Building a Personal Brand on LinkedIn
Building a personal brand on LinkedIn is essential for professionals who want to position themselves as thought leaders. Describe in detail what makes you unique.
DOs:
Optimize Your Profile:
Professional Photo: Use a high-quality, professional headshot.
Headline: Make it clear, and concise, and highlight your expertise.
Summary: Share your story, achievements, and what you stand for. Be personal and authentic.
Experience & Skills: List your most relevant positions and accomplishments. Showcase your top skills and request endorsements from colleagues.
Create Thought Leadership Content: Post regularly about topics you are knowledgeable and passionate about. Offer insights, tips, or opinions on industry trends.
Use LinkedIn articles to dive deeper into your area of expertise. This content is often shared and helps establish authority.
Share content from others that resonates with your values and adds value to your network.
Engage with Your Network: Comment meaningfully on posts from others, especially leaders in your industry.
Reply to comments on your posts to create a conversation and build relationships.
Send personalized connection requests and messages. Steer clear of the cliched “Please add me to your professional network.”
Network Strategically: Connect with individuals who are relevant to your industry or career goals, such as peers, mentors, or potential clients.
Join and actively participate in relevant LinkedIn groups. Share your insights or ask thoughtful questions.
Be Consistent: Make frequent changes to your profile, interact with people, and share stuff.
Post consistently to keep your name and content visible to your audience. Whether it’s weekly or biweekly, find a rhythm that works for you.
Showcase Your Achievements: Use the “Featured” section to highlight important milestones, articles, or projects you’ve been involved in.
Share case studies, success stories, or awards to build credibility.
DON’Ts:
Avoid Being Too Promotional: Don’t use LinkedIn purely as a sales platform. If your content is overly self-promotional, it will turn off your audience. Focus on providing value and insight instead.
Neglect Your Profile: Don’t leave your profile incomplete or outdated. An incomplete profile can make you seem unprofessional or inactive.
Ensure your experience, education, and skills are up-to-date.
Be Overly Formal or Robotic: While LinkedIn is professional, don’t make your posts too stiff or impersonal. People resonate with authenticity, so share personal experiences and insights in a professional tone.
Spam Connections or Groups: Don’t send out mass connection requests without personalization. This will often be ignored and can even damage your reputation.
Avoid posting irrelevant content or excessive self-promotion in groups.
Ignore Negative Feedback or Criticism: If someone leaves a negative comment on your post, don’t ignore or delete it. Engage thoughtfully, acknowledging their point of view and offering a constructive response.
Overload on Buzzwords: Avoid overusing vague or generic terms like “visionary,” “innovative,” or “team player” without providing proof through your experiences or achievements. Describe in detail what makes you unique.
Post Irrelevant Content: Don’t post about topics that aren’t related to your industry or brand. Keep your content relevant to your audience’s interests and your professional goals.