The document provides tips for optimizing a LinkedIn profile. It recommends using a professional background photo and profile picture to differentiate your account. The profile title does not need to match your job description and can highlight the problems your services solve or your passions. The summary section tells your story and should be kept up to date. Skills listed should be professional and honest. Work experience can be listed in bullet points or story format. Education and other experiences provide context but don't list every course. Following companies, competitors, and clients augments industry knowledge. Thought leadership identifies you as an expert through writing on topics. Groups and influencers should be curated carefully for learning. News feeds are less valuable than following companies. The overall goal

1. By:
Seth
Killian

2. 160 million
users. Here’s
how to stand
out…

3. Make use of the background pic to
differentiate your account. It is visual
real estate –develop it.
Use company brand compliant images
where possible.
If you’re freelance use it to promote
your business/brand.
Stay away from non-professional pics.
More on this later…

4. Your Profile Pic is VERY important.
Invest time & money to have
professional shots. It’s worth it.
Even if you just graduated avoid Class
Grad Pics. College is not the
professional world, the sooner you
leave it behind the better.
Also, don’t crop off your best friend’s
head and assume that’ll do. It won’t.
Neither will pixelated, discolored or
selfie-ish pics either.

5. Your title does not have to be what your
job description says. There are no rules
here.
Spruce it up by telling potential clients
what problems your services/products
solve.
Are you passionate about something?
Work it in.
Also, make sure your city & industry are
accurate for a full-orbed presentation.

6. Ensure your prospects can easily reach
you and be directed your company’s
website to review more product info at
their leisure.
Also, you live in more than once spot.
Link it up.

7. Which type of connector are you?
‘Hyper-Active’ (Connect w/ everyone!)
‘Moderate’ (Connect w/ those it makes
sense to connect with.)
‘Close To The Chest’ (Connect only w/
those I really want in a tight network)
Bigger isn’t always better. However,
being tight with your connections
equals a under-powered network.
Remember why you’re here. My advice:
Grow, but do it healthily…

8. Your summary is VERY important. Be
SURE to keep it up to date. For instance:
If you have a job you should not have
anything in their about looking for
opportunities.
This is where you tell your story. I’ve seen
people make this part all about their
company and that’s perfectly fine as well.
Read you peer’s Summary sections to get
a feel for what works and what doesn’t.
Special Tip: If you’ve been told several
times that you can write well then write your
summary in the first person. If writing is not
your forte then stick to the third person.

9. Be sure you are listing the most
professional skills while still being
honest about your true abilities.
Tips: Look at what your peers both
within your company and without are
listing and see what is applicable to
you.
Avoid high-school level skills like:
Microsoft PowerPoint.

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There are two ways to properly list your
work.
The first and most common is the List
or Bullet-Point format. This is good for
clearly presenting your skills as it
literally gets right to the point.
Media content Is King!!!

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The second way to list your your work
experience is in the story-telling format.
It’s the MOST memorable way to do
things. Our brains are wired to connect
with stories more than facts & figures. If
you’re in Sales you’ll want all of those
connections you can get.
The story-telling format also invokes
emotion on the part of the reader.

12. Education is important, but don’t list every
course –that’s just adolescent. Maybe list
notable groups or projects you were
associated with.
List your other experiences as well. It
helps others to connect with you and can
provide common ground on which to build
bridges w/ prospects.
Travel is also a differentiator. Even the
founder of Linkedin says that time spent
abroad volunteering ought to count
towards work experience.

13. When you check some people’s profiles
you might see several blog posts
towards the top. Not everyone has
these b/c not everyone has taken
advantage of Linkedin’s publishing
platform.
IF you are wanting to understand this
powerful component of the platform
more let’s have a talk.
A note on Thought Leadership: Taking time to
write your own thoughts on any given topic
identifies you as a thought leader in that
space. You may not be the hands-down
expert on a topic but you know more than
someone who is brand new, so don’t be
afraid to write if it’s something you’d like to do!

14. Groups & Influencers are similar to your
connections in this regard: curate them
with care.
If you do it properly they will augment
your industry knowledge and provide
access to new streams of learning &
inspiration.
PS: Everyone go follow Gary
Vaynerchuck!
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15. Think of News like general stations that
will pop up in your feed. They are
valuable but nowhere near as much as
the Companies you follow.
You ought to follow your company &
your competitors at least. Also, all the
companies you are selling in to.
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16. Now go put it to
work and spruce
up those profiles!
Seth
Killian
If you’re in or
around Sales I’d
love to connect!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethkillian
ISales
Trainer