Personal branding part 4: Put it all together on LinkedIn

Posted:

  by Kath Magrobi

Personal branding part 4: Put it all together on LinkedIn

If you’ve been following (and acting on) our series of posts about personal branding, you’ll have developed some tools to showcase your talents. 

Next question: where to start?

We’d recommend LinkedIn as a good place to begin. Our experience is that professional women feel safest on LinkedIn – there are fewer personal attacks and much less of a tendency for posts to be hijacked for other people’s agendas. 

There are opportunities to network, amplify your voice, challenge systemic biases, and access resources for personal and professional growth. It’s also an ideal place to connect with the media. 

We’ve noticed that many women+ experts are not making full use of this platform. We also know that if you are listed on the QW+ database, a LinkedIn profile is an added source of information for journalists looking for someone to interview. 

Your personal brand

If needed, revisit these blog posts for a comprehensive guide to honing in on your niche and expertise: 

Optimising your LinkedIn profile

Choose the right profile picture

Your profile picture is the first impression you make on LinkedIn. Select a professional, high-quality photo that reflects your personality and conveys confidence and approachability. And don’t leave the background photo blank – if you have a logo, upload it (see for instance the profile of LinkedIn guru Sandra Clark). Or use a picture of yourself: see the profile of QW+ member Chimezie Anajama

Craft a compelling headline and summary

Your headline (the words that you see beneath your name) is your digital elevator pitch. Make it attention-grabbing and descriptive, highlighting your expertise and unique value proposition. Your summary (the About section) should complement your headline, providing a brief overview of your background, skills, and aspirations.

Highlight key accomplishments and expertise in the experience section

Use the experience section to showcase your professional journey and highlight key accomplishments, responsibilities, and skills. Quantify your achievements whenever possible and tailor your content to align with your personal brand and career goals.

Showcasing media features and appearances in the featured section

The featured section is a valuable space to showcase media features, interviews, and appearances. Include links to articles, interviews, podcasts, or videos where you’ve been featured to provide social proof of your expertise and credibility. And remember to update it when you have something new to show off!

Leveraging LinkedIn content

Publishing thought leadership articles on LinkedIn

Publishing articles on LinkedIn allows you to share your expertise, insights, and perspectives with a wider audience, positioning yourself as a go-to resource for industry-related topics.

Read LinkedIn’s detailed how-to on writing articles

Share industry insights, updates, and relevant content

Stay active on LinkedIn by posting industry insights, updates, and relevant content for your network. Share articles, news stories, and blog posts that resonate with your expertise and interests. By curating and sharing valuable content, you can demonstrate your knowledge and engage with your audience on important topics. 

Be engaged

Social media – even LinkedIn – is not a one-way street. Comment on other people’s posts, use the “Like” or other buttons to respond to people’s thoughts, and share what you’ve liked with other people in your network. Join groups related to your industry or expertise, and take part in group discussions.

Tips on connecting with media professionals

  • Start by identifying journalists, reporters, and media professionals who cover topics relevant to your expertise and industry. Use LinkedIn’s search feature to find and connect with individuals who work for media outlets or publications that align with your interests. Look for journalists who have written articles or produced content on topics related to your expertise.
  • When sending connection requests to media professionals, personalise your message to demonstrate genuine interest and value. (You may find that there’s a limit to how many personalised connection requests you can send, so prioritise the people who are most important to you.) Reference their work or recent articles to show that you’ve done your research. Once connected, nurture your relationships by engaging with their content, sharing relevant insights, and offering to provide expertise or commentary when appropriate.
  • Join LinkedIn groups related to media and journalism to expand your network and engage with industry peers. 

And if your time is limited?

You are probably thinking that this all sounds like a lot of time-consuming work. We’re not going to sugar-coat it: you are going to need to carve out some time. We suggest an upfront commitment of a couple of hours to beef up your profile, and then allocate just ten to 20 minutes a day to “pop in” to the platform. Even small actions can mount up.

Your first connection

Connect with Quote This Woman+ on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest insights and resources for women+ professionals and experts seeking media visibility. 

If you need help with LinkedIn services, such as optimising your profile, leveraging LinkedIn for media visibility, or navigating the platform effectively, reach out to us at QW+. Our team is dedicated to supporting women professionals and experts in maximising their impact and visibility. Contact agape@quotethiswoman.org.za to learn more about how we can help you achieve your goals.

Picture: Keeping in contact: street art in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal by Jono Hornby, photo by Jono Hornby