Optimising Your LinkedIn Profile to Get You onto Page 1 of Google

A little known fact is that Google LOVES LinkedIn.? And most people only dream of getting onto Page 1 of Google without paying for ads. I am going to walk you through how you can significantly increase your chances of getting onto page one of Google and also high up in LinkedIn searches to increase the number of inbound leads you get -? for free!

Let's jump right in!

This subject is close to my heart: LinkedIn profiles and how they can work wonders for your visibility. Did you know that Google loves LinkedIn? Most people only dream of getting onto Page 1 of Google without paying for ads, but with a fully optimised LinkedIn profile, it’s entirely possible.?

And the best part? It’s free.

These tips will also help you attract more inbound leads—your perfect prospects—straight to your profile.

Why Your LinkedIn Profile is a Game-Changer.

Here’s the thing: LinkedIn isn’t just a social media platform. It’s a search engine. And when you optimise your profile, you’re not only boosting your chances of appearing in LinkedIn search results but also increasing your visibility on Google. That’s a double win!

The majority of professionals on LinkedIn—when they’re ready to buy—will go straight to the first person who gives them a significant shift in insight. So, don’t waste your LinkedIn profile, especially the About section, talking endlessly about yourself or your company. Instead, focus on dropping those value bombs,?so visitors to your profile can learn something important to them.?

Drop those “aha!” moments, those golden nuggets of wisdom, so visitors leave your profile thinking, Wow, this person really knows their stuff! Prove your competence, show your personality, and make it crystal clear how you can help them.

Don’t Treat Your LinkedIn Profile Like a CV/Resume.

Let’s get one thing straight: your LinkedIn profile isn’t your CV or resume. It’s more of a sales page. Its job is to motivate people to take the next step—whether that’s connecting with you, booking a call, or visiting your website. So, let’s make every section count and your words work hard.

Profiles with 100% completeness rank higher in searches - an All Star profile!. LinkedIn loves a fully fleshed-out profile, and so does Google. Here’s how to ensure every section is optimised:

Customise Your URL

Your LinkedIn URL is a small but mighty detail. Make sure it’s customised to include your name (e.g., linkedin.com/in/traceyburnett). If your name is already taken, add “the” to the beginning, like “thetraceyburnett.” This minor tweak helps with SEO and makes you easier to find.

The Banner

Your banner is prime real estate, so don’t waste it on boring corporate images, your logo or your last holiday pic. Instead, use it to grab attention. You could:

???State the results your prospects are looking for. For example, mine says, “Get more leads, win more pitches.”

???Ask a question that resonates with your audience. Something like, “Feeling undervalued, bored, and burnt out? Ready to get what you really want in your career?” If they say yes, they’ll keep reading. If not, they’re not your ideal prospect anyway.

???You could use it to promote a book you have just published, a special offer, an event you are running.? Some people change their banner regularly, especially if they have a lot to promote.

???Have you heard of LinkedIn’s new rotating banner feature?? You can add up to 5 banner images.? They rotate pretty fast, so it's best not to add too much text to each banner.?

Say cheese!

Your profile photo is the first impression people get of you, so make it count. Use a recent, professional headshot—no pets, wine/beer glasses, or distractions. Make sure it is representative of your brand. ?If your brand is creative, reflect that. For example, if you design hats, wear one in your photo!

What You Can Do For Me? Craft a Winning Headline

Your headline, the text under your name, is one of the most visible parts of your profile. It appears in LinkedIn search results, posts, comments, and more. You’ve got 220 characters to play with, so make each one count! Here’s how:

???Use simple, keyword-rich language that clearly communicates what you offer, who you help, and why you’re the best choice.

???Focus on the first 5-7 words, as these are the most visible in a search list and when you appear in the newsfeed.

???Don’t repeat what’s in your banner—use this space to add more context and value to what you have written in the banner.

I Like the Look of You So Make It Easy For Me To Get in Touch!

I am talking about the ‘Contact Info’ section.? This is a real bug bear to me!

