4 Tips for a Standout LinkedIn Profile

Your LinkedIn profile is more than a resume. It is the cornerstone of your individual professional brand online. Whether you are job searching, looking for clients, or just networking – you’ll want to build a LinkedIn profile that sets you apart from the crowd. Here are four tips to get you started.

#1: Your Introductory Info Matters

The first thing people see when searching on LinkedIn is your photo, your headline, and sometimes your URL. You’ll want to make sure that all of these are good to go.

You can customize your profile URL by clicking on the “Me” icon at the top of your homepage, selecting “View Profile”, then “Edit Public Profile & URL” on the right hand side. When you edit your url, it should look like this: www.linkedin.com/in/yournamewithoutspaces. First and last name is all you need, but if you have a common name (like “John Smith”), consider adding your middle name.

Your photo should be professional, yet friendly. This is not the place to use your vacation photo. Invest in a professional headshot if possible – and don’t forget to smile!

Finally, your headline doesn’t need to simply list your current job position or company – but you do want to make your expertise clear. Think “marketing professional” or “network engineer”, etc. Think about your keywords – what terms would a prospective client search for if they were looking for professionals in your field? Work that keyword into your headline.

#2: Boost Your Keyword Power with Endorsements & Recommendations

Speaking of keywords, another great way to boost your searchable status on LinkedIn is to focus on your “Skills” section on your profile. You want to make sure you’re using high-volume search phrases, and get specific. For example, instead of “IT Guru”, put “network engineer”, “cyber security”, “database administrator”, and so on based on your skills. Use as many skills keywords as are applicable to you.

Once you have these established, obtaining endorsements and recommendations on these keywords will help to boost your ranking and build trust with referrals.

#3: Be Personable

It’s tempting to use your LinkedIn just like a resume. This is a mistake. Think of your LinkedIn profile like an introductory conversation at a networking function. You want to be professional, but friendly.

Post regular updates, comment on other people’s status updates, and be a part of the conversation! Just like any other networking practice, you want to bring value to your target audience. Don’t be a passive presence!

#4: Keep it Current

As you grow in your professional life, be sure to update your LinkedIn profile. Were you involved in a project that you’re particularly proud of? Add it to your “Work Links” under your current position. Did you earn a new certification or degree? Add it to your profile! Did you win an award? There’s an entire section for that on your profile!

Just like networking, ensuring that your presence is polished before you really need that referral is key to success on LinkedIn.

Struggling with your social media networking? Heeren Content & Strategy offers a 15% discount on all services for veteran and military spouse small businesses. Contact us for a free consultation!

Guest Contributor: Erika Heeren is the founder of Heeren Content & Strategy. With 14 years of experience marketing and public relations, she has a professional focus on integrated media spanning 16 different industries.

Heeren works with small businesses and non-profit organizations to provide affordable, professional-quality content development, marketing, and public relations services. Her clients include local small business owners, marketing agencies, public universities, media outlets, Huffington Post-published authors, IT firms, and non-profit organizations.

A military spouse herself, Erika is an outspoken advocate for veteran and military spouse education, employment, and entrepreneurship. As a volunteer eMentor for the Military Entrepreneur Program, she works one-on-one with aspiring military-affiliated entrepreneurs to help them grow their business. She also volunteers as a digital marketing instructor with Treasure Valley SCORE.

Heeren is an award-winning writer and has been featured on NextGen Military Spouse, Veteran on the Move, Wright Stuff Radio, and Social Media Week.