![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.123print.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/Linkedin-Logo-Feature-Image.png\" "\\"Linkedin"){kind=logo}
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When partners, co-workers or potential employers search for your name, what social profile would you prefer them to see?\u00a0 If you\u2019re a small business<\/a> owner or white-collar professional; chances are you\u2019d prefer them to see your Linkedin profile.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Because it\u2019s real!\u00a0 You can\u2019t fake a good Linkedin profile. \u00a0<\/p>\n These tips and suggestions should be used with Linkedin\u2019s suggestions to get your profile to 100% completeness.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here are 10 relatively easy things you can do to improve the quality and visibility of your Linkedin profile:<\/p>\n 1. Use a professional-looking photo.<\/strong> You don\u2019t necessarily need to pay for a professional portrait.\u00a0 Almost everyone has a friend who is a part-time photographer or someone who can take a decent picture. \u00a0And you should at least wear something other than your college sweatshirt. This is not Facebook where it\u2019s completely acceptable to use a photo of your kid or a picture of you with your buddies hanging out or playing drinking games.\u00a0 This is your \u201cprofessional profile.”<\/p>\n I\u2019ve seen others give the advice of using the same photo on every profile.\u00a0 Although I\u2019m currently using the same photo on Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter and Google+, I disagree a little on this.\u00a0 I think you should always use a recent photo that actually looks like YOU.\u00a0 Not what you looked like 10 or 20 years ago.\u00a0 Is it just me, or are real estate agents famous for this? Anyway, I think it\u2019s ok to be a little more casual or have some fun on Facebook or Twitter.\u00a0<\/p>\n 2. Complete Descriptions and Details.<\/strong> This is probably the most time consuming of all these tips, but it\u2019s essential to having quality profile.\u00a0 Add company and job descriptions for all current and past experiences; take some time and write a professional summary that really explains who you are and what you\u2019re all about.\u00a0 Try not to use overused buzzwords<\/a> such as \u201cextensive experience,\u201d \u201cinnovative,\u201d \u201cmotivated,\u201d \u201cteam player,\u201d etc.\u00a0 They\u2019re so overused it immediately makes someone think, \u201cBS!\u201d\u00a0 Use facts, specific projects and actual examples to explain your roles.<\/p>\n 3. Create a custom, personal URL.<\/strong> This is so easy and so few people do it. Make sure you\u2019re logged in and then go to http:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/profile\/public-profile-settings<\/a>. There you should see the option to \u201cCustomize your public profile URL.\u201d\u00a0 I recommend using your first and last name without spaces as your custom URL.\u00a0 If your name is already taken, use your first and last name with your middle initial.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n And don\u2019t try to stuff your custom URL with keywords.\u00a0 The only keyword we\u2019re optimizing for is your name!<\/p>\n 4. Build professional connections.\u00a0 <\/strong>Once you\u2019ve added current and previous employers, Linkedin\u2019s suggestion engine will help you find connections by listing people you may know.\u00a0 You should invite anyone you\u2019ve ever worked with (unless of course you don\u2019t want to be associated with them) to join your network on Linkedin.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think you need to write a custom invitation for people who know you.\u00a0 Linkedin\u2019s standard \u201cI’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn\u201d will work just fine for people who know you fairly well.\u00a0 If you\u2019re trying to connect with people who may not remember you, then you might want to customize the invitation and remind them of where you met or how they know you.<\/p>\n 5. Seek professional recommendations. <\/strong>The easiest way to get a recommendation is to ask for one.\u00a0 The second easiest way to get a recommendation is to give a recommendation.\u00a0\u00a0 Give recommendations freely to those you feel deserve it.\u00a0 If you recommend someone, it\u2019s going to be visible on your profile and the profile of the person you recommended for all to see.\u00a0 So, if you recommend someone and they do a terrible job, it might reflect negatively on you! \u00a0Be careful when recommending or seeking recommendations from colleagues or people you currently work with.\u00a0 By default, recommendations are visible on your profile and are broadcasted to your entire network. To your boss it might look like you or the person you\u2019re recommending is looking for a new job.\u00a0 BTW, if you ARE looking for a new job, you can turn this off under \u201cPrivacy Controls\u201d inside \u201cSettings\u201d by un-checking the box next to \u201cLet people know when you change your profile, make recommendations, or follow companies.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Get real recommendations from your previous supervisors, clients, partners and consultants.\u00a0 If you can, get recommendations from recognized industry experts. \u00a0<\/strong>It\u2019ll help establish you as an expert and build your authority on Linkedin.<\/p>\n 6. Update it frequently. <\/strong>Yes, just like you would your Facebook, Twitter or G+ page.\u00a0 And although there are tools to automatically share your Twitter and Facebook posts on Linkedin, I don\u2019t recommend using them.\u00a0 Have some stuff on your Linkedin page that is unique to your Linkedin page.\u00a0 I like using the hashtag #li or #in to designate tweets to get posted to my Linkedin page. The setting to allow the use of these special hashtags is here<\/a>.\u00a0 You can also look for the Share on Linkedin button found on many websites instead of always clicking the common Tweet or Like buttons.\u00a0 I also like to occasionally change my professional headline.\u00a0 Sometimes it might say \u201cChief SEO and Social Geek at 123Print\u201d or I might change it up a bit to something like \u201cOrganic marketer and social media evangelist.\u201d\u00a0 My headline is the one area where I let myself be a little un-professional when it comes to my Linkedin profile. Your formal, official, stuffy title will still be listed under the Experience section of your profile.<\/strong><\/p>\n 7. Link to it and from it.<\/strong> \u00a0Link to your Linkedin profile (using your new custom URL) from your website, blog, email signature and other social profiles.\u00a0 If you have the option to customize the html associated with the link, add a rel=\u201cme\u201d element to it. It helps search engines understand which pages are about you.\u00a0 Google+ automatically adds the rel=\u201cme\u201d element when you add \u201cOther profiles.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget, Linkedin allows you to link to 3 other web properties.\u00a0 I recommend you link to your primary business website<\/a>, your business or personal blog and another favorite social media profile other than Twitter.\u00a0 Google has a separate area to add your Twitter account, so don\u2019t waste 1 of your 3 links on Twitter.\u00a0 When selecting your links, always opt for \u201cOther\u201d instead of \u201cPersonal Website,\u201d \u201cBusiness Website,\u201d etc.\u00a0 This will allow you to create custom anchor text and include your brand in your links.<\/p>\n![\"100%](\"http:\/\/blog.123print.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/100-complete.png\" "\\"100%")
<\/p>\n![\"Edit](\"http:\/\/blog.123print.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/Edit-My-Public-Profile-URL.png\" "\\"Edit")
\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Broadcasting](\"http:\/\/blog.123print.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/LinkedIn-broadcast-1024x270.png\" "\\"Broadcasting")
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Be sure to connect your Twitter account.\u00a0 Linkedin recently added a \u201cFollow\u201d button which will let people follow your Twitter account without leaving your Linkedin profile.<\/p>\n
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