In the slew of hundreds social media platforms available today, it’s no wonder that social media can induce vertigo in business owners. That’s why it’s critical to identify which platforms offer the highest return for your time and chances are that LinkedIn is going to rank at the top of the list. LinkedIn is specifically designed for professionals and allows experts and leaders to position themselves in an outstanding way.
LinkedIn for Business
With over 300 million users around the world, LinkedIn is a powerful business tool that helps professionals make and establish connections with colleagues in related industries, and even reach out to potential clients. Unlike Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn is strictly business – though a strong sense of style and personality should still shine through in every profile.
You can send messages, join groups, even hunt for new recruits, but the most important business boost is determined by how the profile page is pieced together.
The Power of the Profile
Every LinkedIn user begins by crafting his or her free personal profile. Each profile represents a brand’s presence, not only to other users but to anyone who searches from anywhere on the internet.
Thoughtfully constructed profiles can radically increase a business’s visibility and allow individuals to position themselves as leaders and experts within their particular industries.
Most visitors to profile pages will spend precious few moments glancing through the content before forming a snap judgment. Therefore, it’s critical to put some thought into every aspect – beginning with the profile photo. It’s best to select a professional looking headshot with good lighting, a plain background, and a great smile. Sunglasses, group shots, and artistic license should be reserved for Facebook albums.
Because every LinkedIn profile is visible across the internet, they should be as search engine friendly as possible. The first way to ensure high rankings in search results is to add keyword phrases to the heading. The LinkedIn URL can also be customised by going to Profile > Edit > Edit Contact Info and selecting Your Public Profile URL. Replace the random numbers with your name (and no spaces).
Once the title and URL are search engine optimised, you should work your way down, filling in every content field with correct and up-to-date information. A comprehensive, well organised profile complete with accurate contact information is hard to resist.
Sure a LinkedIn profile is a resume, but it is so much more than that. It’s best to inject a bit of life into the personal summary by writing in first person, conveying experiences/expertise, interests/specialties and keeping the whole section under 2000 characters. Then, the work history should provide all the missing details and should be equally well organised and comprehensive.
Finally, before clicking save, you should spend a moment filling in the Publications section. For thought leaders and experts, this section is the LinkedIn powerhouse. Here you can upload links to your online media coverage, publications, eBooks, and articles.
For businesses breaking into the social scene, LinkedIn is the perfect platform for showcasing expertise and trustworthiness. These simple tips lead to strategically crafted profile that is far more complete, far more dynamic, and far more compelling than a traditional resume could ever hope to be.
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Sydney Social Media and Public Relations Agency, CP Communications blends cutting edge offline and online PR and social media to help you gain a competitive advantage. Contact us today. For more great tips visit our website www.cpcommunications.com.au.
