How to Make a Great Linkedin Profile - TIPS + EXAMPLES

Expert Academy
2 Jul 201908:39

TLDRThis video offers essential tips for crafting a successful LinkedIn profile, emphasizing the importance of a professional profile picture, an engaging headline, and a strong summary. It suggests using Photofeeler.com to evaluate your picture's likability, influence, and competence. The script also advises on creating a headline that includes job function, company name, key skills, and a 'zing factor' to stand out. Additionally, it highlights the value of a summary that showcases skills, strengths, and social proof, with the option to include links to websites and videos to enrich your profile.

Takeaways

  • πŸ“Έ A professional profile picture is crucial for making a good first impression on LinkedIn.
  • πŸ‘” Ensure your profile photo is a close-up with a neutral background, appropriate attire, and minimal accessories.
  • 🚫 Avoid casual or inappropriate images such as those with sunglasses, alcohol, or poor lighting for your LinkedIn profile picture.
  • πŸ€” Use Photofeeler.com to get feedback on your profile picture based on likability, influence, and competence.
  • πŸ˜ƒ Consider the balance between being likable and appearing competent and influential when choosing your profile photo.
  • πŸ–ΌοΈ Customize your background picture on LinkedIn to stand out from the default and add a professional touch.
  • πŸ”– Your headline on LinkedIn should be more than just your job title; it should attract attention and draw people into your profile.
  • πŸ”‘ Incorporate important keywords and a 'zing factor' in your headline to make it more engaging and searchable.
  • πŸ“ Write a strong summary that highlights your skills, strengths, and how you can help others or businesses grow.
  • πŸ”— Include social proof in your summary by adding links to your website, blog, SlideShare, or YouTube videos.
  • ✍️ Edit your LinkedIn profile easily to add external media, enhancing your professional presence and credibility.

Q & A

  • Why is having a good LinkedIn profile important for professional success?

    -A good LinkedIn profile is crucial for professional success because LinkedIn is the largest business-to-business social network, where potential connections, business proposals, and job opportunities can be found.

  • What are the key elements of a good LinkedIn profile picture?

    -A good LinkedIn profile picture should be a close-up, with the person looking into the camera, smiling, having a neutral background, dressed appropriately, and avoiding minimal jewelry, accessories, headwear, or sunglasses.

  • Why should you avoid certain types of pictures on LinkedIn that might be suitable for Instagram?

    -Certain types of pictures, like those with bad lighting, alcohol, or taken in casual settings, are not suitable for LinkedIn because the platform requires a professional look to attract business connections and job opportunities.

  • What is Photofeeler.com and how can it help with your LinkedIn profile picture?

    -Photofeeler.com is a free online application where professionals review your picture based on likability, influence, and competence. It helps you understand how others perceive your profile picture and make adjustments to improve it.

  • How can updating your background picture on LinkedIn enhance your profile's professionalism?

    -Updating your background picture on LinkedIn from the default blueish image to something more personalized and professional can make your profile stand out and reflect your brand or expertise more effectively.

  • What is the purpose of the headline on your LinkedIn profile?

    -The headline on your LinkedIn profile serves as an advertisement or title for your professional brand. It should draw people in and make them want to learn more about you and your professional offerings.

  • How can you make your LinkedIn headline more engaging than just using your job title?

    -You can make your headline more engaging by incorporating your job function and company name along with important keywords related to your expertise and a 'Zing factor' that adds a surprising or attention-grabbing element.

  • What is the role of the summary section in your LinkedIn profile?

    -The summary section in your LinkedIn profile allows you to explain your skills, strengths, and what you can offer to others professionally. It's also a place to add social proof like links to your website, blog, or videos.

  • How can adding external media to your LinkedIn summary enhance your profile?

    -Adding external media to your LinkedIn summary, such as links to your website, blog, or YouTube videos, can provide additional resources for viewers to learn more about your expertise and can make your profile more interactive and engaging.

  • What is the 'Zing factor' in a LinkedIn headline and why is it important?

    -The 'Zing factor' in a LinkedIn headline is an element that surprises or intrigues people, acting as a conversation starter and providing a unique aspect of your professional identity that sets you apart from others.

  • How can you get feedback on your LinkedIn profile from the video creator?

    -You can get feedback on your LinkedIn profile by leaving the link to your profile in the comments section of the video, and the video creator will review it and provide tips on how to improve it.

Outlines

00:00

πŸ“· Crafting the Perfect LinkedIn Profile Picture

This paragraph emphasizes the importance of a professional profile picture on LinkedIn, which is crucial for making a positive first impression and attracting business opportunities. It suggests avoiding casual or inappropriate images and instead opting for a close-up shot with a neutral background, appropriate attire, and minimal accessories. The speaker shares personal experience with Photofeeler.com, a tool for evaluating profile pictures based on likability, influence, and competence. The summary also touches on the option to update the background picture to stand out from the standard LinkedIn template.

