Do you want to get noticed in your industry? Of course you do!

Once you have built a foundation on paper of your personal brand and maybe even started attending relevant events or redesigned your personal website you NEED to update your LinkedIn profile.

You can use mine as an example: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonchapman/

If you haven't read my previous blog post on creating your personal brand, please go do that now! This will make more sense once you know my personal branding and then see here how I've incorporated it into my LinkedIn profile.

Okay let's start with the first thing that most people see: 1) Your Headshot

You'll want a professionally done photo that represents your branding. If you don't have one, go get them done! This is worth the investment and will pay you dividends long term in the opportunities you will receive.

Consider lifestyle photos such as in the office or outside doing your favorite hobby, depending on your branding. While you may not use these for your headshot, they are good to have for magazine articles or blogs.

And add your Skills and Impressions to your headline as well! Check out mine!

2) Write your About section. Tell people what you stand for, explain your skills and values. Utilize ‘Top Skills’ to make it easy for people to find you in search and this also lets you tie those skills to specific experiences in your profile.

3) Use the featured option for posts that highlight your brand that you are most proud of.

Feature only ones with photos. Ideally of you or your name.

This builds a showcase for visitors to see what you are all about and big accomplishments

4) Only engage in posts that underpin your personal brand

5) Fill out experience, education, licenses, & certifications fully and accurately and keep this in sync with your resume.

So, at any point a recruiter reaches out to you with a job opportunity you have your resume ready to go!

6) Gather 360-degree recommendations.

You want to get reviews/recommendations from people above you, next to you (peers), and below you if you are a leader or mentor. 

This helps to give someone an idea from all angles on how you are perceived externally. 

7) Populate publications, honors/awards, and membership of organizations

Key point is to fully populate as much as you can of your profile.

Ensuring you have a fully populated LinkedIn profile makes you extremely searchable by all users especially recruiters and marketers.

Good luck! Don't hesitate to reach out with questions, shannon@shannonachapman.com

With Love,

Shannon