I’ve mentioned it earlier (and I’m sure I’ll repeat it), but I strongly believe in the power of LinkedIn. I strongly believe it is not only beneficial for expanding your network, but it has also assisted me in finding employment as a freelancer.

Having said that, I hear a lot of folks gripe about the platform. They do not believe it is effective. They’ve never seen any outcomes. They’re missing the point. However, with a little investigation, I generally learn that these folks aren’t putting forth any effort. They did, indeed, construct a profile. They haven’t done anything else. It’s as if people expect to be able just to press a button and have fantastic things happen.

No, you must be engaged in the space if you want to see results. That includes reaching out to others, leaving intelligent comments, and, of course, maintaining your profile in good shape.

So, today, let’s concentrate just on your profile. If you’re one of those folks who built one and then promptly forgot about it, it’s time to dust it off and put it to work!

Here are seven fast and easy things you can do right now to improve your LinkedIn game!

7 simple LinkedIn improvements

1. Personalize your heading

LinkedIn automatically populates your headline with your current title and organization. And there are many people who are unaware that this field is entirely customizable by you.

So, push the boundaries and come up with a strong and compelling headline for yourself. Make your headline precise and appeal to your strengths. It will make you more memorable while also effectively describing what you do. For instance, mine used to just state “Web Developer and Content Writer.” Now? “WordPress and UI Developer | Writer | Blogger | Freelance Writer,” it says.

2. Include fresh media

Of course, you are free to say whatever you like. But we all know that showing is much more powerful than telling. Consider including some of the most outstanding projects in your job descriptions, if you haven’t already.

LinkedIn allows you to easily upload anything from images and videos to papers and presentations.

I’ve put links to some of my favorite writing samples on my profile so that they’re easily available immediately from my profile. People do not need to visit my website in order to view part of my work. Everything is right there for them!

When you step out of your comfort zone you can build yourself anew.

3. Revise your summary

On LinkedIn, your summary is where you have the greatest flexibility. You have plenty of room to tell your story and discuss your achievements. So it irritates me when I see folks leave it entirely blank. When I’m looking at new profiles, it’s one of the first places I look!

Needless to say, you must include anything there. Give a description of what you do, some of your primary abilities, and perhaps some of your most notable successes. Extra points for incorporating some individuality!

4. Change your LinkedIn profile photo

So, the summary is most likely the second item I glance at. The first shot is always the profile photo. So, if you don’t have one (or if the one you do have is from a music festival you attended in college), it’s time to get one that is polished and presentable.

No, a professional headshot of you in a jacket against a grey picture studio backdrop is not required. However, something that clearly exposes your face is highly encouraged. It’s great to put a face to the name!

5. Participate in LinkedIn groups

LinkedIn groups are an excellent opportunity to participate in serious debates, acquire new skills, and perhaps make new friends in your business. So don’t be afraid! Go find a few organizations that interest you and join them.

To be honest, I don’t engage in LinkedIn groups as frequently as I should. But it’s absolutely something I’d like to do more of!

6. Redo your job descriptions

Descriptions of your previous and present roles are one of those things that you produce and then leave alone. After all, not much has changed, has it? However, I recommend that you go over them on a regular basis to verify that everything is in order. It’s also an excellent opportunity to ensure that your most outstanding, vital responsibilities are included at the top of the description, where they’ll have the greatest impact.

One of the most common mistakes I encounter in job descriptions is? Previous job descriptions had present tense verbs. People frequently merely modify their job dates. However, you must also update your job descriptions to indicate this change.

7. Make five new LinkedIn contacts.

LinkedIn’s only objective is to help you expand your network. And this does not imply standing about waiting for people to come to you. You must be proactive in reaching out to people with whom you wish to connect!

Of course, the idea here is to say goodbye to the generic form letter that LinkedIn generates for you. You should send a customized message with each connection request. Introduce yourself to the individual and explain why you want to connect with them. It’s far more successful than LinkedIn’s boring request, and it shows that you put some consideration into connecting with this individual!

Optimizing your website is different from optimizing your LinkedIn profile. The website might get you traffic but your LinkedIn profile builds your network.

What additional fixes do you have for your LinkedIn profile?