Optimizing your LinkedIn profile may seem a bit advanced, especially if you are a LinkedIn beginner, but it can have immediate results. Think of LinkedIn like a search engine. You enter information about you (your profile) and others look for it. Just like any other search engine, there are ways to optimize the information you enter so it can be found easier and found in more relevant searches. Here are some insider tips from my advanced LinkedIn Workshop

Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile

1.Get ride of your title in your professional header.  Give yourself a descriptive professional header.  No one is going to search for an account executive, they are going to search for a financial analyst or a social media consultant.  If people can’t tell right away what you do, they probably won’t view your profile.

2. Set your public profile URL.  This is easy to do and will help generate traffic to your page when people search for you, even outside the LinkedIn network.

3. Add a picture. Humans are visual and the Social Media is a visual medium (remember when Facebook bought instagram for $1 billion?).  A profile without a picture isn’t engaging and sticks out in a negative way.  Optimzing your LinkedIn profile means getting found!

4. Update your Status. At least once a week update your status.  LinkedIn sends a weekly update email to each user, if you update your status, you will be on that email.  The point of social networks is to be found and to engage.  Posting an update will get you in their email box, another opportunity to engage.

5. Fill out Your Profile.  Once someone has found you, give them a reason to contact you.  Fill out education information groups and former jobs and be specific on your skillset.  You never know what might be a “touch point” for someone else.