5 Ways to Maximize Your LinkedIn Profile
Posted by Tom Humbarger on July 30, 2008
Most professionals are using LinkedIn as their professional and permanent resume today, but most are not taking advantage of some very simple ways to maximize their exposure in LinkedIn.
Here are 5 simple steps you can take to modify your LinkedIn profile for maximum impact:
1. Add a picture
- Having a picture in your profile is a simple way to let people visualize you or remember you, and it adds a personal touch to the profile.
2. Update your status
- You should frequently update your status so people who visit your profile can see what you’re up to. The status update also appears in the Network Updates stream for your contacts.
3. Get recommended
- I always like to see profiles with recommendations and generally read them as it gives me a broader and more complete picture of a person. Profiles with recommendations show that you have current or former colleagues that care enough about you to take the time to add a profile. Go to the Recommendations tab on your profile to request recommendations from your connections…and remember that you should likely reply in kind with a recommendation too.
4. Update websites
- LinkedIn lets you add up to 3 links to your profile. Many people add their company website and/or blog. The trick is to select the Other option because this lets you label your link instead of using the default name provided by LinkedIn. You can get more visibility for your website by customizing with your name instead of the default “My Website”.
5. Get your name in your public profile
- LinkedIn will provide you with a generic public profile link, but I recommend that you chose one that has your name in it. This makes it easier to provide your LinkedIn profile to others as it adds a personal touch to the link.
These 5 simple steps will go a long way to update your LinkedIn profile. I have copied my profile below so you can visualize the changes.
5 Ways to Maximize Your LinkedIn Profile (updated 11/12/09)
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November 23, 2009 Update – I just wrote a follow-up blog post called Maximizing your LinkedIn Profile – Advanced Version which takes building up your LinkedIn profile to the next level. Check it out if you are ready to step up your LinkedIn game even more!
Gina said
Great post about LinkedIn, Tom! I optimized my profile about a month ago and it’s helped Salesconx get more users! Salesconx is similar to LinkedIn but instead of just adding contacts, our users buy and sell them. Think of us as a combo of LinkedIn and Ebay. We’re growing everyday thanks to the Sales 2.0 and Web 2.0 boom going on right now, which is great. Definitely take a peek if you think it would benefit you in any way!
Can’t wait for more great entries!
-Gina
Marketing Manager
http://www.salesconx.com
Artyom said
Tom,
Thank you for the useful information.
Jason Martin said
Thanks for your “5 Ways” post, Tom. They are good lessons for anyone who wants to be seen and remembered!
Jason Martin
Online Marketing Manager
F+W Media
http://www.fwmedia.com
Laura Butler said
Thanks for the great info. For a newbie to social networking your recommendations are helping me to understand exactly how SN works and to see what the benefits are. I’ll soon be onboard.
Laura Butler
VP Coaching & Program Development
WorkLife Performance Consulting
David Yelle said
Thank you. I am new and found your hints quite helpful including the picture.
filmcoop said
Thanks Tom,
Selecting “other” for websites makes a HUGE difference!
Alison Richards
Director Producer
Film Co-Op – Motion Picture Collaborative
Los Angeles, Vancouver, London, Dubai
jitendra vyas said
how can i show my recommendation text in public prifle
George Boulden said
Thanks Tom for the clear, concise and practical advice, which I found very helpful.
Best wishes
George
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