LinkedIn’s original raison d’être was to serve as a premier networking platform, helping individuals connect with like-minded professionals and explore career opportunities.
Over the past few years, it has expanded its role to become a valuable resource for B2B businesses, offering lead generation and content marketing features. However, more recently, LinkedIn has also gained popularity as a platform where you can build a solid personal brand.
You’ve likely noticed this growing trend while scrolling through your LinkedIn feed – individuals sharing tips, advice, personal stories, and more through carousel posts, articles, or good old-fashioned written text posts. This trend has become quite common and has given rise to what we now call “LinkedIn influencers.”
While not without its critics, with people now comparing it to Facebook, there are many reasons why people aspire to build their personal brand on LinkedIn, and numerous benefits come with it.
In this article, we will talk about how you can build a strong personal brand on LinkedIn. First, though, let’s look at what a personal brand actually is and why it matters.
What is a Personal Brand and Why it Matters
A personal brand is how others perceive you as an individual. It’s what comes to mind when people hear your name, and it can be a powerful tool to help you stand out in your industry.
A strong personal brand can help you:
- Establish authority in your field.
- Build trust and credibility.
- Position yourself as an expert.
- Attract new business opportunities.
- Catch the attention of recruiters and potential employers.
It’s absolutely important to remember that personal branding isn’t about self-promotion or boasting about your achievements. It is more likely to turn people away, – which is precisely what you want to avoid. It’s about sharing your unique value with the world.
So, how can you start building your personal brand on LinkedIn?
How to Build a Strong Personal Brand on LinkedIn
Make Your Profile Photo Look Professional
Your profile photo is one of the most important elements of your LinkedIn profile? Who’d have thought? It makes sure it looks professional yet simple. Here are some tips to help you make a memorable impression with your LinkedIn profile picture:
- Use a high-quality photo that matches your personal brand.
- Make sure your photo is up-to-date and accurately represents your current appearance.
- Keep your picture clean and professional-looking.
- Pay attention to lighting and avoid distracting backgrounds.
- Aim for a friendly and approachable expression with a slight smile.
- Choose a background colour that complements your personal style.
- Keep the focus on yourself; don’t include other people in the picture.
- Capture your image in high resolution for clarity.
Write An Engaging Headline
Your LinkedIn headline, along with your profile picture, is one of the first things people will see when they visit your profile, so make sure it’s short, engaging, and out-of-the-box. It should mention your expertise, experience, industry, and so on.
Steer clear of overused clichés like “hard worker,” “creative person,” or “go-getter.” These phrases have become commonplace. Instead, use words that accurately describe your skills and experience and demonstrate how you can provide practical value to clients or potential employers.
Use SEO to Make Your LinkedIn Profile Easy to Find
The first thing you need to do is to make sure your profile is easy to find. Think about how others might search for someone with your expertise – what keywords and phrases would they use? Here’s how you can make sure they find you:
- Strategic Keyword Usage: When completing your profile, use words that describe your skills and experience accurately. This helps your profile show up when employers and clients search for specific skills.
- Customise Your Profile URL: LinkedIn lets you customise your profile’s web address. Including relevant keywords can make you easier to find. Just keep it balanced and clear, like /John-Smith-SEO.
- Use Hashtags: Hashtags can increase the visibility of your content. They act like signposts to attract a broader audience interested in your content. This strategy helps you build your personal brand by drawing like-minded individuals to your posts.
Share Unique and Useful Content on LinkedIn
Creating and sharing engaging content is key to expanding your LinkedIn presence. The LinkedIn algorithm favours fresh and distinct content that resonates with your audience.
When it comes to creating content for LinkedIn, you don’t have a shortage of options.
Create Infographics
Infographics are very powerful in building a strong brand on LinkedIn. They condense complex information into easily digestible graphics, making them perfect for capturing your audience’s attention on LinkedIn. Their concise and visually appealing nature can communicate a wealth of information quickly.
Make Short Videos
Video content is taking social media by storm, and LinkedIn is no exception. Short videos, typically under a minute, are highly effective at engaging your audience. They offer a personal touch and let your connections see and hear you, which builds trust and credibility.
