Ring in the New Year with these 2023 LinkedIn Resolutions

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’)

Happy New Year!

I hope you had a safe and fun New Year's celebration and are looking forward to having a super successful 2023.

In doing my part as your trusted LinkedIn advisor, I'd like to share with you the very best resolutions for improving your LinkedIn profile and LinkedIn activities so that your efforts on the site can contribute (hopefully in a really big way) to your success this year.

I have also included an additional resource for each of the resolutions in case you need more details on that specific LinkedIn strategy.

Resolutions for your LinkedIn profile

I will make sure that my LinkedIn profile photo and background photo are current and properly reflect my personal (and company if applicable) brand.

These photos are very important because they set the tone for the rest of your profile, where you can only include a few photos and limited graphics. So choose photos that display your professionalism and will make a great first impression when people view your profile.

I will make sure my LinkedIn profile Headline clearly states what I do and how I can help people.

Are headlines important on articles we read—or don't read, for that matter? Of course, they are. So don't simply use the default LinkedIn headline (your current job title and current company name). Create a headline that will entice readers to look at the rest of your profile and then reach out and ask you to connect—and hopefully these relationships will lead to quantifiable results.

I will properly keyword-optimize my profile so the LinkedIn search ranking algorithm gives me the favor I deserve.

I do quite a few one-on-one LinkedIn consultations each week, and keyword optimization is the quickest way to get my clients to come up on the first few pages of LinkedIn searches for their products and services. It is not the only thing that goes into the magic LinkedIn algorithm, but it is the easiest thing to fix. Don't wait around to make this critical adjustment to your profile. Your competitors and the other candidates for the job you're looking for may be getting this advice as well..

Resolutions for your LinkedIn activities

I will prepare for important "networking type" meetings by reviewing the LinkedIn profiles of the participants and doing a filtered search of their networks.

LinkedIn makes is extremely easy to research people's career paths, what they're currently doing, what they're interested in, and who they know. Do some research beforehand, and then you'll spend less time getting to know them and more time learning how you can help them and they can help you (perhaps by introducing you to important people in their networks)..

I will always customize my invitation when asking someone to join my LinkedIn network.

Remember, you're asking to be part of someone's treasured asset—their network—and you should be respectful and take the time to let them know that you'll treat them and their network with the highest level of professionalism—and don't forget to tell them how they'll benefit as well.

I will consistently review who has viewed my profile and take the appropriate steps to not only connect or message them but perhaps make a follow-up call, send an email, or schedule a meeting.

Based on my most recent LinkedIn user survey, Who's Viewed Your Profile is the top rated Linkedin feature—and for good reason. They took the first step toward you, which makes it really easy for you to take the next step.

I will not simply hit the Accept button on the inbound invitations I receive that meet my acceptance criteria, but I will consider a follow-up call, email, and/or meeting.

Just like the step above, an inbound invitation was initiated by the other party. Therefore, it's your move. Make it one that will have an impact on this new relationship rather than simply adding another body to your network. As far as I know, there's no prize for having the biggest network. What you really want is a robust network that will help you reach your business and career goals.

There you have it—the very best LinkedIn new year's resolutions. Whether you do every one of these or pick and choose just a few, I'm confident that LinkedIn will help you achieve great success in 2023.

SPECIAL OFFER

If you'd like me to help you formulate your 2023 LinkedIn plan, sign up for one of the four to six personal sessions I fit into my schedule each week. These consultations are specially priced at $197. Book your time here.

I will share my computer screen with you during the call and send you a marked-up copy of your profile prior to the call.