LinkedIn for Business: 4 Quick Tips to Optimise Your LinkedIn Profile

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LinkedIn is a powerful tool for networking and career growth. But your LinkedIn profile is more than just an online resume. It is an opportunity to make a good first impression and an extension of your personal brand. Think of it like your digital business card.

Data suggests that 70% of recruiters and hiring managers use LinkedIn to source talent. So, whether you own your own business or are job hunting, it makes sense to set up your LinkedIn profile properly to make a strong professional impression and give yourself a competitive edge.

Here are four simple yet effective, updates you can do to your LinkedIn profile right now to make it stand out.

#1. Update your LinkedIn Banner

Aside from your photo, your LinkedIn banner is one of the first things people see when they visit your profile. A well-designed banner can set you apart from those who aren’t utilising this feature. It is your chance to show people who you are and what you do.

I recommend using your LinkedIn banner to showcase your logo and company branding. You can promote your latest eBook, award, or a particular skill set, or include a tagline or call-to-action. Depending on your profession, some people might include a quote that reflects their values, or a picture of where they live.

Whatever you decide to include as your banner, this is your opportunity to visually showcase who you are and immediately convey your expertise and professionalism to anyone who visits your profile. It’s also a great idea to update your banner a couple of times a year and if you have any big changes in your business or offerings.

If you’re stuck on what to put as your LinkedIn banner, I have included a video on how to make a profile banner with some examples and templates as part of my LinkedIn Learners Lab online course.

#2. Make your profile image stand out

A professional photo on your LinkedIn profile is essential for several reasons. It’s one of the first things people see, so it helps create a positive initial impression. A professional photo can enhance your credibility and communicate professionalism. It makes it easier for people to recognise and remember you when they meet you in person.

Some top tips to make your LinkedIn profile image stand out include:

Use a bright-coloured background.

Use a professional image.

Use a photo that is less than 3 years old.

For consistency, try and use the same image that you have used on other platforms.

#3. Set up name pronunciation

LinkedIn’s name pronunciation is a useful tool to ensure you create a positive first impression. It allows you to attach a recording to your LinkedIn profile to ensure when you meet someone face-to-face they know how to pronounce your name.

It’s a great tool for people who commonly find themselves in situations where their name is mispronounced. And helps people from different linguistic backgrounds pronounce your name correctly, promoting inclusivity.

To add name pronunciation to your profile you need to download the LinkedIn app and set it up on your phone by clicking on the pencil button on your profile.

Click on my profile and then the little speaker icon to hear what I’ve recorded for mine. (I bet you can make yours even better!)

#4. Create an eye-catching headline

Your LinkedIn headline, in my opinion, is the most important thing to set up in your profile. It is your opportunity to grab the attention of clients, potential employers, and connections and convince them to click to learn more.

Your headline is the 1-3 lines of text that come under your name that you can use to describe your role, industry experience, and expertise. It’s one of the most important fields to complete in your profile for the LinkedIn search algorithm.

Top Tip: I recommend you include keywords in your LinkedIn headline. Keywords are specific words or phrases that capture the main topics or ideas of content and are used to help people find relevant information in searches, improve SEO, and highlight essential aspects of a subject or industry.

Using specific keywords can help improve the visibility of your profile because these are words people type in a search when looking for your services. For example, instead of putting ‘Founder of Face Up Now’ I’ve put ‘LinkedIn Trainer’.

Need help setting up your profile? My LinkedIn Learners Lab DIY online course will give you the confidence to successfully grow your business. Sign up today, or get in touch to see how I can help you build your personal and professional brand on LinkedIn.