Build your brand on LinkedIn with these tips from our experts

Having a strong online presence will come in handy when you are on a job search. Building your brand online is one of the smartest career moves you can make, no matter your industry. LinkedIn is one of the most popular professional platforms for industry experts to start creating and building their personal brand on.

Personal branding is not just about self-promotion. It is a way of highlighting your unique value proposition for the world to see. So, how can you build your brand on LinkedIn?

Use a professional profile picture

Do you have a picture of your pet as your LinkedIn profile picture? Then, you should remove it at once. No matter how wise a German Shepherd looks, no one will want to get real estate advice from one. Your profile picture is a very important element of your LinkedIn profile. Here’s what you should do:

• Use a high-quality professional photograph
• Ensure the lighting is good
• Upload a recent photograph of you
• A little smile is ideal for your expression on the photo
• Choose a background that aligns with your brand.

Create a catchy profile headline

If your LinkedIn profile headline is the same bland “Experienced healthcare professional,” as every other doctor in your town, you will not be standing out. The headline of your profile should be something out of the box. It should not just mention your job title, but also your experience, industry, and talents. Avoid clichéd phrases like “go-getter,” and “creative individual,” and write something authentic. Here are five tips to help you along:

• Be clear and specific – Mention your current role and a few industry-specific keywords
• Highlight your unique value proposition – What do you bring to the table that the other professionals do not?
• Quantify your achievements – Numbers tend to catch more attention. Use real data from your results to impress.
• Showcase your personality – Do you have a great sense of humor? Bring it out through your profile headline.
• Use hashtags – Hashtags related to your job and industry will improve the searchability of your profile.

Make your profile search-friendly

One of the first things you must do is use SEO to make your profile visible to those who search for you. There are a few ways in which you can SEO your LinkedIn profile:

• Use keywords in your profile - Use keywords that describe your skills and experiences when building your profile.
• Customize the URL – Optimize your LinkedIn profile URL with SEO. Instead of just your name, it can read something like /John-Smith-Architect.
• Employ hashtags – Hashtags make your content discoverable across the platform. Use related hashtags to boost the audience for your content.
• Be active on the platform – Being active on LinkedIn will give you more opportunities to interact with your network. Sharing content, joining discussions, and liking others’ posts daily are good moves.

Create a strong summary for your profile

Treat the LinkedIn profile summary as an elevator pitch you make for a potential employer or client. What do you want them to know about you first? Your profile summary should be short and concise. Your main goal when writing the LinkedIn profile summary should be to paint a clear picture of your best skills, experiences, and achievements.

• Start with a strong opening line – The opening sentence of your summary should be captivating the audience.
• Highlight your biggest selling points – What sets you apart from the other professionals with the same job title?
• Review your career journey – Concisely describe how you climbed up the career ladder and highlight key milestones.
• Emphasize achievements – Your professional achievements need to be described in your summary, showing the impact on the employer.
• Focus on your goals – Share with your audience what you are planning to achieve in your career as a professional.