Lesson Introduction
Before you start changing individual sections, use this checklist to identify what needs attention. The aim is to spot gaps, inconsistencies and obvious weaknesses so you know where to focus your work.
Work through the questions below before you start editing. Each item links naturally to a specialist lesson where the detailed work belongs.
1. Is Your Identity Clear?
Check that your name and identity information are accurate, professional and consistent with how you want to be known. If you plan to use LinkedIn® verification, make sure your profile name can be matched to the identity route you intend to use.
Expert Tip
How you choose to represent yourself On LinkedIn® has an impact on your discoverability, networking, the LinkedIn® algorithm, and your ability to become a Verified Profile. Here are my suggestions, which you are completely entitled to ignore if your personal preferences differ.
- Use Your Proper Name: If you plan to become a Verified Profile using government issued I.D., use your First and Last Name as it appears on your Passport, Goverment Issued ID, or other Verifiable ID Document. This means using David instead of Dave, Sharon instead of Shaz, Michael instead of Mike, and Rebecca instead of Bex.
- Avoid Using Emoji’s in your Name: People use them to stand out in the crowd, but it is your content and engagement that makes you stand out in the crowd and gets you noticed. Consider whether an emoji adds any value to your professional profile.
- Consider the use of using Qualifications in your Name: Include them if they add value to to your personal identity. An alternative is to include them in your Headline.
2. Does Your Profile Represent You Well?
Covered in-depth in another lesson in this course
3. Is Your Introduction Information Current?
Here you can specify how you prefer to be referred.
- She/Her
- He/Him
- They/Them
- Custom
You can also leave this blank.
4. Does Your Headline Explain Your Relevance?
Covered in-depth in another lesson in this course
5. Is Your Current Role Correct?
Choose from the drop down list.
Covered in-depth in another course in this series
6. Is Your Industry Accurate?
Choose your Industry.
- Starting typing
- Select one from the suggestions
- Choose the one that best represents your personal industry
Frustratingly, there are bunch missing.
Expert Tip
I work for an International Publishing Company. Most would say that it is in the Publishing industry. I agree. But it’s not my industry!
My whole professional career has been about Marketing. So my personal industry is set to Marketing Services.
Your industry helps LinkedIn® and other members understand the professional area you work in. Choose the option that best represents your own work rather than automatically copying your employer’s industry.
7. Is Your Education Current?
Add education as appropriate.
Covered indepth in another course in this series
8. Is Your Location Accurate?
- Enter Postcode / Zip Code
- Select Location from the suggestions
- Tick the box to Show badge in my intro
Note
- I live in a small town with a total population of just 72,000 people.
- I work in a City with a total population of only 143,000 people.
- Both are just 90 miles from the City of London, with a population of 8.9 Million people.
- There are 100,000’s more LinkedIn® users in 8.9 Million than 72,000 or 143,000.
Use a location that accurately represents where you live, work or operate professionally. Your location helps people understand your professional geography and can influence whether you appear relevant to location-based searches.
Check that the location shown supports the way you want clients, employers and professional contacts to understand where you are based or active.
LinkedIn® Premium Notes
- Open Profile: This feature allows anyone On LinkedIn® to contact you directly for free, even if they are not connected with you.
- Profile Premium Badge: The gold badge will be displayed on your profile and next to your name in search results.
- Custom Button: As a Premium Busines Member, show people the best way to engage with you by adding a custom button to the top of your profile. Currently you can choose from Visit my website, Visit my store, View my portfolio, View my blog, and Book an appointment. More are planned. A super-cool feature is that you can tick a box to Increase button visibility on your posts, messages, and search results
- We saw a big increase in traffic to the website added as a custom button. The View my portfolio button performed better than the View my website button.
CONCLUSION
All of these components of your LinkedIn® Profile are crucial to creating a solid foundation for your presence and discoverablity On LinkedIn®. By completed these elements will have taken signicant steps to standing out from the crowd.
Action
Edit as appropriate using the guidelines in this lesson.
Where to Find These Settings
- Click your photo
- Click View profile
- Click the pencil icon
Lessons in this series…