I am assuming that we are on LinkedIn because we want people to contact us. Right?

So many people do not add an email address, a phone number, or even a website link.

I also include my calendar link.?

Have a look at yours today.

For the record, I have my phone number and email address on this section and have never had it abused.

Leverage the Custom Button for More Leads?

LinkedIn now allows you to add a custom button to your profile. Use this to take visitors to a lead magnet, landing page, blog, website or even a booking link. It’s a simple but effective way to generate leads.

Get Prospects Excited! - Optimise Your About Section

The “About” section is great to really draw interested prospects to your web.

"Will you walk into my parlour?" said a spider to a fly; Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy………"

Use the first few lines to hook your reader and make them want to click “see more.” Here’s what to include:

???Why you’re the perfect match for their needs. Make sure that you are 100% sure what they need, challenges, pain points, concern are

???How you can support your prospects.?

???Why you’re different.?

???How you work with clients.

???A clear call-to-action (CTA).

???You could add a testimonial.

Or you could tell a story.

You have? 2600 characters to use.

Make it easy to read by spacing out text and using bullet points. You can bring in external fonts, symbols and emojis (Unicode characters), but bear in mind that while most browsers and devices will display them correctly,? older systems or less common platforms might not.? LinkedIn’s search algorithm might not recognise special fonts as standard text, which might ruin the communication value of your text.

Consider if the use of emojis, etc, are on brand. My UX friends will not like the inclusion of these either!?

Show Prospects What You You Offer -? They Are More Likely to Contact You!

This is another step in the prospect's journey through your profile.? They like what they have read so far, and that motivates them to click the link to take them to the Services page.

The Services section is another opportunity for people interested in working with you a chance to see exactly what you do. Add an image, a link and a few lines of text to describe each service you offer.?

You can also include a short general summary of your services.?

Make sure the visuals and descriptions are compelling and on brand. This helps with the click-throughs to the Services page.

Lead Gen On Steroids - Use the Featured Section Wisely

The Featured section is perfect for showcasing your best content. You can add posts, articles, links, presentations, and more. I use mine for lead generation, featuring my newsletter, quizzes, and calendar booking links. Remember, only the first three items are visible, so choose strategically.

Optimise the Experience Section

Your Experience section isn’t just a timeline of your career—it’s another chance to boost your SEO. Use keywords and phrases that your ideal clients might search for. Do some research if you need to.

Each role gives you up to 2600 characters, so you don’t need to hold back!?

Build on the information in your About section, don’t repeat it!

Space out the text and use bullet points to make it easy to read.

Pro tip: If you have a LinkedIn Company Page, make sure the company name in your Experience section matches exactly. This will pull through your company logo, which is hyperlinked to your page.

Social Proof - Most Important!

Recommendations are like the icing on your LinkedIn cake.?

Focus on gathering recommendations. I am sure that you have a wealth of testimonials that have come via email, verbally etc. so make a list and send a LinkedIn DM to those people who gave them and ask them to add it to LinkedIn.

Social proof is vital, so reach out to colleagues, clients, bosses, and even suppliers. Don’t forget to reciprocate.? Or start by giving testimonials - you often get them back in return.

A Hack for the Education Section

Here’s a little hack: Use the top entry in your Education section as a sales piece. The text you add in the “School” field will appear at the very top of your profile under your banner, giving you another opportunity to include a clickable link - to a lead magnet or your website.

So what’s the bottom line?

Your LinkedIn profile is one of the most powerful tools in your marketing arsenal. By optimising every section, you’re not just increasing your chances of getting onto Page 1 of Google, and LinkedIn search, you’re creating a profile that attracts your perfect prospects and motivates them to take action.

What’s your next step? Go through your profile with a fine-toothed comb and start implementing these changes. It might take some time, but the results will be worth it. And remember, your LinkedIn profile isn’t static—it’s a living, breathing representation of your personal brand and a lead generator for your business.

?Keep it updated, keep it optimised, and watch the leads roll in.

If you would like me to review your profile, contact me via DMs!