05:02

πŸ”‘ Unlocking LinkedIn Success with a Compelling Headline and Summary

The second paragraph focuses on optimizing LinkedIn profiles through strategic use of the headline and summary sections. The headline should act as an advertisement, drawing people in with a combination of job function, company name, important keywords, and a 'Zing factor' to stand out. The summary should detail one's skills and strengths, potentially including social proof such as links to websites, blogs, and YouTube videos. The speaker provides examples of effective headlines and explains how to add external media to the LinkedIn summary for enhanced visibility and engagement. An offer to review viewers' LinkedIn profiles is also extended, encouraging interaction and further learning.

Mindmap

Keywords

πŸ’‘Linkedin

Linkedin is a professional networking platform that is pivotal for business-to-business interactions. It is the focus of the video as it is where 'the money is,' implying its importance for professional success. The script emphasizes the necessity of a good Linkedin profile to connect with others, receive business proposals, or land job opportunities.

πŸ’‘Profile Picture

A profile picture on Linkedin is crucial as it is the first visual impression one makes. The video script outlines the characteristics of a good profile picture: a close-up, direct gaze into the camera, a neutral background, appropriate attire, minimal jewelry, and no headwear or sunglasses. Examples of poor profile pictures are also provided to illustrate what to avoid.

πŸ’‘Photofeeler.com

Photofeeler.com is introduced as a free online application that reviews profile pictures based on likability, influence, and competence. It serves as a tool to gauge and improve one's Linkedin profile picture, as demonstrated by the script with the example of the speaker's own profile picture ratings.

πŸ’‘Background Picture

The background picture on Linkedin is an often overlooked aspect that can enhance one's professional image. The script suggests customizing it to stand out from the default blueish background, using Tara Hunt's background picture as an example of effective communication of one's professional identity.

πŸ’‘Headline

The headline on Linkedin is compared to an ad title, meant to draw people into one's profile. The script advises against using just the job title, which can be mundane, and instead recommends incorporating job function, company name, important keywords, and a 'Zing factor' to make it more enticing.

πŸ’‘Keywords

Keywords are essential in a Linkedin headline to make one's profile discoverable through search. The script explains that including terms related to one's expertise, such as 'SEO' or 'e-mail marketing,' can attract the right audience looking for those specific skills.

πŸ’‘Zing factor

The 'Zing factor' is a unique element added to one's Linkedin headline to surprise and engage viewers. It acts as a conversation starter and adds personality to the professional presentation. The script illustrates this with examples from the speaker's and Tim Queen's Linkedin profiles.

πŸ’‘Summary

The summary section of a Linkedin profile is an opportunity to articulate one's skills, strengths, and the value one can offer. The script advises including social proof such as links to websites, blogs, slide shares, and YouTube videos to enrich the profile and provide tangible evidence of one's expertise.

πŸ’‘Social Proof

Social proof in the context of a Linkedin profile refers to the inclusion of links and media that validate one's claims of expertise and success. The script demonstrates how to add such links to a profile, enhancing credibility and engaging viewers with additional resources.

πŸ’‘Professional Growth

The term 'professional growth' is used in the script to describe the speaker's role in helping others develop in their careers. It underscores the value proposition one should communicate in their Linkedin summary, showcasing how they can contribute to others' advancement.

Highlights

LinkedIn is the biggest business to business social network in the world.

Having a good LinkedIn profile is crucial for success on the platform.

Your profile picture plays a significant role in how people perceive you on LinkedIn.

A good profile picture should be a close-up with a neutral background and appropriate attire.

Avoid wearing excessive jewelry, accessories, or sunglasses in your profile picture.

Photofeeler.com can help you assess your profile picture's likability, influence, and competence.

Choosing between likability and professionalism in your profile picture is essential.

Updating your background picture can make your LinkedIn profile stand out.

Your headline on LinkedIn should act as an advertisement to draw people in.

Enhance your headline by including your job function, company name, and important keywords.

Adding a 'Zing factor' to your headline can make it more engaging and memorable.

Keywords in your headline can help others find your profile when searching on LinkedIn.

Writing a strong summary is key to showcasing your skills and strengths on LinkedIn.

Including social proof in your summary can add credibility to your profile.

You can easily add links to your website, blog, or YouTube videos in your LinkedIn summary.

The video offers to review viewers' LinkedIn profiles and provide feedback for improvement.

Engaging with the video by liking and subscribing can help viewers stay updated on future content.