If your LinkedIn profile is still geared towards landing a new role or has yet to be fully completed and optimised, you could be giving away business growth opportunities to your competitors.
Here are my three main reasons why optimising your LinkedIn profile is crucial for business growth:
- First Impressions Matter: Your LinkedIn profile is often the first point of contact for potential clients and partners. A well-optimised profile ensures you make a strong and positive first impression, showcasing your professionalism and expertise.
- Increased Visibility and Opportunities: An optimised profile is more likely to appear in search results, making it easier for people to find and connect with you. Using relevant keywords and highlighting your skills increases the chances of attracting the right opportunities and connections that can drive your business growth.
- Building Credibility and Trust: A comprehensive and polished profile that includes endorsements, recommendations, and showcased work helps build credibility. This trust factor is crucial in converting connections and ultimately contributing to your business success.
This article is inspired by the recent episode of the Social Media for B2B Growth Podcast hosted by Michelle J Raymond, which goes into much more detail.
Thanks to our podcast sponsor Metricool. Make sure to register for a FREE Metricool account today. Use Code MICHELLE30 to try any Premium Plan FREE for 30 days. https://i.mtr.cool/NEDXVZ
1. First Impressions Matter
Whether you’re connecting with someone, creating content, or sending direct messages, all roads on LinkedIn lead back to your profile.
LinkedIn Profile Photo
- Your LinkedIn profile photo should be current, friendly, and approachable.
- Look straight into the camera with a smile. People want to do business with someone they can trust.
- Most visitors to your profile use a mobile device, so make sure your face takes up about 80% of the circle and you aren’t too far back.
LinkedIn Headline
- Your headline is more than just your job title. This is your chance to tell people who you are, what you do, and how you can help them.
- Think about the keywords you want to be discovered for.
- The first 55 characters should contain the most important information, as this will be displayed in most places. The rest may be cut off.
LinkedIn Cover Image
- Your LinkedIn banner is like a personal billboard. Think of it as your opportunity to make an immediate impact.
- You want to convey a strong message with as little text as possible—five keywords max!
- Avoid overwhelming your visitors with too much information. Instead, use this space to reinforce your brand and tell people what you’re all about in a single glance.
About Section
- This section most undersells LinkedIn users. This is your chance to create a narrative around who you are, what you stand for, and how you solve your audience’s problems.
- If your ‘About’ section is light on content or overly focused on yourself, it’s time to rethink and rewrite it.
- Use the available 2600-character spaces and include keywords.
2. Increased Visibility and Opportunities
The LinkedIn algorithm constantly compares you to your competitors, and if your profile isn’t as complete or keyword-rich as theirs, you’re likely missing out on opportunities.
Work Experience
- It’s not enough to list job titles—fill in the details!
- Split between Key Responsibilities and Key Achievements.
- Add media to each of your listed Work Experiences.
Skills
- You can add key skills to your About, Work Experience, and Skills sections.
- Getting endorsements for skills can significantly boost your profile’s credibility.
- But remember, no one will endorse you unless you ask. Reach out to colleagues, managers, and clients for endorsements—it makes a world of difference.
3. Building Credibility and Trust
Trust is the cornerstone of business growth on LinkedIn. One of the best ways to build trust is through recommendations and highlighting your key work.
Featured Section
- This is prime real estate on your profile, where you can showcase your best work, whether it’s a standout post, a video, or a link to an article you’ve written.
- Use this space wisely to direct how you want others to perceive you.
Recommendations
- Recommendations are testimonials that validate your claims and reinforce your credibility.
- If you haven’t received a recommendation in the past year, now is the time to ask for one—or two!
Get Your LinkedIn Profile Optimised – Work With Me
Optimising your LinkedIn profile isn’t just about looking good online; it’s about aligning your profile with your business goals.
If writing about yourself feels daunting, remember, I’m here to help. It’s what I love doing, and I offer this service through B2B Growth Co.
Learn more here – https://b2bgrowthco.com/linkedin-profile-writing/
Until next time, happy updating!
Cheers
Michelle J Raymond is the founder of B2B Growth Co and has made her mark as a leading LinkedIn growth strategist, offering comprehensive strategies and training to brands eager to harness LinkedIn for business growth through thought leadership, content marketing or social selling techniques.
With 20+ years’ experience in B2B sales, and almost a decade of social selling on LinkedIn, Michelle stands out for her significant LinkedIn contributions as the co-author of two globally acclaimed books: “Business Gold,” the first book exclusively dedicated to LinkedIn Company Pages, and “The LinkedIn Branding Book,” and her insightful podcast Social Media for B2B Growth. Follow her YouTube channel @MichelleJRaymond for helpful how to’s.
