How to Make a Great Linkedin Profile - TIPS + EXAMPLES

Expert Academy
2 Jul 201908:39

TLDRThis video offers essential tips for crafting a successful LinkedIn profile, emphasizing the importance of a professional profile picture, an engaging headline, and a strong summary. It suggests using Photofeeler.com to evaluate likability, influence, and competence of your picture. The video also advises on optimizing your headline with keywords and a 'zing factor' to stand out, and enriching your summary with social proof and media links to showcase your expertise and attract professional connections.

Takeaways

  • 😀 LinkedIn is the most important professional social network for business connections and job opportunities.
  • 📸 Your profile picture is crucial; it should be a close-up with a neutral background, appropriate attire, and a professional demeanor.
  • 🚫 Avoid casual or unprofessional images like those with sunglasses, alcohol, or poor lighting for your profile picture.
  • 🔍 Use Photofeeler.com to get feedback on your profile picture's likability, influence, and competence.
  • 😃 Experiment with different smiles in your profile picture to find the right balance between likability and professionalism.
  • 🖼️ Consider updating your background picture on LinkedIn to stand out and appear more professional.
  • 🔖 Your headline should be more than just your job title; it should act as an engaging advertisement to draw people into your profile.
  • 🔑 Incorporate important keywords and a 'Zing factor' in your headline to make it more discoverable and interesting.
  • 📝 Write a strong summary that outlines your skills, strengths, and how you can help others or businesses grow.
  • 🔗 Include social proof in your summary by adding links to your website, blog, or other relevant media.
  • ✍️ Edit your LinkedIn profile to add external media links directly in the summary section for an enhanced profile.
  • 🔄 Don't forget to ask for feedback on your LinkedIn profile by leaving the link in the comments for constructive criticism and improvement.

Q & A

  • Why is having a good LinkedIn profile important for professional success?

    -A good LinkedIn profile is crucial for professional success because LinkedIn is the largest business-to-business social network globally, and it's where many business opportunities, job offers, and professional connections are made.

  • What are the key elements to consider for a good LinkedIn profile picture?

    -A good LinkedIn profile picture should be a close-up, with the person looking into the camera, smiling, against a neutral background, dressed appropriately, and avoiding excessive jewelry, accessories, headwear, or sunglasses.

  • Why should you avoid certain types of pictures on LinkedIn that might be suitable for Instagram?

    -Certain types of pictures, like those with bad lighting, taken in a car, featuring alcohol, or showing a casual holiday setting, are not suitable for LinkedIn because they do not convey a professional image, which is essential for a business-oriented platform.

  • What is Photofeeler.com and how can it help with your LinkedIn profile picture?

    -Photofeeler.com is a free online application where professionals review your profile picture based on likability, influence, and competence. It helps you understand how others perceive your image and allows you to make adjustments to improve your professional appearance.

  • How can updating your background picture on LinkedIn enhance your profile?

    -Updating your background picture on LinkedIn can make your profile stand out, as it's an area that few people customize. A well-chosen background can communicate your professionalism and personal brand more effectively than the default blueish background.

  • What is the purpose of your headline on LinkedIn and how can you make it more effective?

    -Your headline on LinkedIn is like the title of an advertisement; it should draw people in and make them want to learn more about you. To make it more effective, include your job function and company name along with important keywords and a 'Zing factor' that adds a surprising or attention-grabbing element.

  • Why are keywords important to include in your LinkedIn headline?

    -Keywords in your LinkedIn headline are important because they help people find your profile when they use LinkedIn's search feature. Including relevant keywords that others might use to search for professionals like you can increase your visibility.

  • What is the 'Zing factor' in a LinkedIn headline and why is it useful?

    -The 'Zing factor' in a LinkedIn headline is an element that surprises or intrigues people, potentially sparking a conversation. It's a unique aspect that sets you apart and makes your profile more memorable and engaging.

  • What role does the summary section play in your LinkedIn profile and how can you make it strong?

    -The summary section of your LinkedIn profile allows you to explain your skills, strengths, and the value you offer. To make it strong, provide a clear explanation of how you can help others or businesses grow, and include social proof such as links to your website, blog, or videos.

  • How can you add external media to your LinkedIn summary and what are the benefits?

    -You can add external media to your LinkedIn summary by including links to your website, blog, SlideShare presentations, or YouTube videos. This enriches your profile by providing direct access to your work and increasing your credibility and visibility.

  • What is the bonus offer mentioned in the script and how can viewers take advantage of it?

    -The bonus offer is an invitation for viewers to leave their LinkedIn profile link in the comments, after which the script's author will review their profile and provide feedback and tips for improvement. Viewers can take advantage of this by sharing their profile link and engaging with the content creator.

