5 LinkedIn Personal Branding Hacks

​LinkedIn is one of the largest social media sites and the number one choice for business professionals.  Except Facebook... someone told me the Gen Z kids are using that like we use LinkedIn.  

But hey, they haven't graduated and don't own businesses just yet like us.  And I'm writing this for you--readers that have businesses, startups, and small shops with less than 5 team members.

Unlike Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other popular social sites, LinkedIn is specifically designed for business. This makes it the logical choice for anyone who wants to get leads and contacts from business owners and professionals. However, there's more to LinkedIn than simply joining and connecting with a few associates. If you want to grow your network and brand yourself, you have to know the right techniques. Let's look at some of the best hacks to effectively brand yourself on LinkedIn. 

1. Optimize Your Profile

Your profile is your calling card on LinkedIn and gives potential connections their first impression of you. It's, therefore, important to make sure you make your profile as professional and appealing as possible.

Keep these tips in mind or else...

• Use a quality photo, not a selfie or webcam shot. LinkedIn says that profiles with photos get 21x more views than those without photos. This means a photo of yourself, not a business logo, pet, or group photo. 
  
  
• Put some thought into your headline and description. Don't create just another generic description of your occupation or business. Tell people what makes you different and highlight your accomplishments. Rather than simply saying that you're a consultant, for example, say "Consultant who specializes in catapulting small businesses to the top. 7 years industry experience. Featured in publications such as Forbes and Inc."  Except that's a little long.  Keep is short and concise.
  
  
• Use a customized URL. LinkedIn lets you use a custom URL. This is a simple, free, and effective way to brand yourself and make it easier for people to find you. For example, mine is www.linkedin.com/in/handshakin.  I even bought the domain name www.mattholmes.in that forward to it, it's only ~$10 a year.  
  
  
• Create an appealing background. Don't rely on stock image. Create a custom background, whether it's an illustration, a photo of your business, or images that showcase your work.  A photo of you giving a talk or something similar can add credibility.

2. Actively Seek Endorsements

One of the best branding tools on LinkedIn are skill endorsements from your connections. Many people are glad to give you endorsements but won't necessarily think of doing so on their own. That's why you have to take the initiative and ask for endorsements.

You can do this from current and past employers, clients, co-workers, business partners, or anyone who's familiar with your skill set. Make sure you list all relevant skills. LinkedIn lists so many skills that some appear redundant. It's beneficial to list any that apply.

This gives people more chances to endorse you. Also, think of featured skills as keywords that describe you. Potential customers, clients, or employers may use any of these terms to find you.

3. Post Articles on LinkedIn

Rather than simply posting on your LinkedIn timeline, you can increase your authority by publishing full articles. As soon as you publish an article, all of your connections are automatically notified. This is also a way to get wider notice for your LinkedIn content, as the search engines often pick up these articles.

Even better, you have a chanced to get featured on LinkedIn Pulse. These articles are visible to all members, not just your connections. Getting featured is a great opportunity to expand your network and build your brand. That's why it makes sense to put some effort into publishing your best articles on LinkedIn.

Learn how Handshakin can draft your blog posts for you here.

4. Use Videos and Slideshows 

Until recently, LinkedIn was one of the least visual of social media sites. No longer. In addition to posting photos, it's quite easy to post videos as well. You can post videos on your profile as well as in your updates.

This is a powerful way to showcase your abilities or the advantages of your company. Slideshows are another effective branding tool. LinkedIn owns Slideshare and it's easy to create engaging slideshows that help you build your brand on LinkedIn. People are often more impressed with visual content than mere text.

5. Join LinkedIn Groups

Participating in LinkedIn groups is a good way to connect with people who can help you build your brand. You have to make a special effort to find groups in your industry or that have the kind of members with whom you'd like to connect. You can also start your own groups. If you do, however, understand that people won't just join unless you market it. When you join a group, take the time to post and respond to comments. This encourages readers to check out your profile and find out more about you. 
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Brand yourself and build your reputation as an expert on social media or with your own blog: contact us.