I get a message several times a month from YoPros asking about their LinkedIn.
Questions like:
Is this headshot okay? (their current photo is a cropped image of them at a college formal with their BFF next to them)
What do I write in my About section?
How do I find a job that I ~actually~ want on here?
If you have ever asked one of these questions, then you are not alone. I have even asked these questions at times in my professional life. The great thing is, I can help you with this and more. Thanks to my wonderful YoPro network made up of YoPros like you from across the world, I have learned the best tips and tricks for this coveted professional site to help make you successful while sharing your professional accomplishments and daily life with the world via social media.
Here are a few tips to remember when creating or revamping your LinkedIn profile:
1) Have a professional headshot.
It seems silly to write it down here as the first tip, but it’s critical to have a professional shot with no one cropped out next to you. Maggie Fachini, then-30-year-old Enterprise Account Executive at LinkedIn in New York, says this is the holy grail of LinkedIn tips.
It should also be a recent image of yourself. I learned from a trusted mentor and friend, who you will meet in a second, that you should get a new headshot every year. I’ll be the first to admit that the last time I took a headshot professionally (until recently) was over three years ago. While I recognize most professional headshots are costly, there are much more reasonable options as well. If you need help finding a more reasonable option, don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
2) Use a customer-centric headline on your profile.
You didn’t think I wouldn't include more than one tip from someone who works at LinkedIn, did you? Maggie also shares this piece of information because a headline and your headshot are the first two things people will see on your profile.
It’s super important that you craft a headline that aligns with the value you bring for your customers or to the market. For example, Maggie’s title is "Enterprise Account Executive at LinkedIn," but her headline is “Helping sales professionals unlock the revenue-generating power of LinkedIn”.
3) Be confident.
Lindsey McMillion Stemann, Founder & Principal of McMillion Consulting, has created a successful business showing YoPros like you how to use LinkedIn as a business tool. Her biggest piece of advice is to show more confidence! You can do this by adding a note when connecting with someone on the platform, or by sharing your thoughts in the comments section on a post.
For more help with this, Lindsey has got you covered! Take a look at our partners’ page to see how you can get plugged in with Lindsey here.
LinkedIn is your digital resume and like a hard-copy resume, it’s extremely important in sharing your brand with the world, including future employers. To become more marketable on LinkedIn, start utilizing these tips. If you think you need more work, I welcome you to visit our partner, McMillion Consulting, for their step-by-step process to rock your LinkedIn profile to make you stand out.
And remember one thing: don’t let LinkedIn scare you! Use it as a tool for your success. An entire world of opportunities is found on the platform, so start the beginning of an incredible start to your YoPro career on LinkedIn today!
For more professional development tools, be sure to check out YoPro Know's membership offerings to take you to your next level as a YoPro.
