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May 27, 2016

Tips to optimize your LinkedIn for success

By Brian Williams
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LinkedIn is a great way to build a network, relationships, and meet new area business professionals but is your account optimized for success?

Too often, I get connection requests from accounts with: no profile photo, senior photo, family photo, engagement/wedding photo, or logo as their profile image.

I understand that you may not have access to a professional photographer, but having someone take your photo against a white wall with your business attire on doesn’t cost. Using an appropriate photo will help potential connections get to know you on a business level. Remember LinkedIn is not Facebook or a dating service; it was put in place to help establish connections and build relationships in your area of expertise.

Before sending out connection requests it is important to also optimize your profile by adding your work experience, education, courses taken, projects and volunteer work.

We all have had to start somewhere and didn’t have an awesome resume the first year into our career, so that’s why it’s important to highlight your experience no matter if it's just your education or volunteer work. Listing everything you have done in some fashion will help potential professionals see that you are serious about making connections. No matter if you have one year of experience or fifteen, LinkedIn is for everyone.

Another way to optimize your LinkedIn profile is to publish posts in Pulse. Publishing posts or blogs on your LinkedIn profile will do one of many things: show you are an expert in your field, notify your connections that you have published a new post, and help you show off your writing skills. Taking advantage of all LinkedIn has to offer will show your connections and possible new connections that you are serious about networking and building relationships.

The best way to foster these new found relationships is to be active! No matter the relationship, in order for it to grow you must spend time fostering it by taking the time to communicate. LinkedIn isn’t a site where you can just set up and leave it be, but you must treat it like a real relationship. Respond to your connection requests in a timely manner, endorse your connections, leave recommendations, like and comment on their updates and share updates of your own.

Also following companies, thought leaders, or joining groups on LinkedIn will give you the opportunity to join in on conversations and consume more knowledge in that area of business. Following companies or joining groups that pertain directly to your area of expertise is the best way to build those relationships and explore new opportunities.

If you are a new college graduate or someone who is ten years into their career, optimizing your LinkedIn profile is a great way to catch the eye of business professionals and to help grow your network!

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Tags: Social Media Marketing

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