How to stand out on LinkedIn

If you have spent more than a month on this platform, you would know how much creators talk about the importance of having a good profile. It cannot even be overemphasized. It is your digital CV in this age.

Who knows, your profile might be the only wedge between you and your next big opportunity here. Let's fix that.

Whether you're here for gigs, employment, hiring or sales, a good profile puts you above your competitors and gives you credibility.

Your profile should communicate the Value you offer.

Little wonder people pay so much to revive their profiles; because it is your personal sales page.

My highest-paying gig pulled through because the client was impressed with my profile. I have many times also received messages like

Hi Ella, Your profile looks great. I love connecting with high-quality individuals. Let's get on a call on Saturday, I'm curious about how we can collaborate together.

Hello Ella, I stumbled on your profile and am so impressed with your background and experience. I would love to connect as I look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship.

Hello Ella, Thanks for connecting. Are you available to chat? I want to run an opportunity past you. (This turned out to be a great deal).

I have so much more but hey, this is about you. I would encourage you to stay with me and use these tips to stand out.

First, Let's start with your Linkedin banner

Many people do not pay attention to this, but this tells others that you are an intentional LinkedIn user. It's the first thing people will see on your profile, so why not make it memorable and catchy?

Do not crowd your banner with contact details, or USP. Too many words or colours turn people off. Ask a simple question or make a simple quote/statement that resonates with your brand. (You are the brand!).

Your Name

I see a lot of funny names on my timeline and I'm not sure what your reasons are. As much as Linkedin is diversifying into a community building platform, It is first and foremost, a professional platform.

I need to highlight that your real name should come first before your surname. If you have it the other way, please change it. Also, I know you like to hype yourself. (Ain't nothing wrong with that) But that is what your headline is for. Not your name space.

You're a copywriting badass or LinkedIn guru... Great! put that in your head line or is that your name on your CV? Oh? You think that will help you to be discovered faster on search? This is not Instagram darling, here, your headline is as powerful as your name. That's why they always appear together.

Bonus tip: Please do not write your name in all Caps. You make it difficult to read. If you have a foreign name that could be easily mispronounced, do well to add a voice pronunciation.

Okay, Moving on, Your Headline

This is the summary of all you are. You better deliver on this one. As a general rule, something I find direct is: Job title and USP. Either one can come first but a reader should be able to know what you do, who you service and in what capacity you do that.

My current headline reads: Copywriter & social media marketer. Helping tech founders and luxury brand owners build ready consumers and sell through power writing and tailored marketing.

If I change my Job title to Data Analyst for instance, that changes the capacity in which I can deliver my USP. And this works for everyone - Busniess owners, corporate leaders, 9-5 workers or freelancers.

"About me"

(I'm trying to make this a short read, but there is so much to cover.)

Treat this as your cover letter. What you couldn't do in the headline, explore here. Mention your accomplishments and what you did to get there. One strategy that always work is, follow any of these copywriting formula to draft a compelling "about me". Obviously, this is the body of your sales page.

There are: Hook-Pain-Agitate-Solution (Suitable for freelancers)

State the problem-promise-proof-proposal (Suitable for business owners and freelancers)

Qualify-Understand-Educate-stimulate-Transition (suitable for job seekers and 9-5 workers seeking better positions. (If you want to understand any of these better, ask in the comments.)

Experience

Long read huh? Let's keep this part short. You did the work. How hard is it to describe or articulate it? Please, please Please, Do not leave this space blank. For corporate workers, it's easy. Just go through your job description at work write out the major ones on LinkedIn. Make sure you highlight your skills also.

Lastly for today, Endorsements and recommendations.

Save me the words I'd use in elaborating the importance of these two sections. Go to a top creator's profile and see how endorsed and recommended he/she is. How does that make you feel about the person? You have your answer right there.

And then, there is Education,Volunteering, Publications, Awards and lots more.

Why are all those spaces empty? You do not know what to write?

That is where I come in. I craft irresistible profiles that will position you to attract your target audience. I see your profile as your sales page and I will write it as such- bringing you leads, more than you can imagine.

Feel free to use these tips or send me a DM and be on your way to standing out on LinkedIn.

Do not forget to share this with a friend who has been struggling with his/her profile.

Like the post and tell me which of these tips you found insightful.

Until next time, write well!