I consider LinkedIn to be one of the “big four” of social media (the others are Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube). But after I read a few recent articles about LinkedIn, I realized I was not using my profile in a very business-savvy way. Here are 3 ways to update your LinkedIn profile that will increase your visibility and help build recognition for your expertise.
1. Change what you have in the fields for first and last name. Instead of using Sue Painter, for example, I kept my first name (Sue) but changed the last name field to read Painter, Owner, The Confident Marketer. This puts your business name front and center and leaves you the next field free for key terms about who you are and what you do.
2. Change the next field (the headline). Most people put the name of their business in this field. But your business name often doesn’t tell people exactly what you do or what you are expert in. And, you now already have your business name above, in the “last name” field. Since LinkedIn is keyword searchable (and is indexed by Google) this is a great place to use your keywords. For example, I used the terms SoloPreneur Marketing Stategist, Mindset Shift Expert, Neuromarketing, Coach, Speaker, Internet Marketing Expert. So now, right at the top of my profile I have much more information about myself and what I do than just my name and my business’s name. Here is the before and after of the very top of my profile.
Before: Sue Painter
Owner, The Confident Marketer
After: Sue (Hawkins) Painter, Owner, The Confident Marketer
SoloPreneur Marketing Stategist, Mindset Shift Expert, Neuromarketing, Coach, Speaker, Internet Marketing Expert
Can you see how much more information that offers someone viewing my profile? And, the keyword terms are searchable within LinkedIn, so if someone is looking for a mindshift expert for solo business owners, I’ll be found more easily.
3. As you build your profile, weave the keyword terms you have used into “Summary” field. It’s your chance to give a fuller explanation of what you do and how you work. Be sure to use your keyword terms again at the very bottom of the Summary field, where LinkedIn asks for “Specialties.”
4. If you are a blogger (and as a solo professional, you should be!) click on the “More” tab at the top of the Linked In page, above your profile, and then click on “Applications.” You’ll see several applications there, the important one links your blog poastings to to LinkEd automatically. You can also add Twitter accounts if you wish.
5. Be sure to hit LinkedIn a few times a week to see what’s new with your connections and to provide an update about what you are up to, as well. Share information about upcoming products, events, and offers.
Personalizing your LinkedIn page will lead those you don’t know toward the “know/like/trust factor, which is very important to building your business.
(c) Sue Painter
Hi Sue,
Thank you for such great information! I’ve been neglecting my LinkedIn account, but I’m now going to update it.
xo,
Melody
Great advice! You’ve taken using LinkedIn to a whole new level!
Glad it is helpful for you, Phil.
Sue P.
Sue – Great article! I must admit I am not using Linked-in nearly as well as I could…I am definitely going to implement your suggestions!
Phil
Sue — great tips! I had never heard of your suggestion about the last name and header lines. Great idea! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Christine. I’m glad it is helpful for you.
Sue P.
This post has definitely prompted me to get back into my LinkedIn profile to set it up properly. Thanks so much for the simple to follow guidelines Sue.
Jenny,
I’m not on LinkedIn as much, either, but I think I need to pay more attention to it!
Sue P.
Glad you can use the tips, Terry!
Sue P.
Great tips Sue. I will be updating my LinkedIn Profile shortly.
Terry
Very helpful, Sue. When I first entered the social media world, LinkedIn was my go-to application . I’m now more into Facebook and Twitter, though I believe LinkedIn is still relevant. Thanks for the tips on maximizing my presence.
Thanks, Mitch. Glad to know it is helpful for you.
Sue,
Great tips for LinkedIn use. the best part is everything is so easy to do and you explain it so clearly.
Thanks.
Heidi,
Glad to help. We probably need to connect on LinkedIn, anyway, LOL!
Sue P.
Twitter: CommsCoach
says:
Hi Sue thanks for the fabulous tips – I never thought to add my business title into my surname area – I will be updating my details post haste!
Heidi ALexandra Pollard
The Living Leaders Advocate
Twitter: writeoncreative
says:
Sue,
Excellent information. Updating my LinkedIn profile is on my ever growing to-do list and now I have some fantastic tips to make it even more effective.
Thanks for sharing.
Write on!~
Lisa
hi Sue
thanks for these useful tips . Although I have had many invites I havent joined linked in yet . Even though social marketing is brilliant, I feel concerned that so much time can be ‘eaten’ away from my business but I will take a look.
Pinky
Twitter: _iaLOAp_
says:
Awesome, simple-to-understand tips, Sue! ♥ Katherine
Hi Sue,
These are great tips! I love tip #1 and will get that one done immediately. I don’t use LinkedIn as much as I do other Social Media tools. I will definitely add it to my routine.
Ellen
Hi Ellen,
I’ve not used LinkedIn quite as much either, but it’s worthy of our time. Glad you like the tips.
Sue P.
Kiyla,
You’re welcome – LinkedIn will be good for you and Robert because of the business you are in, too!
Sue P.
Hi Sue,
I don’t even have a Linkedin acct. I will start that immediately. Thanks for the great biz tip!
Kiyla
Twitter: Chiropractic Hand & Foot Clinics Of America
says:
Sue,
Wow…Thanks! I keep getting invites in my email from other entrepreneurs. I respond but I have not done a thing with my profile…how embarrassing. I’ll put these tips on my to do list tomorrow. Thanks for the great instructions.
Dr. Robert Fenell
It will be a good way to get visibility for your chiropractic teachings to other chiros, I believe.
Sue P.
Hi Trudy,
I’m glad it’s useful to you.
Sue P.
Sue,
Great suggestions! I certainly have NOT used LinkedIn as much as other social media sites, but will follow through with your great ideas.
Thanks so very much.
Anita
Twitter: everywomanovr29
says:
Thanks Sue – I’ve just started using social media and I’m not yet using LinkedIn. But you’re provided great tips for me to get started so thank you! I like the tip to link it to your blog too
Trudy
You’re welcome, Laura. I only focus on four – I get too overwhelmed trying to do more!
Sue P.
There are so many amazing tools to use for marketing.
I find the trick is picking which ones to focus on.
Thanks for keeping me up to date on all the latest tools, so I can make decisions about where to focus my energy.
Hi Lynn,
Glad you could use the ideas!
Sue
Great stuff Sue! I will be doing this on my Linked In profile immediately! This is so good I had to share on FB.
Thanks a bunch
Lynn
Hi Sue,
I’m not sure if this is just my browser’s issue, but when I wanted to share this post via Twitter, I couldn’t. The options under Share and Enjoy don’t have a Twitter icon.
Great idea about using the name fields to give more details about your business and using keywords throughout!
Thanks!
Yoana
Thanks, Yoana, I’ll check the website and see if I need a fix. Glad you enjoyed the article.
Sue Painter