A proper guide to get maximum visibility for your LinkedIn profile

A simple underutilized account will never serve the purpose of the account holder on LinkedIn. Users need to follow simple basic steps to get the required attention and visibility for their LinkedIn profiles that have impressive impact for visitors.

1. Basic entries for the profile: A person’s LinkedIn profile is a reflection of their professional image online. Therefore, it is important to complete all the required fields of the basic elements of the profile in order to convey a positive personality to others.

• For impressive visual impact, the ‘screen image’ must have a professional appearance. It is important to upload a higher quality image, well-lit close-ups of 200*200 pixels.

• The next important step is to customize your ‘Profile URL’ so that people can easily find you. To customize your ‘Profile URL’, the first step is to click the ‘Me’ icon at the top of the LinkedIn home page and then select ‘View Profile’. The user then needs to click ‘edit public profile and URL’ on the right of their profile page. The next step is to click the ‘Edit’ icon next to the public profile URL and then insert the name without spaces and then click ‘Save’.

• Another crucial step is to optimize the ‘headline’ that appears below the profile user’s name, as the headline is the most searchable and visible. The character limit for this field is 120, and it’s important to use relevant keywords that your target audience uses frequently.

To add or make any edits to the ‘title’, click the ‘Me’ icon at the top of the home page and select ‘View Profile’. The next step is to click the ‘Edit and’ icon then enter new content in the input dialog and then click ‘save’.

• The next step is to customize the ‘contact information’ as it rewards the user with more visibility. Click on the ‘Me’ icon to add contact information and then select ‘View Profile’. Click the ‘Edit’ icon on the right next to Contact & Personal Information.

• On LinkedIn, professionals can feature themselves and their work and achievements via ‘video’. A video is an excellent means of presentation, since it immediately makes a difference with others. You can also upload an introductory video to a host site and then share the video link to LinkedIn.

To add a video intro to a LinkedIn profile, a user needs to click on the ‘Me’ icon and select ‘View Profile’ and then click on the ‘edit’ icon and then scroll down to the ‘media’ section. Then paste the link to your video and then click ‘add’. Then enter the title and description of the video in the media dialog and then click ‘apply’ and ‘save’.

• The next thing that awaits the user is to earn ‘recommendations and endorsements’. A user needs to use high volume search phrases to show her skills and ability to get endorsements. The first step in getting approved is to add skills by clicking on the ‘Me’ icon and then selecting ‘View Profile’. Then add new skills in the skills and approval section and then click ‘Add’. The recommendation is important in building prospects. To get recommendations, click the ‘Request to be recommended’ link, fill out the field and submit your request.

• The next big step is to share qualification certificates, awards and professional certificates, since it is the vital aspect of a LinkedIn profile.

To add grading details, click on the ‘+ sign’ in the education section. Enter the details in the dialog about your school, universities, and degrees. You can also add a video that is relevant. To add achievements or certifications, click on the ‘+ sign’ in the achievements section and select from the list. Required details can also be entered in the dialog box.

2. Refine communication:

For a LinkedIn profile, it is important to be personable as the user communicates directly with the visitor. Therefore, it is important to write in the first person as if you are speaking directly to the person you are willing to proceed with on professional terms.

LinkedIn users can maximize the visibility of their profile by contributing articles. Open ‘LinkedIn Publishing Tools’ by clicking ‘Write an Article’. To edit drafts, click on the ‘Me’ icon and then select ‘posts and activity’.

For more exposure, you can also share your article on other platforms like Twitter by asking LinkedIn editors to feature their articles by tweeting “tip@LinkedIn Editors” along with the link to your article.

3. Expansion of the network:

You can expand your network on LinkedIn by applying various strategies. Use the ‘Search’ feature to find your target audience or you can also include a link to connect to your email, signature, blog and website to direct your target audience.

If you are happy with the list of people in your network, send them an invitation by clicking ‘Add connection’.

LinkedIn also recommends groups for you to expand your network. This professional social site has all kinds of groups that will give you wide exposure to your target audience.

Start searching for your “Group” by inserting keywords or group name into the search box and click ‘search’.

4. Generate potential inbound links:

Importing inbound links to your LinkedIn profile from anywhere on the web will make your profile more credible. If you post a blog or article on any popular site, link it to your LinkedIn profile. This will increase the appearance of your profile in search results.