When is the last time you updated your LinkedIn profile? For that matter, when was the last time you actually looked at your own profile and read what’s there?
Tell the truth…how old is that profile pic of yours?
If you haven’t paid much attention to your LinkedIn profile, now is the time to give it a good makeover.
LinkedIn is a powerful business networking tool for coaches, consultants, and solopreneurs who are offering their services and expertise in the marketplace. If you think LinkedIn is just a stuffy old platform only used as an online resume…then think again.
LinkedIn’s Impact Has Broadened
Since the pandemic began, LinkedIn has almost doubled their users. There are now over 700,000,000 active accounts. They are the world’s largest business networking platform.
Interestingly, 92% of LinkedIn users also use YouTube, which speaks to the fact we humans like info and videos, not just one or the other.
LinkedIn is a place to make genuine connections. In fact, some say it has turned into the “Facebook of old” where professionals feel more a part of a business community.
As humans, we crave connection. To achieve business connections, professionals are flocking to LinkedIn. We are communicating not only messages about what services we offer, but also authentically talking about our workplaces, our challenges of working remotely, the dreaded tech issues, and the physical disconnect we’ve been forced into.
With LinkedIn such an opportunity for true business connection, it’s worth taking the time to review and refresh your personal profile.
Areas Where to Focus
Contact Info
Some of your contact information may be out of date.
Review, correct, update your
- Website URL (Add multiple if applicable.)
- phone number (business phone vs. personal)
- address (you may choose to leave blank for privacy or put your city and state)
- email address (replace free email, like Gmail, with company branded email)
- instant messenger (only add if you prefer being contacted by IM service)
- birthday visibility (choose your preference of who sees your birthday)
Make sure to take a look at those items, but also, take a look at your profile as if you were someone researching to hire you.
Profile/Thumbnail Image
The point of your profile or thumbnail image is to invite people to want to connect with you. Represent yourself in a professional, yet genuine way. Make sure you are smiling. This is the most approachable look and the most recommended type of photo for thumbnails. Where what you’d wear to work and avoid distracting backgrounds.
Ask yourself if your current profile image relevant and represents who you are today.
I read about a lady that had a very professional black and white corporate photo of herself as her thumbnail pic. Two months into the pandemic she felt that was ridiculous and didn’t represent her in the moment. Her business life was different. She was feeling awkward trying to balance teaching her kids at home, working from home, and still keeping the home healthy, happy, and harmonious.
She replaced her corporate photo with one of herself working from home. Her pic was an instant hit! With others struggling with similar issues, she struck a chord with many individuals by being more approachable and honest yet remaining professional. Those individual connections could lead to clients.
Intro Section
Make sure this is section is current and relevant. Often, the current position section is missed or outdated. Choose whether you prefer to show your education in your intro. Include your region and industry.
Most importantly, use the headline as a marketing tool. Avoid only putting your title and company name in this section. Take full advantage of the space and let people know how you can help them in a concise way.
After stating that you’re a coach, consultant, and/or speaker in the headline section, try following with a variation of the following sentence:
I help (who) with (what).
For example:
Creative Director and Owner of Scrivener Solutions | Small Business Marketing & Personal Branding Integrator | I help solopreneurs grow their businesses through content marketing.
About & Experience
Your About section should include who you are, who you serve, and a peek into why you do what you do. This gives people some insight about you on a personal level to better understand if there is some commonality that would warrant a good connection.
Likewise, make sure your list in your experience section all point to the job you are currently in and supporting what you are doing now. This means it’s OK not to list every single job you’ve ever had. Only list the positions that complement and serve what you are currently doing.
Skills, Endorsements, & Recommendations
Then, review your skills section and include where your knowledge base and experience are. Ask those who you’ve worked with to write a quick endorsement or, better yet, a recommendation. Always offer to write one in exchange, as well.
Your profile will be one dimensional if you don’t have real connections touting your abilities and bringing another’s point of view to your work.
Finally, social media platforms are not meant to be a “one and done.” Make it a point to review and update your profile on a regular basis. Our world is changing by the minute and having current information is imperative to your business’ survival.
If you would like assistance with your social media management, schedule a call with us today to see if Scrivener Solutions is the right fit for growing your coaching, consulting, solopreneur business.