LinkedIn now has over 700 million people registered. It can be an effective tool for digital marketing, but it is also great for building communities and gaining relationships with people in similar industries. I have been using LinkedIn for a number of years now (and gained expert training), which is allowing me to share my knowledge with you. The following are five things to consider when creating your LinkedIn profile:
1) Add a branded header and a professional image
When another individual or company visits your profile, the first thing they’ll see is your header and image. It’s important to ensure these are clear, professional and on-brand. My cover photo is branded to Digital Advantage, and however, if you are an individual who’s looking for a job, or working for yourself, then you could use a simple, quality headshot or something that interests you. LinkedIn is different to other social media platforms, and I would recommend using single headshots as opposed to group photos. If you don’t have something you feel represents you and who you are, you could leave your cover photo blank.
2) Write your ‘headline’
Your headline should be around one line of text maximum and is extremely important to get right. Not only is it always visible on your profile under your name, but it also appears when you comment on other posts as well as when you request to connect to people. Your headline should be sharp and to the point – it could be something about you or your role. I would suggest avoiding just listing your job role here as it doesn’t define what sector you’re in and is way too robotic. You only have 120 characters for your headline, so make them count! If you don’t currently have a role and you are searching for one, mention that here.
3) Create your summary
A LinkedIn summary gives you the ability to write a little more information about yourself and allows your fellow connections to learn about who you are and what you do. The summary should be split into three separate paragraphs. The first paragraph is specific to you and your current role. The second paragraph is about your business, explaining what it is and what you do. Finally, the last paragraph is more personal; talk about your hobbies and interests or perhaps something you’re really passionate about. In the summary, you have a 2000-character limit, so you have the opportunity for other connections to really understand you and your business here. If you don’t currently have a role, expand on yourself a bit more, what you like to do, and what you are looking for.
4) Add your previous experience
With us currently living in a global pandemic, many would have sadly lost their jobs. Updating your previous job titles and giving information about your previous roles will help those hiring understand if you would be a suitable fit for their company. You have the opportunity to be descriptive here and can also get ex-staff/managers to leave you a recommendation, which, if positive, will help your chances of securing that new position. You can also add any courses you've undertaken and also your education history. Shout about yourself here, and be proud of what you've achieved. If you are just starting out and looking for a job, don't worry; just make sure to add the skills you can offer. You have to begin somewhere.
5) Get connecting!
Connecting with others on LinkedIn is a two-way process. You will need to send an invitation to connect and then wait for your contact to accept or ignore your invitation. Once connected, you will gain access to one another’s profile and can also message them directly. When you connect with someone, it is important that you don’t just click ‘Send now’ but you ‘Add a note’ and write a personalised message stating why you want to connect. It may be as simple as, ‘I’ve seen your posts on my feed before, and I love your content’, but that’s a lot more appealing than just a blank invite.
LinkedIn is a really positive platform which gives you the opportunity to connect with some talented people in your industry. There is also some excellent information circulating on there, allowing you to learn something new, no matter what industry you’re in. If you're looking for a job, LinkedIn is also great for that; many companies advertise their open roles on this platform. For any questions in relation to this blog, email dom.digitaladvantage@gmail.com