LinkedIn is a great tool and one that should be utilized by all professionals.  Using LinkedIn can help you increase and expand your sphere of influenced and connections and begin generating leads for your business. 

One key to using LinkedIn is to ensure you have the best possible profile.  Your profile will help showcase who you are and why people should connect with you and do business with you.

This post will provide a few tips to ensuring your LinkedIn Profile is helping you put your best image forward.

Keep Your Profile Public

When you set up your LinkedIn profile make sure it is set to public.  This will ensure that people can find you when they search by your name or business or keywords that highlight what you do.

Your Profile Picture

LinkedIn is much different than Facebook, so please don’t use a photo of you and your family or you out having fun.  Use a professional photo on your LinkedIn Profile.  It may be a good idea to find a photographer that can take a few professional headshots with you putting your best image forward.  Remember your photo will be one of the first things a new connection may see.

Make Your LinkedIn Profile SEO Friendly

Search Engine Optimization or SEO is a term that refers to using the right content and keywords to be found when someone performs a search. LinkedIn utilizes its own proprietary search algorithm that produces results based on the keywords listed in your profiles. If you are a Realtor be sure to include this in your profile and the title of your profile so that if someone is searching for Realtors in your location they have a good chance of finding you.

 Don’t Ignore the Skills Section

It is very important that you add all of your relevant skills in the skills section of your profile.  You can add up to 50 so there should be no reason to miss your key skills that highlight who you are and what you can do.   To add skills, in the Edit Profile area, scroll down below your experience until you find the skills area. Click on add skill and add away!

Be Descriptive When Adding Links to Your Website

LinkedIn allows you to add your website and blog and a couple other links, which is great, but this is often an overlooked opportunity.  Instead of labeling this as my website be sure to use your keywords and pick a descriptive keyword rich phrase, like: Homes for Sale in Denver (if you are a Real Estate Agent).

Now, take a little bit of time and make sure your LinkedIn Profile is up to date and be sure to make any needed adjustments to make you stand out.