Using LinkedIn for BD - Professional Profile Checklist

LinkedIn is a great BD tool.  It is one of the easiest and most powerful ways to present your talent and expertise to the market.  If you're new to LinkedIn or feel you could be getting more from it, the first thing to do is check your LinkedIn profile is up to date, looks professional and showcases your true value.  Here is a Checklist of 20 things that will complete your Profile.  The next step is to schedule 10 minutes each workday to connect, post an update, make a comment and keep an eye on what's happening in your space, so that LinkedIn becomes a useful way to help you grow your business. 

1. Your Headline

Your profile headline is the first thing someone sees after your name. Make it memorable.  Include your role and contain key words important to your profession.  It doesn't have to be just your job title.

2. Photo

Choose a professional, high quality headshot for your photograph. Having a picture is essential.

3. Email and Contact Details

List all your email addresses so they are associated with your LinkedIn profile. You can set the default email which will be visible and the account that receives InMail and updates.  Include the best phone contact too.

4. Personal URL

Your LinkedIn profile has a URL (an Internet address). You should edit this by adding your name (www.linkedin.com/in/yourname) as this looks professional when you include it on your business card and email signature.

5. Other Web Refs

If you have a website, professional Twitter account, or other web links, add them to your profile within the “contact info” section at the top. Change the label from “other” to a short, descriptive title.

6. Summary

Consider this section a mini bio highlighting the best of your background, experience and skills. Describe your leadership style, values, attitude, long term goals, and even passions.  Make it punchy and personal by writing in the first person by using “I”, “Me” or “My”. Consider including your mobile or email address to make it easy for people to contact you, even though these are already in the contact section.

7. Work Experience

Include all your significant work history using key word descriptions so that when people are searching for individuals with this experience they are more likely to find you. Include 2-3 accomplishments under each position. Your work experience should be the same as your resume, without quite as much detail.

8. Add Media as Examples of your skills

Add infographics, documents, video, images and/or audio so your profile is an online portfolio. You can embed these links in your summary, work experience and education sections.  There are places you can upload media too.

9. Skills and Expertise

List all skills and expertise most important to your profession and what you want to highlight.

10. Education

Include the institutions you’ve attended. List your subject area, major, and/or minor. If you are a recent graduate, include clubs committees and groups you were active in and any special achievements, awards or accolades you received.

11. Certifications, Completions, Courses

These sections are particularly helpful for graduates. List the most relevant and important information relevant to the type of work you do or are hoping to do.

12. Projects

You can reference professional and academic projects, special work assignments and community/personal projects to showcase your skills and experience.

13. Recommendations

Ask for recommendations from colleagues, those you've worked for, group/association/board members or clients who know your work.

14. Honors & Awards, Publications, Patents

Complete these sections with as much detail as necessary to highlight why it is important.

15. Organizations, Volunteering & Causes

Provide details about your involvement in professional associations and the organisations you belong to or Committees you serve on. List the volunteer work you do and causes you support.  Use discretion when choosing to include religious or political affiliations.

16. Personal Details

Your birth date and marital status are the least important details. You may choose not to include this information on your profile. 

17. Status Update

Regularly update your status so your network can see what you are doing. Consider a link to an article (or even better your on blog post), upload a slide presentation, update views about an event you are attending, or pose a question you would like feedback from your contacts.

18. Groups

Join alumni groups, professional associations, and any industry related groups. Share their logos on your profile and participate in discussions and share links to relevant articles.

19. Make it 100% Complete

Consider these other useful additions and make your profile as complete as possible.  Update as you acquire new skills and experiences - Languages, Honors & Awards, Patents, Courses, Test Scores, Certifications, Volunteering & Causes, Organizations, and Interests.

20. Make It Public

LinkedIn sets your profile to be seen by the public. It think this is the best option as people might be looking to connect with someone just like you to do business together.

If you need help with LinkedIn or interested in a workshop for your team, contact Lyn Hawkins, Hawkins Marketing on 0437 197 914 or email lhawkins@hawkinsmarketing.com.