How to create a professional LinkedIn profile

LinkedIn is more than just a social networking platform for professionals - it's a website within one of the largest search directories in the world!

With over 800 million users, your LinkedIn profile has the potential to make a big impact on your career and your brand.

The first thing that people will check out is your profile page, and they will do it far before doing business with you so it's important to make a good first impression. 

Here are the 7 things I look for in a profile page when I am scoping out someone's profile:

1. Make sure the headline tells what you do, who you help and how you help them. Don't just use your title.
2. Completed About Section, this is a perfect place to tell a story about YOU! You can use your story to help people relate to the same struggles they are having. 
3. Attractive headshot but not a stuffy one. I'm all for professional but make sure you don't look like a used car salesman. Make sure it reflects YOU.
4. Use the featured section to send people off the website. So many people just use this to post their top post. This is a perfect way to use LinkedIn as a source of traffic.
5. Recommendations and Testimonials - This is how you build social proof. Make sure you are actively asking people if they would write you a testimonial and let these build up over time, they speak to your experience.
6. Use the Video Intro - Did you know that LinkedIn will allow you to record a 30 second intro video and put it behind your headshot? Not many are doing this so its a perfect way for you to stand out!
7. Use the 'custom URL' at the top your profile and be selective where you send people, also change the text to be something exciting and intriguing. Don't just send to your main site where people will get lost, send them exactly where you want them to go!

If you want to dive deeper into the world of LinkedIn, make sure to check out the LinkedIn Advantage mini-course that thought leader and Keynote Speaker Danny Langloss and I put together on how to grow your audience and attract the right tribe to you! 

This is a perfect way to start growing your brand and fueling your business and positioning you as a thought leader in your Niche. 

You can also join the Free 5 Day LinkedIn ATM Machine Challenge here.