10 Ways to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn (LI) is a wonderful B2B tool for personal and professional branding, networking, sharing knowledge or ideas, learning, asking for advice and feedback, job search, talent search, and more.

Here are 10 ways to optimize your profile to help you get the most out of your profile, and help others find you.

Update your professional headline. It’s got a 120-character limit, so be specific. Save the longer description for the Summary section which allows for 2,000 characters.

Use a professional photo. Per LinkedIn, using a professional photo could result in 21 times more profile views. And, if it’s the same or similar to profile photos for your social platforms, it’s even more powerful. Size your profile image so it displays well. This is easy to do in Canva.

Customize your public profile link. This is personal branding genius. Wondering how? In the top right of your profile, click on Edit Public Profile and URL, and create your personalized URL slug. Here is an example.

Complete the Providing Services section. Choose three high-value services.

Complete the Featured section. Link to content that supports your story. For example, share a link to an article you’ve written, an article that features you, a TED Talk, your book, or a video.

Complete the Licenses & Certifications section. Let people know what specialized education and certifications you’ve earned. This sets you apart.

Update the Skills section. You can add up to 25 skills here.

Complete the Volunteering section. Let people know what you are passionate about and how you’re serving the community.

Update the Honors & Awards section. Share the public recognition you have earned.

Ask for Recommendations. Ask happy clients and trusted colleagues to share the reasons they recommend you to other professionals. This builds reputation and trust.

Pro Tips

Don't want to notify your whole network when you make updates? Me either.

To turn this off, click the top right drop-down menu of your profile under Me, and click on Settings & Privacy. Scroll down, and on the left, click on Visibility. Then, scroll down and click on Share Profile Updates with Your Network, and turn this setting Off.

There are tons of other settings you can personalize here, too.

Developing these 10 areas will help optimize profile performance and help you get found.