LinkedIn is one of the largest platforms that challenges professionals to build strong networks, hire new employees, find new job opportunities and stay current with industry news and trends. It can also be used to network with peers, prospects and others, to help set yourself apart as a thought leader, and to build strong connections which can take your career and business to the next level. The question is: Is your LinkedIn profile strong enough and up-to-date to handle this challenge?
When done right, your LinkedIn profile tells everyone who you are and represents your personal brand in a way that differentiates you from others. Does your LinkedIn profile reflect where you are on both a personal and business level? If not, it’s time to give it a fresh, new update!
Though the following sections by no means reflect all the opportunities available to you for your profile, these 5 areas reflect the key areas to focus on first when refreshing your profile for 2023.
Profile Picture
LinkedIn is a person-to-person networking platform, so it makes sense that people want to see what you look like. If you haven’t updated your profile picture in a while (or in years!), now is a good time to update your profile picture. Be sure your profile picture conveys professionalism appropriate to your profession, but that still reflects what makes you uniquely you.
Background Image
When designing your background image, use fonts and colors that match your brand guidelines. Remember that a plain background can immediately attract attention simply because it’s not distracting. It’s often best to avoid busy backgrounds unless you are in the business of creating pictures or illustrations that depict your own creative work.
Headline
Your headline needs to say who you are, what you do, and in a language your target audience understands and resonates with. It’s important to spend time on this one-liner! Choose keywords and descriptive words that show your exact skill set, your current or most recent job title and/or how you’re a good match for new opportunities. For extra credence, run your headline by peers, existing clients and others in your audience to ensure it resonates.
Skills
It’s likely that your skills have shifted and that you’ve perhaps expanded some while focusing less on others. Update your skills to accurately reflect where you are now. Be sure to validate that this section also represents those relevant skills that you have acquired throughout your career. Your skills section helps to demonstrate your commitment to growing and evolving as a business owner.
Experience
Link your job to the company you work for. If it’s your own company, and you don’t yet have a business page, consider creating a branded business page to not only link in your experience section, but to also share your company updates, blogs and experiences. Doing so gives credibility to both you as a business owner and to your business. When you share your company updates, your logo will show on your profile and you will show up as the owner or as an employee who works, giving your work experience more credibility. Be sure to also link to past positions with prior organizations.
In summary, you want your LinkedIn profile to be up-to-date, professional and unique to you. By implementing the above tips, you will be able to Refresh Your LinkedIn Profile For 2023 and boost your presence for professional growth!
About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh-based marketing consulting firm providing senior-level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long-term basis. Core areas of service are business development strategies, website creation and management, social media management, marketing, strategic planning, and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business.