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How
to Make Your LinkedIn Profile Really Sound Like You
By
Wayne Breitbarth,
Andersen Alumnus and CEO-Power Formula LLC (Author of “The Power Formula for LinkedIn
Success: Kick-Start Your Business, Brand and Job Search’)
“Before I meet someone
for the first time, I send them a link to my profile. I think that—when we meet
someone—the entire first meeting (as well as the rest of the relationship) is a confirmation
(or correction) of our pre-existing expectations. I send my profile in
advance because I think it will establish the right expectations. Looking
at my LinkedIn profile is a lot like meeting me.”
—Artie
Isaac (Vistage chair,
CEO coach, and creativity trainer—convening CEO peer groups)
When my friend Artie
Isaac said that, I had to stop and ask him to repeat it. Then I realized, holy
cow, this is one of the best overall LinkedIn profile strategies I’ve ever
heard—and I was bummed I didn’t think of it myself!
If you aren’t using this
brilliant strategy, it just might be the reason your LinkedIn profile is not
generating the profile views, connection requests or, more importantly, meeting
requests/phone calls/emails, etc. you’d like to see from the right people.
However, if you’re going
to direct people to your profile, you need to be certain it adequately reflects
not only your experience but also your personality and passion—in other words,
exactly what makes you tick.
.
8 quick and easy profile
updates
You only get one chance
to make a powerful first impression. These eight simple profile tweaks will
help you put your best foot forward and engage with the people who look at your
profile.
1. Profile photo. Be sure your profile photo is current and
you’re wearing your typical business attire, because you want them to recognize
you when you meet.
2. Background
photo. If you’re going to
replace the default background, make sure it presents a positive image that
reflects your personal brand. The other day I had a job seeker whose background
photo was a beach view, a drink, a palm tree, and his sunburnt feet. I
have a feeling prospective employers might think he’s more focused on his PTO
than their job.
3. Headline. Are headlines important in the articles you read? Of course, they are, and the same is true of your LinkedIn headline. Don’t let this powerful branding
section consist of just your title and current
company name (this is the LinkedIn default). Make the most of the 220
characters, and include not only your professional occupation and skills, but
consider using some of the space to showcase a personal interest or passion.
Visit the Free Resources section of my website to download my Definitive Worksheet to
Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile Headline. It includes more tips on this
important profile section.
4. First person. Write your profile in the first person,
because that makes it easier to draw people in and quickly put them at ease.
Third person can make you appear distant.
5. Tone. Be sure the tone of your profile reflects
your personality—such as friendly, funny, helpful, etc.—while still keeping in
mind that LinkedIn is a professional site.
6. Concern for
others. If you share your
time and talents with nonprofit organizations, you may wish to include a
reference to this in your About section (formerly called the Summary section)
or add separate Job Experience entries to share more specific details about your
involvement with particular groups. You can also use the Volunteering special
profile section. Adding media to these profile sections can make them more
interesting—and you can also request recommendations. These references can be
great conversation starters.
7. LinkedIn
activity. Any status updates
or published posts you originate or like, comment on, or share will be a
reflection of your personality and style. Therefore, be sure to think about how
it might be perceived before clicking any of those buttons.
Your current activity is
prominently displayed in the Activity box toward the top of
your profile, and thus it grabs your viewers’ attention. This will give readers
of your profile a good feel for the information and type of audience you’re
passionate about.
8. Featured section. This fairly newish section on your profile
is a great way to share not only documents that help you generate more business
or find a job, but why not include information from your favorite nonprofit,
business association or university/school.
After you update your
profile, ask a close friend or business associate if it’s a positive and
accurate representation of who you are—or, as my friend Artie said, does it
feel a lot like meeting you? Make a great first impression, and it’s sure to
improve your LinkedIn ROI.
If you want me to check
your profile as part of my full profile critique and also help you develop
strategies to skyrocket your business and career, then take advantage of my
special one-hour $197 LinkedIn consultation. This consultation will take place on the phone, and I’ll share
my desktop screen with you. I will email your marked-up profile to you prior to
our session. Click here to book your session.
Here are a few comments
from my recent clients:
“Great job offer received via LinkedIn only two
days after consulting with Wayne!”
From an ROI standpoint, spending time with Wayne
has generated a HUGE return on my investment!
My effectiveness at using LinkedIn has improved
because of what I’ve learned from Wayne. I’ve literally attracted
clients who’ve directly reached out to me on LinkedIn.
Don’t miss your chance to get results like these. Book your session now by clicking here. Space is limited.