Be Effective on LinkedIn by Getting Back to Basics

#TheLinkedInGuru?Gazette #GuruGoodNews LinkedIn Tip of the Week: Be Effective on LinkedIn by Getting Back to Basics.

Hello again everyone and welcome to the 30th edition of?#TheLinkedInGuru?Gazette! I never thought when I started in August 2020 that I would be doing this for over three years!

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Introduction

For those who know me, I have done many of these Newsletters by collaborating with other members of my LinkedIn TRIBE (Together Really Is Better For Everyone).

I have the great honor of collaborating for a second time with a fantastic person on this edition - Gillian Whitney !

Gillian and I have done over a dozen different LinkedIn LIVES together and after the last one she suggested that we repurpose some of the content into Newsletter format.

I said "What a GREAT idea"! So without further ado, please go check out this edition's guest author - Gillian Whitney !

The Importance of Getting the Basics Right

During a recent LinkedIn Live, Jeff Young (aka The LinkedIn Guru), and I discussed the importance of mastering LinkedIn basics before upgrading to a premium account. We both believe that many people rush to pay for premium features without taking the time to optimize their profile – which costs you nothing.

Having a complete profile is crucial, as LinkedIn statistics show that users with complete profiles are 40 times more likely to be found in search.

Jeff emphasizes that getting the basics right is important not just for new users, but also for those who’ve been on LinkedIn for a long time. Many people are unaware that aspects of their profile may have become outdated.

Optimizing Location and Industry

The first basic that Jeff recommends is optimizing your location and industry. For location, he suggests using a broader metropolitan area rather than just a city, to capture a wider potential audience.

Jeff cautions against using too broad of a location like "United States" which could create distrust. The goal is to be specific enough while also encompassing a large area. He also notes that LinkedIn only allows one location to be selected. For job seekers, the best option typically is the city you want to work in, even if you don't currently live there.

The industry you select must also match closely with your specific industry to aid in relevant searches. It is also extremely important to select an industry from the dropdown list that matches LinkedIn's "Market Value Titles".

Both location and industry have a large impact on how easily you can be found.

What’s Your Position?

The next basic is being sure to include a current position. Jeff recommends including a current position, even if you’re unemployed, to represent your current activity. Doing so helps your profile come across as complete.

For education, any information is better than leaving it blank. If you are still in school, then simply include your anticipated degree and graduation date.

Get the Picture

Jeff also talks about the need for having a professional profile photo, with some best practices. Photos should be clear headshots of just the user, with a friendly smile. While some folks on LinkedIn have experimented with AI-generated photos, it’s important to note that most users prefer an authentic photo.

While not technically required for LinkedIn’s basic profile completion, Jeff recommends optimizing your headline with relevant keywords. This field, along with the photo, follows you everywhere on LinkedIn.

Who Do You Know?

Having at least 50 connections helps establish a minimum network. While no longer an official requirement, building connections is important for networking purposes. It’s best to focus on quality over quantity here.

Let Your Skills Shine

Jeff stresses the importance of optimizing the skills section of your LinkedIn profile. He advises including at least the minimum number of skills, choosing relevant, marketable options from LinkedIn's dropdown list and reordering your skills to feature the top two most prominently, as only two display by default.

Adding targeted skills allows for endorsements from connections, which helps boost your profile. While 50 skills can be listed, focus on the most important ones that pertain to your work and goals.

Getting to Know You

Jeff?recommends optimizing your About section by fully utilizing the 2,600 character limit and including relevant keywords to improve discoverability. He suggests writing your summary in first person to describe the value you provide to your target audience, rather than copying your resume. Don’t use third person, unless there is a specific reason like including your speaker bio.

Review and Optimize Regularly

In conclusion, Jeff emphasizes that getting the basics right through filling out core fields is the first step. But it’s important to review and optimize your profile on a regular basis.

LinkedIn is constantly changing, and sections previously optimized may need to be updated again and again. Taking the time to fully complete and refine the basics of your profile can help lead to having a more discoverable presence on LinkedIn.

Summary

?? If you’re interested in watching the entire 30 minute LinkedIn Live, here’s the replay:

So there you have it. That's a wrap on another edition of?#TheLinkedInGuru?Gazette!

Didn't Gillian do a fantastic job of breaking this down into bite-sized chunks and explaining it "easy peasy" (Gillian's brand) and concise words?

Thank you for organizing all this great information, Gillian!

As always, I appreciate any feedback you may want to give and urge you to please share these tips with your network.

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