How to Succeed With Your LinkedIn Profile

Have you given much thought to your LinkedIn profile?

If my random LinkedIn survey is accurate, many people post a resume, heavy on accomplishments, light on the benefits they offer.

They forget that LinkedIn is a 24/7 sales vehicle for you.

Instead of having a conversation with the reader, they're screaming how great they are, listing every accomplishment under the sun. Even their mother would frown.

Alternatively, they adopt a resume or job application tone, writing in the third person, which destroys the immediacy of LinkedIn.

Is this engaging?

"Sarah Smith is a recent graduate from CUNY City College with a BA in Political Science and Psychology interested in people’s choices and the power they build in themselves and the communities around them. Having worked with government agencies and nonprofits, Smith has keen insights in how to make the work resound with key stakeholders and leverage resources for the next best project."

Unless you're trying to put people to sleep on LinkedIn, write in the first person.

Let's start from the top.

LinkedIn Banner. Don't use the default grayish blue LinkedIn banner that is as enticing as moldy bread.

Alternatively, don't go the other way, using a pretty sunset or sailboat for your banner. Neither says how you can help me, unless of course you're a sailor.

Takeaway: Speak to your audience, not yourself. How can you help someone? What problem or challenges do you solve?

Headline. Don't just add your title and company name and leave it at that. What do you accomplish? What do you achieve?

Let me show you what I mean.

Here is a headline I created for a client:

Product Leader in digital transformation and machine learning | Launched and managed digital platforms for (and listed the names of major companies he worked for), driving multi-million dollar revenue growth.

About Section. If you're a coach or consultant or other small business owner, begin by talking about what you can do for others, how you help and who you help.

If you're seeking a new job, explain what you can accomplish. Here is the beginning of the about section for one of my clients:

?I help financial services, technology and media companies drive business growth through digital product management and cross-functional leadership.

Working for major brands such as (and listed the names), I've launched and managed digital platforms, driving multi-million dollars in incremental revenue.

Enliven your About section with a few brief success stories. And include a call to action so people know what to do next.

Experience. Don't just list your work history like a soporific resume. Show your accomplishments. Don't forget to list your skills (LinkedIn lets you select your skills) under each position.

As an experienced professional, don't list your first job out of college. No one cares that were an assistant account executive way back when. What matters is what you can do now.

Recommendations. Who would hire someone with no recommendations? And don't be satisfied with ones that are so old they smell. Have up-to-date recommendations. And be sure to recommend people. Who wants to work with someone who doesn't endorse others?

Lastly, don't use empty words. Who isn't results-oriented, motivated or insightful? Distinguish yourself by your choice of words.

Your LinkedIn profile is your free advertisement for yourself. Don't let it moulder. Refresh it as needed. And let it shine.

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I help small business owners, including coaches and consultants, nail their messaging, branding and marketing to grow their business. Schedule a?free Power Positioning call with me.