How to make a good LinkedIn profile – things to keep in mind
Here’s a few ideas on how to make a LinkedIn profile that both promotes you and your freelance business:
Great photos – a professional photo will show who you are and is part of your brand image. It should be a photo of you on your own with a neutral background and good lighting. Remember, you can set a background photo as well as a profile picture.
Ask for recommendations – if you’ve worked closely with a client and you know they’re happy with your work, why not request a recommendation from them via the platform? This endorsement can go a long way and you could even use the testimonial in your marketing (but ask permission first).
Brand identity – keep a consistent style when you post, whether that’s how you use humour or types of topics you post about. This all forms part of your business’s brand identity.
Post regularly – your content can be related to your achievements, day-to-day business wins, or thoughts about your industry as a whole. The main thing is to keep active on the profile and keep your connections engaged.
Want to promote your profile further? You can create a unique public URL for your profile which can help people find you in search results.
Not sure what to post about? Our guide to social media storytelling has more on building a community on social.
What if we said you could actually attract more clients to your business and services by posting on your LinkedIn profile? In today’s crowded market it’s important to try to stand out.
As well as building connections on your personal profile, you might like to create a company page too. Depending on your trade, this can work well for building a brand and also attracting people to come and work for you. Your page should clearly communicate your mission, vision, and values as a brand and can help raise your profile.
Charlotte uses LinkedIn to promote her copywriting services but recommends not taking it too seriously. She says: “Yes, it’s a business networking platform, but at the end of the day businesses can’t read. Approach it as though you’re talking to people – because you are.
“Be approachable, friendly and willing to share your knowledge, and you’ll see good results.”
You could also consider LinkedIn advertising. This is a way for companies to get more people to see specific posts by paying to promote certain content so it can reach a wider audience. Just make sure you’ve got a clear budget and marketing plan if you go down this route.
If you’re thinking about using paid ads to promote your business, read our guide to advertising on social media.
Source: The secret to creating a winning LinkedIn profile