Create Carousel Posts
LinkedIn Carousels are an excellent way to share a series of images or short video clips in a single post. They’re versatile and can be used for various purposes, from showcasing your portfolio to giving a step-by-step guide on a particular topic.
Publish Long-Form Articles
LinkedIn Articles provide an opportunity to showcase your expertise and thought leadership in greater depth. While you might have a blog or website, publishing on LinkedIn has unique advantages, such as reaching a built-in audience and gaining visibility through notifications to your connections. Not to mention, LinkedIn articles rank well on Google.
Remember, whatever content you post, if you want to make a meaningful impact, it’s important to avoid generic content that’s been seen countless times. Instead, your focus should be creating and sharing interesting, valuable, and distinctive content.
Interact and Engage With Others
If you want to establish yourself as a thought leader on LinkedIn, a sure-fire way to do this is to actively engage and interact with others.
Starting with actions like sharing, liking, and commenting on posts is a great initial step. But to truly stand out, consider taking the extra step of initiating personal messages. When reaching out to someone, seek common ground or offer a genuine compliment that relates to their post. This approach paves the way for quicker and more meaningful connections.
When someone takes the time to comment on your content, reciprocate with a friendly and appreciative response. It’s a simple yet effective strategy for growing your network and enhancing your content’s reach. It’s a simple yet effective strategy for growing your network and improving your content’s reach.
Join and Participate in Relevant LinkedIn Groups
Joining relevant LinkedIn groups is a fantastic way to connect with professionals and potential leads in your industry.
Once you’re part of a group, take a moment to introduce yourself and share a bit about what you do. This initial step helps create a positive impression. As a group member, actively engage in discussions, offering your insights and expertise. Be helpful by answering questions and contributing to meaningful conversations. This proactive involvement is the key to building your brand on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn hosts a variety of groups, so you should easily be able to find one that fits your industry or niche. If not, you can create your own group around a topic you’re passionate about, establishing yourself as a thought leader in the process.
Build Connections With Strategic Partners & Influencers
LinkedIn is a great platform for establishing connections with strategic partners and influencers, a crucial step in building your personal brand.
Begin by identifying key influencers in your industry and connecting with them on LinkedIn. They may be industry experts, thought leaders, or individuals with a significant following. Then, take the next step by actively engaging with their content and expressing your genuine appreciation.
Don’t hesitate to throw in your two cents and share your thoughts and feedback. I am sure they’ll appreciate it. This proactive involvement will help you capture their attention, positioning you favourably for potential collaborations when the right opportunities arise.
Sign Up for LinkedIn Live Sessions
The use of videos is steadily on the rise, and one feature gaining popularity is LinkedIn Live Sessions. These sessions allow LinkedIn members to share real-time video updates with their network.
LinkedIn Live Sessions offer a valuable opportunity to build your brand by connecting directly with your audience. You can use them to showcase your expertise and share valuable insights. Here are some practical tips to enhance the effectiveness of your LinkedIn Live sessions:
- Choose a topic that is unique and relevant.
- Create a schedule and share it on LinkedIn.
- Extend the promotion to other social media platforms.
- Engage with and prepare your LinkedIn community beforehand.
- Craft a compelling title and description.
- Don’t forget to include a clear call to action (CTA) during your live session.
These live sessions can elevate your overall LinkedIn presence and position yourself as an authority in your field.
Seek Endorsements & Recommendations
LinkedIn endorsements and recommendations are a great way to quickly bolster your credibility and trustworthiness on the platform. They quietly work behind the scenes to enhance your authority within your LinkedIn network and to foster trust among potential employers and connections.
So, don’t be shy about reaching out to people you know and trust, whether they’re past or present colleagues, clients, or even LinkedIn acquaintances. And be sure to extend your support to fellow professionals by endorsing their skills and providing recommendations based on your collaborative experiences. It’s not just about you; it’s about building a network of trust that benefits everyone involved.
Final thoughts
By following these strategies, you can gradually build and strengthen your personal brand on LinkedIn. While it may take some time and effort, the rewards include potential opportunities and valuable connections. So, get started on your journey to enhancing your presence on this valuable professional platform.
