By Jasmine Agyemang
Online consumption has increased significantly in the last year due to the pandemic, which makes sense. But did you know that creating a robust LinkedIn profile for company executives can actually impact the bottom line of your business?
With more than 700 million users on LinkedIn, executives can build trust and attract top talent while displaying their company’s mission and values across a growing network of connections. However, tapping into the numerous benefits of the platform requires executives to intentionally and consistently prioritize and curate their online presence.
Need some guidance on where to start? Here are five tips for creating a standout LinkedIn profile:
- Start with a good profile picture. One of the first pieces of content anyone sees on LinkedIn is your profile picture. People are more likely to connect with and trust a profile that includes a photo. LinkedIn profiles with photos get viewed 21 times more often and receive 36 times more messages than profiles without a photo. Remember, the picture doesn’t have to be an expensive headshot, but be sure it’s high quality and professional. Additionally, a high-quality cover photo representative of your company’s brand can also enhance your profile.
- Be thoughtful in the “about” section of your profile. Writing a strong, concise summary of your specialties and experience adds substance and context to your profile. Executives should include keywords that relate to their expertise (i.e. change management, content strategy, diversity and inclusion, etc.), as well as provide a glimpse into their passion for or interest in the field or industry in which they work. Don’t miss the opportunity to tell your story, providing insight into who you are (professionally, of course) in addition to what you do.
- Include relevant career experience, volunteer activities and education. Ensure career information is current and consistent across your previous roles. When adding career information, it’s important to link your current role to your company’s LinkedIn page, which sends people directly to your company’s profile for awareness. If you want to truly to have a standout profile, include any volunteer activities, education experience and skills related to your expertise.
- Publish strategic posts and engage with your network. Don’t just be a social media spectator; engage with your network by commenting on posts, writing a recommendation for a current or former colleague and ask others to do the same for you. With 45% of upper-level employees reading posts on LinkedIn, the platform provides a unique opportunity to share thought leadership related to your expertise with interested audiences.
- Join groups on LinkedIn. LinkedIn groups are a great resource for staying up to date with industry trends. These groups can also be beneficial when recruiting, as they allow you to connect with peers and professionals within your field. By joining groups, you and your company can gain greater visibility for your brand and even drive others to your company’s website by sharing content within the group.
When leveraged properly, LinkedIn can help executives and companies engage with employees, as well as consumers, while increasing brand awareness among relevant audiences. Plus, as an owned channel, LinkedIn allows leaders to curate and share their own stories while also benefiting the company through added visibility and demonstrated expertise to increase brand awareness, reputation and overall bottom line.
Do you need help creating a robust LinkedIn profile? Connect with our team, and we would be happy to help.
