Are you looking for a job? Or are you looking to connect with more people in your industry? LinkedIn is the perfect platform for both of those things. But if you want to make the most of LinkedIn, you need to make sure your profile stands out. This blog post will give you some tips on how to do just that.
Get creative with your background banner
One of the primary things people will see when they visit your profile is the background banner. You can upload a custom image here, so take advantage of that and make it something eye-catching. A good banner image will be relevant to your industry, and it will also give people a sense of who you are as a person. If you’re not sure what kind of LinkedIn background banner to use, take a look at the banner images of other LinkedIn users in your industry. See what kinds of images they’re using and get some inspiration from that. Just make sure you don’t copy anyone directly, since you want your profile to be unique, after all.
Upload a clear photo
Apart from your background banner, your profile photo is the other image that will appear on your profile. So, you want to make sure it’s a good one. A clear headshot is always best since it allows people to see what you look like. But if you don’t have a professional headshot, that’s okay too. Just make sure the photo is clear and that it shows your face. LinkedIn is a professional platform, so you want to present yourself professionally.
Use keywords in your profile
When people are searching for someone on LinkedIn, the search engine uses keywords to surface relevant results. So, if you want your profile to come up when people are searching for someone with your skills and experience, you need to use keywords in your profile. The best place to do this is in the “About” section of your profile. Write a few sentences about yourself and be sure to include some relevant keywords. But don’t stuff your profile with keywords just for the sake of it. Use them naturally and only include keywords that are relevant to your skills and experience.
Make your headline more than just your job title
Your headline is one of the first things people will see when they visit your profile. So, you want to make sure it’s something that will grab their attention. A good headline is more than just your current job title. It should describe who you are and what you do. For example, if you’re a freelance writer, your headline could be something like “Freelance Writer Helping Businesses Tell Their Stories.” Be creative with your headline and make it something that will make people want to learn more about you.
Include a call-to-action in your profile
When people visit your LinkedIn profile, you want them to do something. Whether that is to connect with you, visit your website, or read one of your blog posts, you should include a call-to-action (CTA) in your profile. A CTA is simply an instruction telling people what you want them to do. For example, you could say, “Connect with me if you’re interested in collaborating on a project.” Including a CTA in your profile helps to ensure that people don’t just visit your profile and then forget about you. This will prove to be beneficial whether you’re looking for a job or trying to build your network.
Be honest
Finally, but perhaps the most important of all, be honest in your profile. Don’t try to inflate your skills or experience just to make yourself look good. It will only come back to bite you later on. Be truthful about who you are and what you do, and people will appreciate that. In parallel to this, highlight the things you’re most proud of. Whether it’s a project you worked on or a skill you acquired, don’t be afraid to toot your own horn a little bit. Just make sure you’re not coming across as arrogant and that all you are speaking about is indeed true.
These are just some tips on how to make your LinkedIn profile stand out. By following these tips, you can be sure that your profile will be more visible and that it will make the right impression on potential employers or clients. Rest assured that with a little effort, you can make your LinkedIn profile work for you. So, what are you waiting for? Start making your LinkedIn profile stand out today!
