5 Tips to Level Up Your Professional Brand on LinkedIn

Building your online professional brand on platforms like LinkedIn is a powerful way to advance your career and business interests. It’s an opportunity to position yourself,? highlight your strengths, and attract the relevant network from the comfort of your device.

In my career I’ve seen how investing in your online brand not only impacts how potential employers and associates see you, but it can also help position you in your current organisation - trust me, someone is always watching. So, make sure you are maximising your online platforms to aid you in your career and network growth.?

Here are 5 tips you can apply to improve your LinkedIn profile:?

1. Establish your goals for the platform

This is an important step because the goals you establish for your profile will inform your content and guide your engagements. Your goals will help you make the most of the platform because nothing you do will be random but strategic and intentional.

2. Select an appropriate profile picture?

Your LinkedIn profile picture is part of the first impression you make. It is important to select the right picture for the platform that reflects who you are in a professional manner. Save the selfies and sunnies for your Instagram feed. Earlier this year I shared tips on things to avoid when choosing a LinkedIn profile picture.

3. Tell your story?

Don’t shy away from sharing relevant personal experiences along with your professional ones. This will make your content authentic and relatable. One of the best ways to do this on LinkedIn is in your ‘About’ and ‘Experiences’ sections where you can take the reader on a journey instead of just bullet-pointing your way through. Your bio is also a great place to do this and to talk about your personal mission statement over and above your work experience.

4. Engage authentically

One of the best ways to build a strong network on LinkedIn is to engage with others genuinely. Quit trying to get into the inbox of every CEO or director and start identifying individuals and conversations that speak to your goals, your industry and where you want to go. This is where the real power of networking lies and fruitful relationships are built.?

5. Provide value through content

Building a strong profile also means providing value to those who follow you through content sharing. It’s all good and well to share interesting articles and other people’s posts, but you can stand out more by sharing your own thoughts, experiences and ideas. You can take it a step further by planning your content, while remembering to align it with your goals, and position yourself as a thought leader in your space.

Published in All4Youth Skills4Work Handbook

About me

Boipelo Mabe is a digital communications specialist and a highly recommended speaker and host. She has experience in broadcasting as a newsreader, content producer and political analyst. Following her reign as Miss South Africa runner up in 2017, she joined one of South Africa’s TechCos, where she currently fulfils the role of Digital Communications Manager.? She holds a BA Degree in Politics and International Relations as well as a BA Honours Degree from Wits University.

Find me on Instagram @boipelomabe | Get in touch [email protected]