How to Stand Out on LinkedIn - 3 Top Secret Tips
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| http://inspiredtelemarketing.co.uk/ |
Today I’m going to talk about your LinkedIn profiles and I'm just going to focus on the top section.
This section is the first thing people see and they're quite likely to pass judgement on you from this.
If this section is done wrong, it can be detrimental to your account growth, so listen up y'all.
Let's call this area your online business card - it’s a lot
more important than people give it credit for.
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| I'd just like to say here, I made this profile. It is not based on anyone's profile. Apologies for my Paint skillz. photo from: gettyimages.com |
I have labelled from 1 – 3 what is wrong with “Emma’s”
profile.
1 – The Profile Picture
Ways to Improve it:
- Make sure the image is up-to-date and looks like you.
- Be the only star of your profile pic: no mates, no dates. Keep it personal and you rule out any "who's who?" games.
- Heads, shoulders.. no knees or toes. LinkedIn doesn't want a full body picture, because then users won't see your face and if they can't see your face well enough, they might not be able to see if you are who you say you are.
- Keep it simple - no snazzy backgrounds, no eccentric clothes. You want the focus to be on you.
- SMILE! Why so serious? Do you want to scare people away?
Why?
This is your chance to make a first impression. As sad as it
is, people judge you on your appearance and do so quickly. If you want them to communicate
with you, it’s important that you come across friendly and professional at the
same time. Not a grump and not an unprofessional party goer either.
Basically, it comes down to how trustworthy you look.
2 Name
Ways to Improve it?
- If you do something specific, for example "Dog Training" or "Yoga Instructor," try putting this in your name. It's not something LinkedIn gives you as an option, but this little cheat can help people find the right people in the right industries and quick!
- All you have to do is put your full name in the first name and your job in the surname, for example: Emma Smith | Publisher.
Why?
The only thing on LinkedIn that is searchable on Google is your name. That's it. If people don't know your name, but know what service they're looking for, it's only increasing your chances of being scoped out by potential clients.
3 Description
Ways to Improve it?
- Don't just put in "Graduate" - even if that's all you are. Dress yourself up. Use key words and buzz words to make yourself stand out.
- Use more than one role. Don't just put "Dog training and grooming" put something like "Director at Lucy's Dog World | Professional Dog Trainer, Groomer & Stylist | Expert in Discipline
This description is a little like your name, but instead of being searchable on Google, this is searchable on LinkedIn itself.
If people search on LinkedIn for someone in this profession, if you've used the right key words then you should come up before others. The more roles you put, the higher chance you have of someone looking for you.
These buzzwords also help you showcase your talent to the max. You're not just the "owner" of a company, you're a director or a founder. Use these big words, they work! Trust me.
Top Tip: Using Google's Adwords can help you find relevant and effective key words.
One final note about your description: When you get over 1000 first connections, put it here. If you have 500 or 5,000,000 it will only ever say 500+ so you've got to show off your connection numbers if they're high!
Why show off? Because this will encourage more people to connect with you and more importantly trust in you. Here's Emma's profile sorted out by yours truly and doesn't she just look fab?
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| Emma's new profile / photo from: |
So please, use these tips to beautify those LinkedIn profiles, get yourselves some credibility and bring LinkedIn back from the murky depths of sameness and not-standing-outness.
Show off you, show off what you've done and watch your profile flourish.
Megan Herdson
Megan is a country girl who moved to the city with some big dreams. She is studying her MA in Creative Writing whilst also managing an American Football Team. She loves her blog and wants nothing more than to have her words read. That and to win the Championship, obviously. Follow her @MeganAtSMF
Contact us on Twitter, on Facebook, or leave your comments below. To find out about social media training or management why not take a look at our website for more info http://socialmediacambridge.co.uk/.
How to Stand Out on LinkedIn - 3 Top Secret Tips
Reviewed by Unknown
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Friday, July 03, 2015
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Reviewed by Unknown
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Friday, July 03, 2015
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