5 Innovative (and Free) Ways to Build Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn

It’s no secret that LinkedIn can help you build a professional presence online—but you may feel lost when it comes to actually making that happen. If you’re one of many people who don’t know how to optimize LinkedIn branding efforts, here are five easy tips to get started for free.

1. Improve Your LinkedIn Profile

Start with the most important element in brand boosting: your LinkedIn profile. Be authentic and honest with the information you provide. Focus on what you can bring to the table, and avoid cliché words like “team player” or “extensive experience.” Describe your skills in a unique way to stand out from the crowd. Make your headline count using keywords and a confident tone. Use the Summary and Experience sections on your profile to humanize your brand and share more about your vision for the company.

Add interest to your profile by using a background image. Instead of uploading a stock photo, choose or take one that showcases your brand, your hometown, or another unique aspect. There are also places on your profile where you can add YouTube videos or presentations.

2. Optimize Your Profile Photo

Your profile picture is the first thing people you want to connect with will see. It’s a key component for personal brand building, and there’s no room to make rookie mistakes. Add a professional profile picture that lines up with the role you have. Stand with your personal brand’s logo in the background for an extra ounce of web marketing and professionalism. Successful social media marketing hinges on presenting your best self.

Read more about social marketing trends in our article, “Your Starter Kit for Winning at Social Marketing in 2016.”

3. Share More Content

Publish posts on LinkedIn consistently, showcasing your brand’s thought leadership in your industry. Be personal in your posts, highlighting what means the most to you. Publish long-form content to engage with your audience and build credibility. Update your status, what projects you’re working on, what you’re reading, and events you’re attending to stay relevant. Join groups that are significant to you on LinkedIn, and share your content there.

4. Personalize Your Feed

Did you know you can change the updates you see in your LinkedIn news feed? Tap on the menu button of any update in your feed, and click “Improve your experience.” Then, choose which updates you’d like to see based on connection recommendations and topics to follow. Tailoring your news feed can help your personal brand stay on top of changing industry trends, boosting your credibility and relevance.

5. Make Connections That Count

LinkedIn is all about connecting with your target audience. Building your LinkedIn network directly affects your personal brand. Connect with strategic associations that will strengthen your online presence. A smart practice is to connect with friends, colleagues, industry leaders, and professionals in your niche. Networking starts with reaching out, so don’t be afraid to ask people to introduce you to important contacts.

Every brand can use these free tips to build its personal presence on LinkedIn, ultimately increasing awareness and sealing conversions. BuzzRecruiter offers brand identity and design services for recruiters who want to take their profiles a step further.