Edition #001 - How to update your LinkedIn profile to attract more business opportunities in 2024

In all honesty, when was the last time you updated your LinkedIn profile?

Updating your LinkedIn profile isn't just about adding your new position and your latest working experience on your profile.

Having a standout LinkedIn profile is essential for attracting business opportunities, especially for founders and CXOs.

If you haven't done anything to your profile in the last 6 months, this guide is for you.

Here are 8 practical steps to enhance your profile and make it more appealing to potential clients, partners and investors.

1. Optimise your profile picture and banner

First impressions matter.

Ensure you have a high-quality, professional headshot that reflects your industry. Dress in "casual business" attire to convey professionalism.

Also, use a custom branded banner that highlights your brand or industry.

This could be your company’s logo, a professional background, or an image that reflects your business focus. You can do it on Canva for free.

2. Craft a compelling headline

Your headline is one of the first things people see on your profile. Make it more than just your job title. Highlight your expertise, value proposition, and target audience.

For example:

• Current: “Founder {YXZ Company}”
• Updated: “Empowering B2B SaaS Startups with Innovative Marketing Strategies | Founder & CEO of YXZ Company | Helping CXOs Scale with Effective Content Marketing”

3. Revise your summary (About Section)

Your summary should tell a compelling story about who you are, what you do, and why you do it. Here’s an example I could be using :

As the Founder and CEO of The T Break, a Lisbon-based creative agency, I specialise in empowering B2B SaaS startups with innovative marketing strategies. With a robust background in management and marketing, and an MBA, I use my diverse experiences and professional expertise to drive business growth for my clients.

My journey from an overworked young professional in Paris to a successful entrepreneur in Portugal has equipped me with unique insights into the challenges faced by start-up founders and CXOs. I am passionate about helping businesses scale through effective content marketing, personal branding, and strategic digital initiatives.

Let’s connect if you’re looking for creative solutions, insightful marketing strategies, or a partnership to help your business thrive.

        

4. Showcase your experience

Detail your current and past roles with a focus on responsibilities and achievements. Emphasise the impact you’ve made and quantify your success where possible.

Example:

**Founder & CEO, The T Break**
Lisbon, Portugal | May 2021 – Present
- Founded a creative agency specialising in B2B SaaS content marketing, branding, and digital strategy.
- Increased client engagement by 40% through tailored marketing campaigns.
- Mentored over 20 SaaS founders, helping them scale their businesses and achieve their growth goals.

**Marketing Manager, [Previous Company]**
Paris, France | Jan 2015 – Apr 2021
- Led the marketing team in developing and executing digital marketing strategies for B2B clients.
- Increased lead generation by 50% through innovative content marketing initiatives.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align marketing efforts with business objectives.

        

5. Highlight your skills

Add relevant skills that can be endorsed by your network. Don't hesitate to ask colleagues and clients to endorse those skills.

Skills you might include:

Business-to-business (B2B)

Software as a service (SaaS)

Risk Assessment

Leadership

Team Management

Fundraising

etc.

6. Collect recommendations

Request recommendations from colleagues, clients and mentors who can vouch for your skills and professionalism. It adds credibility to your profile.

How to ask someone from your LinkedIn network to give you a recommendation in 4 clicks:

1. Click on the pencil on the top right corner of the recommendation section
2. Click "Ask for a recommendation"
3. Enter the name of the person you want a recommendation from (you have to be 1st degree connections). Click continue.

4. Modify the message if necessary and click send.

7. Update your contact information

Make sure your contact information is up-to-date. Include links to your website, blog and other social media profiles.

Here is how you do it on your LinkedIn.

Step 1: Click on the pencil in the top right corner of your profile.

Step 2: Scroll down to "Contact info" and click on "Edit contact info"

8. Use relevant keywords

Incorporate industry-specific keywords throughout your profile to improve searchability. Use terms that potential clients or partners might search for.

Here are my 2 secret hacks to find relevant keywords on LinkedIn for free:

Hack 1: Discover LinkedIn Industry Keyword suggestion

Click on the following link.

It will lead you to hashtags that people in your industry are using.

Hence why it is essential to have an up-to-date profile so that LinkedIn can give you relevant keyword suggestions.

Hack 2: Find more keywords based on your keyword input

Enter a keyword in the search bar. Here I typed in "SaaS".

Then filter by "posts" and "top match".

Scroll and check hashtags used by creators on the different posts.

Here I find the hashtag #cloudcomputing interesting. So I click on it.

It leads me to this page where I can see how many people are following this hashtag and which posts got the most engagement.

Here #cloudcomputing is followed by over 3 million people which means that it is a popular topic likely to be seen by your ideal client if you post about it.

And that's it.

Less than 1% of LinkedIn users are following these steps.

Doing so will put you ahead of the curve.

Take 20 minutes of your time today to create a LinkedIn profile that not only showcases your professional journey but also attracts potential business opportunities in the B2B and executive space.

Any questions regarding this topic? Ask below.

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Adama