Optimize your LinkedIn Profile to Help with your Networking
Today someone mentioned to me that they didn’t see the value of having a LinkedIn profile. I can understand their perspective, as I used to feel the same way. Back then, I was more focused on my Facebook profile, as I was using social media to sell locally. Facebook is great for B2C and local area networking, but not necessarily for professional networking and the B2B marketplace.
It wasn’t until I took a leap of faith and left my job of 20 years at Trader Joe’s to pursue my dream of becoming a professional writer that I realized the importance of LinkedIn. After 33 years of working for others, I had built a wealth of professional experience and connections, but I had never used online networking platforms to leverage my background.
I quickly realized the value of having a LinkedIn profile after I moved to Florida. I wanted to reach potential customers from all over the world. But, to my surprise, I found that I had no information about how to make my profile work for me. That’s when I called a company that writes LinkedIn profiles and bought their premium package. I was interviewed by Donna Serdula, the owner of the company, and she was impressed by my background. Soon after, she hired me to write LinkedIn profiles and, within a couple of years, I had written over 300 of them.
If you’re someone who is unsure about the value of LinkedIn, I would encourage you to take the time to set up your profile the right way. To help you, I highly recommend getting a copy of a book that will guide you through the process. Investing in your LinkedIn profile can be a game-changer for your professional growth and networking.
What’s Important in a LinkedIn Profile?
Read my book, Focus on LinkedIn, to gain a full understanding of what is important in a profile. There is an art and a science to understand what to include, and almost as important, what to exclude from your online professional presence. If you don’t have the time, I’d be happy to optimize your profile for you. Click here to find out how.
Briefly, though, LinkedIn is a search engine, and even more importantly, other search applications such as Google index LinkedIn profiles. Many of the on-page SEO techniques that you use for web sites and blogs also apply to LinkedIn profiles. Additionally, all the mistakes that can cause a web site or blog to be classified as “spam” equally apply.
What does this mean? Be honest and truthful in what you write about yourself. Not only does this make a better impression with potential employers, but it will find you better qualified positions and work.
Additionally, don’t spam. Don’t send connection requests to people you don’t know, unless they make it clear in their profile that they want unsolicited connection requests. LinkedIn is not very forgiving about spammers, so don’t get caught up in that or you’ll find yourself with reduced capabilities or even banned.
What Does an Optimized LinkedIn Profile Do for You?
An up-to-date, accurate, and honest LinkedIn profile allows prospective employers and businesspeople to find you online. It helps separate you from the millions of other people on the web. The better job you do in creating your LinkedIn presence, the more luck you are going to have at getting contacted by the right people.
Conversely, if you have a poorly written LinkedIn profile, it shows you don’t understand how to use one of the most important resources available for a business professional. It also reduces your opportunities because the right people won’t find your profile, and when they do, they won’t see a reason to connect.
These days, being internet and network savvy is critical to survival. Create a beautiful, accurate, and on-target profile and you demonstrate you value contacts and understand how to network online.
Richard is the Owner and Senior Writer for The Writing King, a bestselling author, and ghostwriter. He’s written and published 63 books, ghostwritten 40+ books, as well as hundreds of blog articles.