Outlines

00:00

📸 Crafting a Professional Profile Picture for LinkedIn

This paragraph emphasizes the importance of a professional profile picture on LinkedIn, which is crucial for attracting connections, business proposals, and job offers. It provides guidelines for a good profile picture, such as a close-up shot with a neutral background, appropriate attire, and minimal accessories. It also suggests avoiding certain elements like sunglasses or headwear. The paragraph introduces Photofeeler.com, a free online tool that rates profile pictures based on likability, influence, and competence, allowing users to optimize their LinkedIn image for professionalism and approachability.

05:02

🔍 Enhancing Your LinkedIn Profile with a Strong Headline and Summary

The second paragraph focuses on optimizing the headline and summary sections of a LinkedIn profile to stand out. It suggests customizing the headline with job function, company name, important keywords, and a 'Zing factor' to attract attention and spark interest. The summary is highlighted as a space to articulate skills, strengths, and offer social proof through links to websites, blogs, and videos. The paragraph also provides tips on how to add external media to the LinkedIn profile, making it a comprehensive representation of one's professional identity and offerings.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Linkedin

Linkedin is a professional networking platform that is highly regarded for its business-to-business connections and opportunities. It is the central theme of the video, which focuses on optimizing one's Linkedin profile to enhance professional visibility and success. The script emphasizes the importance of a strong Linkedin presence for job opportunities, business proposals, and networking.

💡Profile Picture

A profile picture on Linkedin is crucial as it is the first visual impression one makes on other users. The video script outlines the characteristics of an effective profile picture: it should be a close-up, with the subject looking into the camera, smiling, against a neutral background, and dressed appropriately without distracting accessories or headwear. The script also mentions using Photofeeler.com to get feedback on the likability, influence, and competence conveyed by the picture.

💡Professional Look

A professional look on Linkedin is essential for credibility and to attract business opportunities. The script contrasts casual or inappropriate profile pictures with the professional image needed for a Linkedin profile. It suggests avoiding pictures with sunglasses, alcohol, or taken in informal settings, which might be suitable for other social media platforms but not for a professional network like Linkedin.

💡Photofeeler.com

Photofeeler.com is a free online application mentioned in the script that allows users to receive feedback on their profile pictures from professionals. It evaluates pictures based on three criteria: likability, influence, and competence. The script uses this tool as an example to demonstrate how one can improve their profile picture to better align with the expectations of a professional network.

💡Background Picture

The background picture on a Linkedin profile is an often overlooked aspect that can contribute to a professional image. The script suggests customizing the background picture to stand out from the default Linkedin blueish background, using it as an opportunity to further communicate one's professional identity, as exemplified by Tara Hunt's background picture in the script.

💡Headline

The headline on Linkedin is the text that appears below a user's name and serves as a brief introduction or advertisement of one's professional identity. The script advises against using just a job title, which can be generic, and instead recommends incorporating job function, company name, important keywords, and a 'Zing factor' to make the headline more engaging and reflective of one's professional brand.

💡Keywords

Keywords in the Linkedin headline are essential for searchability and to attract the right audience. The script advises including keywords that people might use to find someone with your skills or in your field. This makes the profile more discoverable and relevant to others searching for specific expertise or services on the platform.

💡Zing Factor

The 'Zing factor' is a unique element added to the Linkedin headline to make it more memorable and engaging. It is intended to surprise and intrigue viewers, potentially sparking a conversation. The script illustrates this with examples like 'Helping people in their professional growth' and 'Keynote Speaker, Youtuber and Founder', which add personality and interest to the headline.

💡Summary

The summary section of a Linkedin profile is an opportunity to elaborate on one's skills, strengths, and professional story. The script highlights the importance of a strong summary in showcasing what one can offer to others, such as solutions or growth strategies. It also mentions the inclusion of social proof, such as links to websites, blogs, and videos, to provide additional credibility and context.

💡Social Proof

Social proof in the context of a Linkedin profile refers to the inclusion of links and references that validate one's expertise and credibility. The script describes how adding links to a personal website, blog, or videos can serve as evidence of one's professional accomplishments and thought leadership, thereby enhancing trust and interest from other Linkedin users.

Highlights

Linkedin is the biggest business to business social network in the world.

Having a good Linkedin profile is crucial for success on the platform.

Your profile picture is important for connecting with others and receiving job offers.

A good profile picture should be a close-up with a neutral background and minimal accessories.

Avoid wearing headwear or sunglasses in your profile picture.

Photofeeler.com can help you evaluate your profile picture based on likability, influence, and competence.

Choosing between likability and professionalism in your profile picture may depend on your industry.

Updating your background picture on Linkedin can make your profile stand out.

Use a headline that acts as an ad to draw people into your profile.

Enhance your headline with your job function, company name, important keywords, and a 'Zing factor'.

Keywords in your headline can help others find your profile on Linkedin.

A strong summary can explain your skills and strengths, and offer social proof.

Including links to your website, blog, or videos in your summary can provide additional credibility.

Adding external media to your Linkedin profile is simple and can enhance your summary.

The presenter offers to review viewers' Linkedin profiles and provide feedback.

Engaging with the video by liking and subscribing can help viewers stay updated on future content.