7 Tips For Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile

The crisis of originality is quite a big deal nowadays. While the internet provides many opportunities for creativity, it also means that if you want to stand out, you have to work non-stop on your image, style, and self-presentation. 

LinkedIn is not an exception. This social platform attracts numerous potential prospects while giving you the tools for making those prospects come to you and join your network. However, with so many #influencers around, how do you turn your profile into a successful #leadgeneration channel? Do you need to run elaborate campaigns or invest a fortune in exclusive content? Do you have to be a trailblazer? 

The answer is somewhere in-between. You don’t have to be a pioneer in your area but at the same time, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t actively explore the ways of distinguishing yourself from the rest. I’m not talking about content here. Before you start thinking about your content strategy, you should take care of the basics — your LinkedIn profile. 

There are at least 7 things you can do with it to increase your LinkedIn presence and become more visible to your potential prospects. Let’s go through them, one by one. 

1. Take care of the details 

Many users tend to skip the part with profile customization. But your LinkedIn profile is the first thing your potential followers check after coming across your post. The more information they can learn in one go, the better it is for you. In the time, when all the data is delivered in seconds, people are not used to waiting or having to search for details. Especially, when they are on a social media platform, a space that is supposed to be about sharing data and insights. So, if your profile is in a private mode and doesn’t have a photo (a clean headshot with a nice smile), doesn't talk about your prospect's pain points and how you solve them, lacking social proof and credentials...how are you going to convince your audience that you have anything of value?

Therefore, before you build connections, you must build your image. 

2.  Customize your URL 

When you create a profile on LinkedIn, it comes with a generic URL. However, when you make your profile public, you get the option to change the name of your URL, making it more personalized. For example — linkedin.com/janedoeCEO. 

Why should you customize your URL? 

• To shape your brand. A link that tells your name and the title is a lot more informative than a random string of numbers.
• To increase SEO visibility. Your LinkedIn page has more chances of appearing on the first page of search results. 
• To create a professional vibe. The devil is in the details. A professional who takes care of every little aspect of their profile makes an incredibly positive impression on potential followers. 

3. Create a concise description 

It’s another element that defines how many users will become your followers after viewing your profile. Your headline and summary are perfect for establishing who you are, what you do, and why they should do business with you. But to unleash their #lead-generating potential, you have to remember about three don’ts: 

1. Don’t be too poetic. Creative and original summaries are pleasant to read but if you get over the board with semantics and don’t provide any substance about their pain points or social proof, your prospects won’t be motivated to stick around. 
2. Don’t be all over the place. Your summary should be concise and insightful, describing the benefits of working with you. I suggest focusing on your professional victories and discoveries rather than adding small personal-life tidbits such as “an avid football fan” or “love to pet cats in my free time”. This information may seem cute but people come to LinkedIn to discuss business areas, not football. 
3. Don’t be boring. If you want to become a LinkedIn influencer, you probably have an idea of what your followers want to ask. So, instead of providing generic details, mention subjects you specialize in, subtly inviting your followers to a conversation. 

4. Add presentations 

Since users prefer viewing to reading, creating a colorful presentation that shares some of your insights or reports on your success in your area is a great way to inject value into your LinkedIn profile and attract more followers. 

You can use SlideShare presentations for showcasing your portfolio, breaking an interesting case down or just exploring a relevant topic in a comprehensible way. Generally, whenever you feel that the subject you’re going to talk about is too complicated, visuals become your life-saver. 

5. Be a participant

Your activity on LinkedIn speaks volumes of you. If you distance yourself from LinkedIn communities and groups, you miss an opportunity to grow your authority and show your expertise. Mind that your public LinkedIn profile shows all the groups you join. Therefore, even if your prospects find out that you’re a fellow group member, they would be more likely to become your followers. 

6. Include a company page

If your company has a LinkedIn profile, adding a link to it is a must. Your audience should know that you don’t exist in a vacuum and that your insights come from experience. Adding links to all the projects you have worked on is also important since it highlights your input into the industry. 

7. Show recommendations 

Nowadays, professionals trust recommendations from other professionals more than they trust random ads. So, make sure to establish with your fellow experts and clients, and don’t hesitate to ask for a recommendation. When your LinkedIn features positive feedback from qualified experts and existing companies, your viewers grow more interested in the insights you have to offer. Of course, it means that you should return the favor and provide recommendations to the users that agreed to write a recommendation.

How to make your LinkedIn profile attract numerous potential prospects? Feel free to reach out to me and I'll help you.