Your LinkedIn profile plays many roles in your professional communication strategy. It helps you provide proof of performance, serves as the digital version of your CV or résumé, and helps you introduce yourself to network connections, employers, colleagues, clients, prospects, and potential hires.
Your LinkedIn Profile Is Your Virtual First Impression
In these days of all things virtual, your LinkedIn profile is often your first impression. That’s why it’s important to show up as your real, authentic self, so you can create meaningful connections with those who are researching you. When someone wants to learn about you in a professional capacity, they’ll likely head over to LinkedIn, type your name into the search, and see what shows up. But even if they start their search on Google, they’ll still end up on your LinkedIn profile because it will likely show up in one of the top three spots in Google search results.
4 LinkedIn Elements Deliver Your First Impression
When they land on your profile, the first thing they’ll see, right at the top, are your headline, headshot, and background (the cover image that sits behind your headline and headshot). Just below those elements is your About section, where you tell your story. Together, those four elements form your first impression and help viewers determine if they want to get to know you. Each of the four elements serves a different yet important function. The most compelling profiles are truly transparent, authentic, compelling, and clearly differentiated. Let’s explore how each of these key LinkedIn elements contributes to making a magnetic, mesmerizing, and memorable first impression.
Your LinkedIn Headline Makes You Relevant
Your headline is designed to answer this simple question: What does this person do? It helps profile visitors quickly confirm that you are either the person they intended to meet, or that you are someone they’d like to meet.
In addition to relevance, your headline plays another important role. It helps you get found. Including the keywords for which you want to be known in your headline will improve visibility in LinkedIn searches, helping you become known. While it’s important to sprinkle keywords throughout your profile, the most strategic place to include them is your headline.
Your LinkedIn Headshot Makes You Real In The Virtual World
Let’s face it, LinkedIn profiles without headshots raise eyebrows. We instinctively question their credibility. Your headshot helps to build trust by convincing profile viewers that you actually do exist. Having a headshot is absolutely essential. We know from LinkedIn that profiles with a photo receive 21 times more profile views and 9 times more connection requests. Strangely, many people still leave their headshot section blank.
But not all headshots will help you impress those who are checking you out. In fact, some will actually work against you. To connect with people on a human level and deliver a positive first impression:
- Make sure your face takes up around 60-70% of the frame. It’s called a headshot not a body shot. When someone is looking at your profile on their phone, it’s about the size of a button.
- Face forward, looking into the eyes of those who are checking you out. Eye contact helps build connection.
- Smile. Smiling makes you more attractive and approachable. Research shows it is one of the most important parts of your headshot.
- Choose a clean, non-distracting background that doesn’t compete with your mug for attention.
And, of course, avoid common mistakes like using a group photo, cropping out another person, or posting an outdated image. Your headshot should reflect your current look. If someone couldn’t identify you in a crowded Starbucks from your LinkedIn headshot, it’s time to update your photo.
Your LinkedIn Background Makes You Resonant
Your background (also called cover image or cover photo) is an opportunity to share a visual (or visuals) that align with your message or target audience. Imagine adding a thousand words to your profile without using the 26 letters of the alphabet. Advertising executive Fred R. Barnard famously said, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” But it’s not a purely decorative endeavor. Choose an image that helps you exude your personal brand and inspires viewers to want to get to know you. The goal is to make viewers pause and take notice. This 1584 x 396 pixel piece of prime profile property provides a unique opportunity to help your profile stand out from all others. Use it to express who you are, what you stand for, and what makes you unique.
Your LinkedIn About Makes You Relatable
Your about makes you relatable because it combines the rational elements (your accomplishments, accolades, awards, etc.) with the emotional elements (your values, passions, purpose, and goals) of your brand. It’s where your humanity meets your professionalism.
And because of LinkedIn’s search power, your About will likely be the most-read version of your bio. So, make it count. Write it in the first person to set up a conversation between you and the reader. Keep it clear and compelling. Let your audience see the real person behind the resume. Here’s the complete four-step process that will help you build a stellar LinkedIn About.
In four upcoming articles, I will share more about these four essential elements, along with many stellar examples of headlines, headshots, backgrounds, and Abouts that you can use to inspire you to upgrade your LinkedIn profile and virtual first impression. Stay tuned!
William Arruda is a keynote speaker, author, and personal branding pioneer. Join him for practical tips on using AI to uncover, express, and expand your personal brand in a free Maven Lightning Lesson. If you can’t make it live, register to get the replay.