Leaving money on the table is fine when tipping in a restaurant. In business terms, “leaving money on the table” equates to missed opportunities and lost revenue.
In this age of instant information and online vetting, are you “leaving money on the table” with your LinkedIn profile?
Yes you are, if it’s missing information in key sections. An incomplete profile lessens the chances of your being found in online searches, and of potential customers hiring you after checking your credentials.
Follow these guidelines for a strong, business-building LinkedIn profile:
Headline: Use keywords that describe your product or service. Include your position title and business name. Take advantage of the 120 characters available!
Photo: Invest in a studio portrait. LinkedIn is professional social media.
Summary: This section is about YOU – not your employer or your business. What are your passions? What drives you? Detail your skills, experience and business philosophy. Make people want to meet you. Include your contact information at the end to make it easy.
Experience: Don’t just list employers and job titles. For each position, include a description of your responsibilities and successes.
Education: List all post-secondary schools attended, degrees earned, and campus organizations or activities you participated in.
Add Media: You’ll find this at the end of individual listings in Summary, Experience and Education. Attach videos, photos, white papers, web links and presentations to reinforce your expertise.
Skills & Endorsements: You can list 50 “skills.” Max them out!
Certifications, Organizations, Honors & Awards, Publications, etc.: LinkedIn has lots of specialty categories to break out information for a more robust, readable profile. Use them!
Make sure the only money you leave on the table is at a restaurant … not on LinkedIn.
-Rick Moon is owner of Lunar Communications in Brookfield.
