How to Build Your Professional Brand on LinkedIn in 2019

In 2019 LinkedIn has quickly risen to the top of social media sites to invest your time on. 

At the 2019 Social Media Marketing World Conference, LinkedIn was a buzz with many sessions on personal branding, video marketing, content marketing and lead generation.  Marketing influencer Gary Vaynerchuk, said LinkedIn has transformed as a platform, not just for job seekers but for content marketing and believes LinkedIn is where Facebook was 5-7 years ago.

Showing up on LinkedIn always starts with developing your personal brand and translating that into a compelling profile that enhances your credibility and authority.

Build a better brand

LinkedIn platform updates since 2018 have been enormous and more in line with what other social platforms have implemented earlier such as video posts. Many of the LinkedIn profile tips I suggested previously remain true today. With that said it’s time to step up and build a better brand as savvy LinkedIn users gain a competitive advantage.

What an interesting profile vs a boring profile can do for you

Because you want your brand to get noticed, there are many factors that drive people to take action. With a great LinkedIn profile you will discover:

• Difference between gaining a connection and being ignored
• You attract leads organically
• Improves your professional reputation
• Builds your credibility and authority faster – establishes you as a thought leader
• You will Stand out and leave a lasting impression – & in this noisy online world, that’s key!

In this digital age, everyone has a personal brand

Did you know your personal brand already exists? The question is, does it reflect how you want to be seen? Do you stand out authentically and as an expert in your field?

• Do a Google search on your name – and more often than not, your LinkedIn profile shows on as the top result. So is your profile representing what you want people to know?
• Is it congruent with any other info that shows up in the search results such as your website?

I believe your LinkedIn profile is the best platform for reputation management.  Every professional should be managing their online brand in today’s digital environment and know what shows up in a Google search.  – it’s your responsibility! I recommend setting up a Google Alert for your name so you can monitor that easily.

“If you don’t have a powerful and visible personal brand, you are putting yourself at a disadvantage in almost every aspect of your professional, business and personal life. Personal branding has become a requirement for anyone looking to grow their business, get a better job, get noticed by the press, take their career to the next level or meet new, high quality friends.” – Mark Sweetwood

Create a personal brand statement which should be included in your headline along with a more detailed description of what you do and who you serve in your experience section. At the same time, think of how you position yourself as a thought leader in your niche.

Example of an effective headline:  MBA | Regional Manager | High Tech Evangelist | Helping companies Secure data and Accelerate Development

Example of a headline that is designed to grab the readers attention to learn more:

Making First Time Home Buying Simpler & Easier – My Guarantee is that I Won’t Treat You Like Just Another Transaction

Conclusion

Building a personal brand on LinkedIn will be the first step to building the trust factor with people you invite to connect and start to build relationships with. Your credibility is enhanced by making a powerful first impression.

To build your LinkedIn Power Profile, here’s your plan: https://linkedinforbusiness.net/linkedin-power-profile-plan