Did you know LinkedIn is 20 years old this year? What started out as a digital resume platform has quickly turned into one of the leading opportunities to grow your business as an entrepreneur. With 875 million members from 200 countries and regions worldwide the opportunities available to you as an entrepreneur are limitless. More than likely you have a LinkedIn profile, but is it optimized and used to the best of your ability? Here’s how to use the platform to grow your career and professional network.
Step 1: Create a Catchy Headline
Your headline is what will attract connections and potential clients to your profile. You have 220 characters to wow them with so your headline needs to be well thought out. Rather than simply inserting your job title here you want to take it one step further. An example could be Real Estate Marketer with Proven Results. Your job title is included but it’s spruced up by adding a value statement.
Step 2: Optimize your LinkedIn Summary
Aside from your headline, your LinkedIn summary is likely to be the hook that keeps connections interested in what you do and what you have to offer. While you have up to 2,000 words to craft your bio, only the first three lines are visible to a visitor before they click “view more”. Your summary should reflect your skills, your interests and experience. Think of it as your written elevator pitch. As you begin to write it use this opportunity to write about you in your own words – not in the cookie cutter language you typically see. Let your personality come through and be sure to include keywords relevant to what you do.
Step 3: Complete the Design Services Page
LinkedIn has made it even easier for entrepreneurs to share their skills with their connections. Under your headline is a “Providing Services” page that let visitors know the services your provide and allows them to request your assistance. You can list up to 10 services, eight various media types, and content for an about section. Former customers can also leave reviews of your business in this space.
Step 4: Fill out your LinkedIn Profile
The easiest way to do this is from top to bottom. Fill out each section thoroughly with relevant information, making sure not to skip a section unless it doesn’t apply. You can share your work accolades here, how long you’ve been doing what you’ve been doing, and really show off your skills and knowledge. Also make sure to complete the education section with your school and graduation information. Lastly, remember to upload a professional profile photo and cover image.
Once your LinkedIn profile is as complete as possible, start making connections. Don’t spam people you don’t know with connection requests, start with those you do know. As you make connections out in the “real world” add them to your LinkedIn. It’s also important to not only update your LinkedIn sections as you gain more experience, but to make posts about your success, your hiring needs or if you want to share an important article. It shows you’re active on the platform and gets you seen in front of potential customers and clients.
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