How long has it been since you last logged into your LinkedIn account?
You may be unaware, but LinkedIn is massive right now.
With over half a billion professionals on the platform – 90 million of whom are senior-level influencers – you simply cannot afford to ignore it.
That being said, there is a proper way to use it and a…less-than-proper way.
I’m going to share the most common LinkedIn mistakes I see people make in this post. At all costs, avoid these!
Ten LinkedIn Errors to Avoid
Having an unattractive profile photo
Unlike other social media platforms where sharing images and selfies is the norm, you get one chance to show your face on LinkedIn.
And are you certain you want that single image to resemble one of these?
I’m going to guess that’s not the case!
To maximize the effectiveness of your LinkedIn profile picture, ensure that it meets the following criteria:
- Ascertain that it appears to be you (accurate and recent)
- Utilize a high-resolution image.
- Ascertain that your face occupies at least 60% of the image.
- Ascertain that you are the sole subject of the photograph.
- Always keep a smile on your face! (It lends you an air of approachability.)
- Absence of distracting backdrops
- Maintain a professional appearance.
- Utilize adequate lighting
To avoid this LinkedIn faux pas, simply ensure that your image is clear, accurate, and professional in appearance!
Forgetting About Your Headline.
Your profile’s headline is arguably the most important piece of content. It’s critical for SEO (more on that in a moment), but many people simply slap something up and call it a day.
Your headline is also critical for standing out and capturing your target audience’s attention, as it is one of the only pieces of text that appear in LinkedIn Search results.
Several best practices for your headline include the following:
- Avoid using industry jargon or buzzwords in your writing.
- Consider shortening your elevator pitch.
- Concentrate on your audience rather than on yourself (e.g., How can you assist them?)
- Consider posing a rhetorical question.
- Share something personal to demonstrate your approachability.
Having an Incomplete and Outdated Profile.
Even if you are not a regular user of LinkedIn, you can be certain that others in your industry and target market are!
Maintain an updated profile whenever you complete a course, are featured in a media outlet, obtain a new job, or offer a new service.
Additionally, I strongly recommend that you complete all sections of your profile. There is evidence that LinkedIn prioritizes complete profiles; therefore, if you want to be found in Search, ensure that your profile is completely complete.
Are you unsure whether your profile is complete? Avoid this LinkedIn faux pas today by scrolling to the top of the page to view your profile’s strength (pictured above), as well as recommendations on which sections you can improve or add to.
