The Care and Feeding of LinkedIn … Create a Productive Profile
Guest post by Jackie Nagel, Synnovatia
Your Profile is your face to the world. When your Profile aligns with your LinkedIn purpose and pursuit, it adds to the productive use of this new media by strengthening your overall brand.
First Impressions Make Lasting Impressions
Profile Header: This is the box bordered in light blue that looks like a business card. It contains your name, title, location, picture, and a text box entitled What are you working on. It is comprised of the information most viewed by your network whether you are joining groups, securing recommendations, adding connections or answering questions. It’s significant real estate!
- Given the visible reach, your position title should be short and descriptive, leaving the reader with a quick, clear snap shot of your occupation, business or responsibility.
- A picture is worth a thousand words. Consider what you want to communicate to your network before uploading yours. It’s a trust and credibility builder.
- What are you working on is a great tool to demonstrate your expertise and/or highlight your qualifications. Update it weekly. The number of characters is limited so make your message succinct and clear. While creating your post, and before your hit save, check Visible to: to confirm your postings are visible to the connections of your choosing.
WIIFM
Profile Summary: This is where you shamelessly shine. Most online readers are scanners so you have but a few words to convey your expertise.
- Craft a synopsis of your competence using three (3) paragraphs comprised of 2-3 sentences each. And, remember. Write your summation to communicate the What’s in it for Me (WIIFM) to your readers.
- The Specialties feature can be likened to keywords. List the more prominent words and/or phrases by which you want to be identified through a search.
Your Profile sets the stage for your networking efforts. It is always present - even when you’re not - demonstrating your value to all interested parties.
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Jackie Nagel, Founder of Synnovatia™, energizes entrepreneurs that are stuck, stalled, starting up, or stretching with a pioneering coaching approach that drives profits, productivity, and performance.
Photo credit for black and white photo: funny faces
