9 STEPS TO OPTIMIZING LINKEDIN FOR BUSINESS, PERSONAL BRANDING & CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Anfernee Chansamooth

1. WOW Up Your Profile• Start with asking yourself “What do I want to be known for in 12 months from

now?” • Design your profile based on your answer

• For highest SEO ranking, use keywords in • Name• Headline• Company Name• Job Title• Skills (use 5-10 max)• Job Experience section

• Make your headline catchy• Add email to headline so people can contact you directly without going

through LinkedIn• Show your face – use a great photo

1. WOW Up Your Profile (cont.)• Add endorsements & recommendations – get friends and clients to endorse you, and give you written recommendations (give first)

• Showcase your achievements – projects, publications, honours & awards, patents, volunteering.

• Link company page to your current work information• Update regularly

1. WOW Up Your Profile (cont.)• Add the skills you want to be known for to your profile & ask people to endorse them.

• Use popular keywords that recruiters & others might search for.

• Limit your skills and endorsements to 5-10 skills only.

1. WOW Up Your Profile (cont.)• Upload a cover image• Optimal resolution: 1400 x 425 pixels• Give a taste of what you do & who you are• Use Canva.com to create the image yourself (free)

2. Go VisualUse an emotional banner image for your company’s page and incorporate video.

3. Optimize the “About” Section• Gear it towards B2B• Make it SEO and keyword friendly

4. Used LinkedIn Polls• Ask thought-provoking questions about trending news in your industry. Become the thought-leader.

• Join groups and begin discussions based on the results of the polls.

5. Share Links• Share other people’s stuff (great way to promote your clients’ content)

• Make your brand THE source of information

6. Feature your team (& clients)• Take advantage of the visual element.• Potential B2B customers may connect more with a profile of the employee than the business itself.

7. Create a Group• Establishes you as the thought leader in your industry• Focus on What’s In It For Them (WIIFT). Add value by sharing industry news, best practises, new ideas, obstacles, etc.

8. Publish an article on Pulse• Establishes you as the thought leader in your industry• Tap into Linkedin’s audience.

9. Upload your presentation to Slideshare• 60 million visitors a month head to Slideshare.• Slideshare SEO is outstanding. • It will help you win a new audience.• Other benefits here: http://writtent.com/blog/10-ways-slideshare-can-benefit-your-social-media-

strategy/

References• Ignite Social Media- 7 Ways to Optimize Your LinkedIn Company Profile for B2B Conversion

• http://www.ignitesocialmedia.com/linkedin-marketing/optimize-your-linkedin-profile-for-b2b-conversions/

• Harvard Extension School – Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile: A Checklist

• http://www.extension.harvard.edu/hub/blog/extension-blog/optimizing-your-linkedin-profile-checklist

• Social Media Today - Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile For Exposure and Engagement: 11 Tips

• http://socialmediatoday.com/stephaniefrasco/1403626/optimize-your-linkedin-profile-exposure-and-engagement

Recommended Resources• How to Use LinkedIn: 35 LinkedIn Tips for Professional Networking, Business & Marketing

• http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/23454/The-Ultimate-Cheat-Sheet-for-Mastering-LinkedIn.aspx

• How to Master Content Marketing on LinkedIn• http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/linkedin-content-marketing

• Free resources, templates & 3 step system for mastering LinkedIn

• http://linkfluencer.com/

• Why LinkedIn is the Most Powerful Marketing Tool of the 21st Century

• http://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140825215251-12480318-why-linkedin-is-the-most-powerful-marketing-tool-of-the-21st-century?trk=prof-post

Connect With Anfernee • anferneec.com • https://twitter.com/AnferneeC • https://www.facebook.com/AnfConsulting/ • http://au.linkedin.com/in/achansamooth