How to get the most out of your LinkedIn profile
LinkedIn is the ultimate networking tool for business professionals. The social media platform allows you and your company to connect with others in your industry. Many businessmen and women have taken advantage of this site, with more than 277 million users currently on LinkedIn, according to Business Insider. Simply creating a profile, however, isn't enough. If you really want to get the most out of LinkedIn, here are a few ways to do so:
Add a picture
This tip seems simple and straightforward, but many users create a profile without uploading a picture of themselves. Employers, partners and clients want to be able to put a face to your name. Having a picture allows more people to find and connect with you, creating a larger virtual circle of business professionals. Make sure that the photo you choose is a professional one. LinkedIn isn't Facebook, so select a headshot of your smiling face showing a bit of your shoulders. Your company profile should have a photo of your logo to help brand your business.
Have recommendations
Recommendations are a hugely important thing to have on your LinkedIn profile. These recommendations could be from bosses, co-workers, clients, etc. Ultimately, they strengthen your personal brand and inform others that you're credible.
Link elsewhere
LinkedIn is made up of much more than text. Always link to other places that are going to enhance your brand and help you look more appealing to customers, clients and other employers. You can add graphics or slideshows to your profile and link to online content such as a portfolio or other social media accounts like Twitter or Google . However, the links you're including should never be to personal accounts.
Be organized
Your LinkedIn profile should be easy for employers and clients to read. They shouldn't have to sort through paragraphs and paragraphs of text in order to figure out what your skills are. Break your profile into different sections, much like your resume. Add your experience, special skills, projects you've worked on, accomplishments, etc.
Join groups
While you can connect with specific individuals, you can also join groups on LinkedIn based on your interests. For instance, if you're in the marketing field, there are a variety of groups you can join, from mobile marketing to digital marketing and social media marketing. Connecting with these groups puts you in touch with people who share the same interests. You can also connect with companies. Follow businesses in your field, or even companies that you might want to apply to in the future. By connecting with a company, you'll receive updates, job postings and advice on your home page.
It's a good idea for company pages to link back to personal profiles of the people who work there. Doing so makes your business seem more approachable and real. LinkedIn can help your business start conversations with other companies and customers in your field.
Stay active
Once you've joined LinkedIn, stay active on it. When you post a status or update your profile, these changes are seen by all of your other contacts on their newsfeeds. Having that newsfeed also allows you to see when your connections get promoted, change industries or accomplish something at work. You will get notifications when your LinkedIn contacts change jobs, celebrate an anniversary with their company and when other business-related events occur. Instead of simply congratulating them on LinkedIn or with an email, why not go the extra mile and send business greeting cards to recognize their achievement and further brand your company.
