7. Profile Picture Don’t be shy! Add a picture Make sure you look PROFESSIONAL! Maybe get it taken by a real photographer… that way it looks REAL GOOD! Say cheese and SMILE! A picture helps create a personal connection. People are more apt to look at a profile if it has a picture. Plus having a picture shows you are taking LinkedIn seriously.
8. Summary Do not copy and paste your resume! Introduce yourself to the reader Write like you are having a conversation with the person reading This isn’t that different from your 30 second “elevator speech” Sell yourself! What do you do and how does this HELP the person reading? Include a CLEAR CALL TO ACTION! Tell the person what you want them to do after reading your profile. Should they call you? Email you? Visit your Website?
9. Specialties Your Specialties are your KEYWORDS. If someone is searching for your expertise what keywords would they enter in a search? USE THOSE WORDS!
10. Experience I said it before, DO NOT COPY & PASTE YOUR RESUME! Include a short description of your company Summarize what you do and the VALUE you add Highlight one accomplishment that makes you proud
11. Education List your schools and degrees If you didn’t attend college/university, list any schools or classes you did attend or certifications you have earned. You don’t have to choose from the schools listed… be creative! School of Hard Knocks, have I got any takers?
12. Recommendations Write recommendations for people you know After you write a recommendation, ask the person to recommend you! You need at least 3 recommendations in order to achieve 100% completion of your profile.
13. Additional Information Websites Don’t select My Website or My Company’s Website from the droplist… Choose OTHER! Now you can create custom ANCHOR TEXT for your link! This is a great way to get some SEO-friendly back linking going to your Website. Use Keywords people would use if they were searching for your Website
14. Additional Information Interests Go ahead, enter your Interests… What do you love to do when you are away from work? Try to give the reader the impression that you are an interesting person with a life outside of work.
15. Additional Information Groups and Associations Join Groups and/or Create Groups Groups are a great way to show affiliation Also, it increases your ability to search and connect with people outside of your 1st and 2nd and 3rd degree connections.
16. Additional Information Honors and Awards Go ahead and brag about any career honors or awards! Toot your horn! You may want to skip any honors from childhood, we’re past that phase now.
17. Personal Information Enter your contact information! It’s okay! You won’t get abducted. This is how people will be able to get a hold of you! For good things…Like job or business opportunities!
18. Contact Settings List what you are interested in! I wouldn’t be too worried about listing Career Opportunities. It’s okay. Let people know how you want to be contacted. If you are best contacted via email, let them know!
19. LinkedIn-Makeover.com Do you need more help? Outsource the writing of your profile to: http://www.LinkedIn-Makeover.com Getting the perfect profile couldn’t be easier!