If you’re trying to get the most from your professional career, you must learn the ins and outs of the online channels at your disposal.
LinkedIn has about 800 million different users around the world. By learning as much as you can about LinkedIn, you’ll be able to network, apply for jobs, and climb the ladder in your industry.
So, what tips should you keep in mind? We’re happy to explain. Read on so that you know which common LinkedIn profile mistakes you should avoid at all costs.
1. Failing to Use a Professional, High-Quality Profile Photo
Always put your best face forward when creating a LinkedIn profile. Many people make the mistake of using subpar photos, off-topic photos, casual photos, or worse, no photo at all. Though we live in the digital age, people want to get a feel for who they are engaging with.
Looking into professional headshots can help you get the results that you’re looking for from your LinkedIn profile. It creates a professional appearance and these photos can help you convey your personality to people who don’t yet know you. Use headshots that are taken from the shoulders up, preferably of you smiling and in an outfit and setting that best displays who you are.
Crop it into your LinkedIn profile photo, and use a few different looks that you rotate between.
2. Forgetting About Your LinkedIn Summary
When creating online profiles, you need to have an executive summary and a call to action (CTA). This teaches people in your words who you are, what you’d like for them to do with that information and the best way to reach out.
Your LinkedIn summary should use active, descriptive, positive language, along with an explanation of your background experience, goals, and why working with you is an asset.
3. Not Selling Yourself in the Description
People are often too reserved when describing themselves. It’s one part modesty, and another part not understanding the art of selling yourself.
The fact of the matter is that you’re always your own brander and marketer, no matter what industry you work in. When you’re marketing with LinkedIn, you’re always competing with countless people in your industry. An accurate, informative, and attention-grabbing description section can help you out more than you know.
Each well-written word will give you a tremendous return on investment (ROI) when you consider the new business and career opportunities that you will generate.
4. Skimping on the Headline
Don’t just focus on the body of the content – make certain that you have a LinkedIn profile headline that also checks all of the boxes. A good headline is concise, descriptive, and well-written, using attractive language that sells what you’re hoping to accomplish from your profile.
Take as much time as you need to write a LinkedIn profile, and consider bringing a copywriter on board. They will help you use language that gets results, along with well-researched keywords that improve your search engine optimization (SEO) ranking and standing.
5. Using a Stock URL
Your page URL is one of the most important LinkedIn profile details that you need to figure out. Your profile page is given a stock URL as soon as you register the profile and take it now. This just consists of a series of randomized letters and numbers.
However, having a custom URL makes it easier to tell people about it, easier for your marketing needs, and an effective website optimization tip to bring more traffic to your page. Choose something easy to remember and include it on your business card, blog, and any other marketing tools you use.
6. Leaving the Recommendations Blank
Recommendations are also worth their weight in gold when you’re trying to get results from your profile. The same way that these recommendations can be the difference between your resume getting lost in the mix and being bumped to the top of the pile, they can also solidify your LinkedIn profile.
It’s more verifiable than a resume recommendation because a person can click your recommendations and immediately see the person and get in touch with them. You’re leaving a lot of potential opportunities on the table when you neglect to fill out this section. Get the most glowing recommendations that you can find so you can use them to climb the ladder in your career.
7. Being Too Tight With Privacy
Privacy is a critical piece of the puzzle with online use today. The same applies to professional social media profiles like LinkedIn. While LinkedIn offers plenty of privacy options and settings, go easy on them for your own good.
You want as many eyes as possible on your LinkedIn page, and that can only happen when you leave it widely open to the public. Just make sure to only include information that you want people to know about you and you shouldn’t have anything to know about.
8. You Fail to Make Updates
Finally, many people make the mistake of never updating their LinkedIn profile. It should always be a fluid profile that gets updated whenever you have new career achievements and accolades that people should know about it.
Be particularly mindful about updates whenever you win an award, obtain a new position, or otherwise get an accolade worth bragging about.
Avoid These Common LinkedIn Profile Mistakes
The points above explain some common LinkedIn profile mistakes that you’ll want to avoid if you’re hoping to get results. It’s one of the most important social media profiles that you can use today and can serve as your professional calling card when you go about it correctly.
Check out our other posts to make sure you’re taking advantage of all the professional opportunities at your disposal to advance your career and have a fulfilling work life.