Are you still trying to figure out how to win the title of superwoman, while still being “LinkedIn” to all of the important things that are taking place around the world?
Managing a career, a partnership, and kids can be enough to make you want to clone three more versions of you. Even if you are single and childless, life’s responsibilities still find a way to leave you with limited “free” time. Then, the social media trends are pressuring you to either be active online or get left behind. You don’t even have time for yourself, so how can you be loyal to any type of social media?
If you are a woman in business who is seeking to connect with people from all over the world and expand your impact, you are doing yourself a huge disservice if you are neglecting your LinkedIn Profile. LinkedIn is the #1 professional network in the world, gathering over 400 million users in order to exchange value and share connections.
Are you concerned about adding another activity to your daily schedule? Ten minutes is all you need in order to take a step towards professional online credibility. Here are four LinkedIn updates that you can make to instantly enhance your profile.
1. Upload a Professional Profile Picture
Your picture is the first thing people will pay attention to, so you want to make sure it is the best representation of you. Don’t be naive – looks matter. Your profile picture should represent your professional future. Think “Dress to impress!” Don’t take a selfie. Get it professionally done to show that you take pride in your presentation.
The worst thing you can do is not have any picture. You don’t want to miss out on opportunities because you are too afraid to share your picture on LinkedIn.
2. Update Your URL
You can identify a LinkedIn rookie a mile away; just view the user’s URL. If there are random numbers behind the name, you know that the person may not be as LinkedIn savvy or active as the average user.
You can update your URL in four easy steps:
- Find your unique URL under the profile picture.
- Click on the icon to the right of your URL to update your public profile settings.
- On the right of the screen, you have the option to customize your URL. Click on the pencil next to the URL in order to make changes.
- Scroll down to save your changes.
3. Create a Memorable Headline
LinkedIn tells you what your headline should be. Your headline automatically defaults to the current job title that you have. So if your headline says consultant, entrepreneur, accountant, or teacher, you need to rethink the message that you are sending to the world. How does your headline differentiate you from the thousands of other users who perform the same type of job?
In 120 characters or less, you have the freedom to be as creative as you want to be. Think about your target audience and what words would capture their attention. Fill your headline with buzzwords and descriptions that demonstrate what you can do and how you can improve the lives of others.
When people Google your name, your LinkedIn profile will most likely appear in the top four search results. People will immediately see your headline in their Google searches, so you want to make sure that it provides bait and makes a statement that motivates others to want to know more about you. This is how you remain relevant and in high demand.
4. Add Your Contact Information
How can people work with you if they can’t contact you?
Make sure your preferred method for others to contact you is visible on your LinkedIn Profile. Your preferred email address should be listed more than once on your profile. Update the contact section of your profile, include an email address or phone number in your summary, and add your best contact information in the additional information section of your profile.
LinkedIn allows you to manage your professional identity and you should take full advantage. Don’t become overwhelmed with the need to create an all-star profile or be in the top 5% of profiles among your connections. Start taking small steps now and continue to learn more about ways that you can improve your profile.
Who knows? Your LinkedIn activity may increase your productivity and give you more time to do the things you love with the people you love. This is the true gift of being LinkedIn!
Charlene Rhinehart
After being the first Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to win the title of Ms. Corporate America 2015 in a pageant held in Orlando, Fl, Charlene Rhinehart created the Career Goddess Academy to help female millennials attract career success and a lifestyle they love. She is also the Managing Director of CEO Unlimited LLC – a professional training consulting firm designed to help small business entrepreneurs and career driven employees create endless opportunities through online professional branding, career advancement resources, diversity and inclusion consulting, and workplace solutions. Charlene has been featured as a contributor for The Huffington Post, Your Coffee Break, Addicted2Success, and other publications on the web.
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