Whether you’re a professional employee or a business entity, you can follow these simple hacks to make your LinkedIn profile stand out from the crowd.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a consultant, an artisan, or a professional employee, LinkedIn is an invaluable social media tool that can help you build connections, stay in touch with colleagues, and above all, access opportunities in your industry. 

To help you take advantage of LinkedIn, we’ve made a list of simple tips to make your profile stand out from the crowd.

1. Customize your LinkedIn URL

You can change your LinkedIn’s URL, or to be exact, the web address of your homepage, by following these steps:

• Click the "Me" button, which you can find at the top right of your LinkedIn homepage.

• Click "View Profile."

• Click "Edit public profile & URL" at the top right side.

• At the top right side of the page, you'll see "Edit your custom URL." Below it is where you can edit and customize your public profile URL.

• Click "Save" once you're done with the editing.

If you don’t customize your LinkedIn URL, it will just show your name and some random numbers and characters–not really helpful if you want your profile to be search-engine friendly.

2. Set Up LinkedIn Groups

The main selling point of setting up your own LinkedIn Groups is the ability to email your group members once a week directly. With this feature, you can also send private messages to a targeted audience and “welcome emails” to new members without resorting to expensive email marketing. 

Instead of blatant promotion and selling, use LinkedIn Groups to position yourself as a reputable source (aka influencer) in your industry.

3. Use the "right" profile photo

A good rule of thumb is to use a headshot, also called a business portrait, which is a tightly cropped photo of the face from the shoulders up. Additionally, the subject is looking straight at the camera. 

According to studies, a LinkedIn profile with a headshot is 40% more likely to be clicked on than full body shots and “casual” photos.

Posture-wise, you should stand up straight and appear professional but not too serious to ensure that you convey friendliness and openness. 

Additionally, you should add a background banner to support your LinkedIn profile’s “written” content. Remember, this social media network allows you to add infographics, YouTube videos, etc., to your account.

4. Create an interesting and complete headline

Most people simply write their job position and what they do when making their headline. While there is nothing wrong with this approach, you can take your profile to the next level by including keywords related to your services and skills and “answers” that will benefit the readers. 

For example, a professional writer who offers business copywriting should have this headline: 

“I write content for businesses wanting to become a reputable online source in their industry,” 

instead of just writing: 

“Business copywriter for Company ABC.”

5. Tell an engaging story in your LinkedIn summary (About section)

Make sure that you spend some time writing your LinkedIn summary in a way that tells a complete story, as opposed to simply rehashing your past professional experience. A good rule of thumb is to mention what you do well, what you can bring to an employer or client, and the keywords related to your industry and target audience. 

Example of an engaging summary: 

“As a licensed HVAC professional in Northern California, I provide services to homeowners and businesses needing AC and furnace installation, HVAC maintenance and tune-up, and repair. And with in-depth knowledge in energy efficiency technology, I can help my clients lower their electricity bills and at the same time enjoy comfortable home temperature and clean indoor air quality.”

6. Identify your target audience

The content of your LinkedIn profile–from your photos and other visual elements to your “About” section and blog post–will largely depend on your target audience. For example, if you’re a financial advisor, your best bet is to reach out to individuals whose financial life has gotten complicated or who need guidance to manage their wealth more effectively.

7. Boost your credibility

To boost your credibility on this social media platform, ask for recommendations and skill endorsements. After all, employers and clients want to know what others think of your work, or be exact, the results you deliver. 

Request recommendations from people you have collaborated with across different roles and those who can attest to your skills, talents, and strength.

Pro tip: 
It’s also nice to write recommendations and endorse your connections, which may prompt them to do the same without you asking them directly. Just make sure that what you write is genuine and sincere. 

8. Share your expertise through blog posts

Sharing your blogs on this social media platform can help you increase your web traffic, engage with your target audience, and position yourself as a reputable online source in your niche/industry. 

When sharing blogs and other content to LinkedIn, manually write a summary/meta description so the readers will know what to expect from the article. Also, shorten their URLs using Bitly or other similar apps. 

9. Keep your LinkedIn account active

Frequently sharing blog posts and other content and updating your profile information are some of the ways to keep your account active and “engaging.” Also, don’t forget to check your connections’ posts and like, share, and comment on those that resonate with you.

The general rule of thumb is to have some activities at least three times a week.

10. Boost your profile strength

To view your “Profile Strength,” do the step-by-step guidelines explained below: 

• Click the “Me” icon at the top of the LinkedIn homepage. 

• Click “View Profile.”

• Under the top card information, move the cursor over the meter to know which steps you have already completed. 

• Click the “Dropdown,” which is situated at the upper right corner of the meter; this will allow you to learn more about how to strengthen your profile. 

• Follow the suggestions to make the “Meter” full and receive an “All-Star” profile rating.
  You’ll notice that this engaging summary is not just about telling the day-to-day tasks or job description, but more on the benefits and results people can expect from the HVAC technician.