremely beneficial tool for your business. It can help with lead generation, making connections or helping your business grow. However, creating the perfect LinkedIn profile can be a difficult task.

Many people believe that your profile needs to be a duplicate of your CV, but the truth is that you can be a little less formal. It’s important to add a bit of your personality into your profile. After reading a number of different blogs that give advice on creating a great LinkedIn profile, here are some of the elements that everyone seems to agree on.

Here are some ways to improve your LinkedIn profile.

Photo

Your photo is your potential employers first impression of you, so make sure it’s a good one! Uploading a photo is extremely important – don’t leave this part blank. To have a prfessional profile picture consider having someone take a photo of you or try using a tripod. Do this to get a high quality image; one that is not grainy or pixelated. Make sure you are the subject of the image – not your dog, cat or new baby.

Job Title & Headline

Your headline will automatically default to your current position and place of employment, but many people strongly suggest adding a catchy headline that highlights who you are. Make sure to utilize keywords to help you get to the top of the list.

Summary

The summary section of your LinkedIn profile is your chance to shine. Don’t copy and paste from your CV. Write as if you are having a conversation with the person viewing your page. Talk about your strengths, accomplishments and what you do and what you have helped organizations to achieve.

Job History

Unlike your CV where you should put your most recent work experience, on LinkedIn it’s encouraged to add all previous employers.

Volunteer Experience

It’s important to let others know that you are active in your community. Include your volunteer history, both past and present.

Skills and Endorsements

Don’t be shy to ask others to endorse you or write a recommendation, in return you can do the same for them.

Contact Information

It’s encouraged to make sure that your contact information is up-to-date. Don’t forget to include your twitter, email address and personal and or business website urls.

Other things you can do to get noticed

  • Join groups
  • Be active on LinkedIn – post regularly
  • Make sure to connect with others

For more awesome LinkedIn tips you should visit LinkedIn Makeover, or follow Donna Serdula on Twitter.

Don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn for other B2B sales and marketing tips, and download our LinkedIn for Sales White Paper.

How To Improve Your LinkedIn Profile