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According to LinkedIn, the platform has 800 million members in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. It is home for decision makers, executives, entrepreneurs and employers to network, collaborate, recruit and exchange their thought leaders in a specific industry or field.
But did you know that typically when someone performs an online search for someone, their LinkedIn profile will show up as the first online link in those search results, or as the top five links on the first page of those results? This simply means that your LinkedIn profile page could be the first and last impression someone – a potential client, investor, employer, mentor or friend – might have of your personal brand.
You may already have a LinkedIn Page, but you may still only be using it as a placeholder for your online resume, which may include an updated profile picture, headline, or even an updated work experience. This simple link could put your brand at risk if you don’t optimize all the features of the platform and update your content to make your brand stand out.
It’s important to remember that your name is already popping up every day, without you even realizing it, in searches within LinkedIn for individuals and companies looking for people with your skills, abilities, education, and expertise. Since LinkedIn is the platform for professionals, you should use the platform to promote your personal and professional brand.
Here are seven ways you can use your LinkedIn profile page like your own personal brand website to help strengthen your personal brand.
1. Update your stuff
This is the first and most important step. You need to update the existing content on your page because it should be an accurate representation of your brand today, not three years ago:
- This means updating your profile photo to look like who you are today. Get a professional headshot with a clean background or use your brand color.
- Add a background photo. This can be a call to action, a list of your services, or your website.
- Update your headline. Don’t just provide your job title—tell people what you do, how you do it, and for whom.
- Activate the creator mode – add your most important focus topics and expertise
Related: How to Quickly Update Your LinkedIn Profile
2. Add a welcome video or voice recording introduction
Yes, you can now add a video to your profile picture and you can also record an audio greeting to be seen on your profile page. This way someone can meet you virtually, get a sense of who you are and what to expect on your side.
3. Use featured posts
When you start sharing content on LinkedIn, you can turn your posts into “recommended” posts, which allows specific posts to appear on your profile page. If you post content that provides valuable information or demonstrates your thought leadership, present it in a way that anyone who first comes across your site can access.
4. View your value in the About section
Don’t just list your expertise and credentials in this section. Use the About section for potential viewers to learn more about you. Show how you add value and how you help your ideal audience. I also recommend adding your website links and direct contact information in this section.
Related: Who Are LinkedIn Content Creators?
5. Maximize your experience
LinkedIn allows you to add supporting media files to your experience. This can come in the form of videos, images, podcast episodes, certifications, case studies, presentations, etc. – you can add anything that can provide social proof of the work you did during your experience.
6. Create a newsletter
A great and relatively new feature in LinkedIn is the ability to create your own subscription-based newsletter on the platform. Choose your focus and start creating a weekly or monthly newsletter to share with your existing followers and subscribers. This also helps you become a thought leader and get discovered by other members on the platform.
7. Ask for recommendations
LinkedIn makes it easy to solicit recommendations from other users of the platform who have experience working with you. Reach out to past clients who have had a great experience working with you and request a recommendation. You should also make recommendations – after all, it’s a community.
With these seven steps, you can start feeling more confident about your online brand and using your brand across the LinkedIn network. But more importantly, you will know that searching online now provides updated and accurate information about you and your brand to attract the right people, brands and companies to your profile.
Related: 7 Ways You Can Use LinkedIn to Blast Your Brand
