While branding your LinkedIn page, it is crucial that you do everything you can to attract more viewers. This is especially true if you are looking for a job or potential business partners or clients.
I have a few tips I think can help you with your online networking goals.
Change Your Status
Even though you may be busy networking on sites like Twitter and Facebook, your LinkedIn connections are missing out on your status updates. Updating your status often with interesting content shows knowledge and interest.
When you first add your Twitter account to your LinkedIn page, it gives you the option to either share all of your tweets or only those tagged with the #in hashtag.
If you don’t like either of those options you can simply use a service like Ping.fm to forward certain tweets to your LinkedIn profile. Alternatively, you can post a status update right from LinkedIn and have it forwarded to Twitter.
Utilize Keywords
A word you hear a lot around here is keyword. Add keyword phrases to the title, summary, specialties, and experience areas of your profile. Focus on using words that you most want to be known for. In my case, I would describe myself as a Social Media Marketer and Brand Manager and use all the terminology that goes with describing such a position.
The more strong keywords you use within your profile makes it easier for you to be found through the search feature on LinkedIn, and it brands you as an expert in your field.
Answer Questions
Speaking of being an expert in your field, answering questions is a good way to get noticed. Just go up to More… and click on Answers.
On the answers page, you can browse through the categories on the right to find your specialty. Once there, start answering questions. Try not to answer any that already have too many answers to begin with. The goal here is to get noticed. If you spend time each day answering questions in your field, you will see your profile views and appearances in search results go up.
Add Apps to Your Profile
Add some apps to your profile so people have a reason to stay longer. You can also utilize applications to further prove your worth in your field.
Important apps you can add to your profile would include:
Box.net Files – So you can upload documents, past work, resumes, etc.
WordPress – Import your blog posts so you can gain more readers.
Slideshare – I’ve talked about Slideshare before. Such an important branding app!
Reading List by Amazon – Show your connections that you are an expert who reads current literature in your field.
Conclusion
If you spend a little time on your profile, you will see results. It’s important to establish goals for your brand and communicate with those who find you interesting. Always be networking!
What do you think of this article? Do you have any tips to add?
Leave a comment!
Image Credit: Mario Sundar