If you are not using LinkedIn properly today, then you are missing a great opportunity. LinkedIn is not just a job search platform, it is a powerful tool that lets you build your personal brand and get in front of direct recruiters and clients. But the problem is that people just create a boring profile and forget it. And still, they expect they will get job offers or project proposals. Sorry, but it never works.
If you want to get the full benefits of LinkedIn, you’ll need to adopt a solid personal branding strategy. Read this article and understand how you can make your LinkedIn account a job and client-hunting machine.
Optimize LinkedIn Profile: First Impression is The Last Impression
Your LinkedIn profile is like a digital resume, but it’s even more powerful because it’s where you can showcase your work and engage with people directly. However, a weak profile will not attract anyone’s attention. So first, make your profile strong.
Best Tips Profile Optimization:
- Professional Profile Picture: Set a clear, smiling, and formal photo as your profile photo.
- Powerful Headline: Don’t write “Software Developer at XYZ”, but write something engaging: “Helping Brands Build Scalable Web Apps | Full Stack Developer | React & Node.js Expert”
- About Section: This is the best place to tell your story. Write your experience, skills, and goals in the form of an engaging story.
- Custom URL: Optimize your LinkedIn profile URL so that it looks professional (linkedin.com/in/yourname)
- Featured Section: If you have written an article, made a project, or given an interview, showcase it here.
- Experience & Skills: Whatever past experience you have, write it in detail and highlight your main skills.
Keep Posting Content: Let the people know that you are an expert
Just optimizing your profile will not help; you will have to come in front of people. For this, regularly post content on LinkedIn that shows your expertise. There is the best way to impress your potential clients or potential employer.
What type of content should you post?
- Case Studies: Share insights about your projects or past work.
- Industry Trends: Please give your opinion on the latest trend in your industry.
- Success Stories: If you have solved any problem or got a job, then share your journey.
- Tips & Tricks: Please share helpful tips for beginners who follow you.
- Polls & Engagement Posts: Ask people questions, create polls, and initiate discussions. This increases the engagement and your profile gets more exposure. LinkedIn promotes engaging content among new people.
The more valuable content people will get from you, the more chances you will increase for getting approached by clients or recruiters.
Do Networking: Connect with the right people
There are 800M+ users on LinkedIn, but it is useless if you don’t connect with the right people. You will have to make friends with relevant people in your industry.
Best Tips for Networking:
- Send Personalized Connection Request: It is better to write a meaningful message than to write “Hi, Let’s connect”.
- Engage: Like, comment, and share the posts of others so that they notice you.
- Join LinkedIn Groups: Join Industry-specific groups and participate actively in discussions.
- Make Connections With Recruiters: If you are looking for a job, directly connect with recruiters and have value-driven conversations with them.
- Cold Messaging Strategy: If you are approaching a potential client, write a pitch that is concise and impactful.
Recommendations & Endorsements: Build Your Credibility
If other people endorse your profile or write recommendations about it, then it makes a better impression on recruiters and clients.
How to get this?
- Politely request your colleagues and past clients to write a recommendation for you.
- If you also give recommendations to others, there are more chances that they will also write for you.
- For endorsements, highlight your key skills and request your network to endorse you.
LinkedIn Job Search & Outreach: Approach Direct Recruiters and Clients
If you want a job or clients, then do not just wait, but approach recruiters and clients proactively.
Job Search Strategy:
- Use LinkedIn Job Section: Search for jobs in your desired field and apply directly.
- Easy Apply Feature: Send quick applications using LinkedIn’s Easy Apply feature.
- Message to Hiring Managers: If you see an opening in any company, then politely send a message to the HR or Hiring Manager and share your profile.
Method of finding clients:
- Create Optimized Profile for Freelance Projects: Your profile should show that you are an expert who can solve clients’ problems.
- Send a Connection Request to Prospective Clients: Start an engaging conversation with them and pitch your services.
- Testimonials & Portfolio Showcase Karo: If you have worked for someone before, then it is important to show their feedback.
Conclusion: Make LinkedIn your digital portfolio
If you do LinkedIn personal branding in the right way, then it can be very easy to get both jobs and clients. You just have to maintain consistency and provide value. Today, optimize your profile, post content, and start networking. Millions of people use LinkedIn. If you succeed in building your personal brand on it, then you can achieve your dream job or you can make huge money by providing your services.
How was your experience?
Have you got a job or client from LinkedIn? Share your experience in the comments.