Sites like LinkedIn are user-friendly and provide an excellent foundation to self-promote and network. Creating and maintaining a personal brand and social media profile is the new way in which entrepreneurs, job seekers, and those promoting their talents choose to get their message out. However, profiles can become cluttered with outdated information, ultimately concealing your brand, and intended message.
Five Tips for a LinkedIn Profile Refresh
If you think this is happening to your LinkedIn profile, here are a few timely tips to refresh your profile and kickstart the buzz for 2022.
1. Declutter Your Information
Consider purging the extraneous clutter on your profile. Review the information and photos, keeping only the information that lends strength and value to your brand. Archive the rest. Many of us continue piling on information without realizing that this may do more harm than good, distracting visitors, potential employers, and clients from what we want them to notice.
2. Enhance Your Brand, Update Your Theme
Profiles can look tired and neglected very quickly on social media. People check their connections frequently, browsing or engaging with others in their network about business and information. Adjust your theme to represent who you are now. If you seek to attract those in your industry and potential employers or clients, emphasize your new goals, ideas, and projections.
3. Summarize Your Story
Use the summary area to tell your story and explain how your skills have meaning to your goals and purpose. Use your experience to demonstrate your superpower, what you want to be recognized for, and employ unique keywords in your title, avoiding overused buzzwords.
4. Use New Photographs
A picture is worth a thousand words, which applies when representing you and your brand. LinkedIn profile pictures introduce new people to you and make a big first impression. Depending on your business or industry, choose a photo that is an accurate and flattering representation of you, and keep the spotlight on yourself and not a long-distance perspective. Professional headshots always work the best for their quality and lighting. Smile with your eyes as if you are saying hello in person.
The background photo should enhance your brand and provide context for your profile. Combined with your headshot, this picture will make your page pop, grab attention, and keep it memorable.
5. Engage and Communicate
Follow up with people that have connected with you in the news feeds so that you stay at the forefront of their minds and regularly interact with other profiles in your network. It keeps your name in the ring and shows that you are active and interested in others. People will notice the LinkedIn updates on your profile that show recent activity. Posting and commenting on various topics will indicate skills and interests beyond your advertised professional knowledge and promote a three-dimensional online identity.
A Few Bonus Tips
- Start refreshing your LinkedIn profile by stepping back and reviewing your content.
- Remain consistent and current, spicing up your posts with catchy industry-related stories.
- Let people know that you are present, share ideas and insights, and respond to other posts with likes or comments.
And finally, connect with other professionals in your coworking community to get different perspectives on how to represent yourself. Rebooting your profile will enhance your brand and lead you to LinkedIn success for 2022.
