If you thought LinkedIn was only an online resume, think again. It’s a great platform for building your personal brand and advancing your career. But do you need a personal brand if you’re employed? Absolutely. Whether you’re a freelancer or an employee, building a reputation with your network by sharing who you are and what you care about can help you get promoted and open up new career opportunities in the future.
Even if you’re not an expert in your field, you can still benefit from a personal brand. Here are ten tips for developing your personal brand on LinkedIn:
LinkedIn Basics – Phase One
Start by reviewing your LinkedIn profile and making sure it’s complete:
1. Complete your LinkedIn profile.
Make sure your profile is 100% complete with all relevant information. Incomplete profiles rank lower, so this is an important first step.
2. Use a professional headshot.
Invest in a professional photo, rather than using a selfie. According to a LinkedIn survey, profiles with photos are 21 times more likely to be viewed. If you can’t afford a professional photographer, ask a friend to take some close-up photos of you against a white background.
3. Personalize your LinkedIn URL.
Change your URL to your full name (linkedin.com/in/yourname) to make it easier for people to find you on LinkedIn and Google.
4. Craft a strategic headline.
Use your summary and headline to tell readers who you are and what you’re interested in professionally.
LinkedIn Branding – Phase Two
Now that your profile is complete, it’s time to start building your network:
5. Share relevant content.
Use hashtags to find content that interests you or relates to your professional goals. By sharing valuable information with others, you can build a network of connections with similar interests.
6. Comment on relevant content.
Leave thoughtful comments on other people’s posts and start a conversation. This can lead to new connections and opportunities.
7. Make big announcements.
Share your accomplishments, such as speaking at a conference or completing a major project. This will help boost your reputation and make you more visible on the platform.
Advanced LinkedIn Branding – Phase Three
Take your personal brand to the next level with these advanced steps:
8. Become a company ambassador.
Publish long-form posts on LinkedIn Publisher to showcase your expertise and position yourself as a thought leader. Share stories about your accomplishments and passions, and include visuals like videos and photos to make your content more engaging.
9. Join groups.
Join relevant groups and aim to become a top contributor by regularly contributing to group discussions. If you don’t want to create content in groups, you can still build your brand by sharing your knowledge and engaging in conversations.
10. Use Linkedin Video
Take advantage of Linkedin Video to showcase your expertise and boost your profile’s visibility on Google. You can use this platform to create engaging visual content that highlights your knowledge and personality.
Now that you have these LinkedIn tools at your disposal start building your personal brand today. Remember to start small and build from there. If you have any questions about job searching or developing your personal brand on LinkedIn, feel free to email us at greatjobs@iklein.com.