Make it personal
Make people want to approach you by showing them a real person lies behind your business or organisation. Always write in the first person and write like a person, not a robot. (It’s a good idea for blogs too). Words such as ‘passionate’, ‘hard-working’ and ‘committed’ are bland and banned.
Make a good first impression
I love wearing straw hats (and occasionally garlands of flowers) at my allotment. However, I would never use photos of me in this get-up as my LinkedIn profile photo. Whatever ‘quirky’ or ‘friendly’ look you’re trying to convey, a professional headshot always makes a better impression. Dress smartly and use a neutral background.
Get your 'Headline' right
Your ‘Headline’ should say more about you than just a job title (after all, there’s space for 120 characters). Rather than talk about you, why not shout about what you can do for your audience. Instead of: Joanne Bloggs: ‘Marketing Expert’, go for Joanne Bloggs: ‘Helping your business thrive through targeted online marketing’.
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Add keywords
When people search for you, keywords can help them refine that search and find you more quickly. Use keywords, relevant to your field and expertise, in your LinkedIn ‘Headline’ and ‘Experience’ sections.
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Simplify
You might know what a ‘Director of First Impressions’ is but would ‘Receptionist’ be more accurate. Don’t get fancy-pants about what you do, or what your job entails. Keep the language simple and professional. You’ll get much more respect.
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Share great content
Show you’re an expert in your field by publishing a LinkedIn article. This will make you and your business much easier to search for. It will also offer shareable content. Use a headline that draws people in. Stick to around 400-700 words. Here’s some tips on writing a great blog.