If you are finding that technology is moving at light speed, and you are still considering upgrading your analog phone, then this post is probably not for you! However, for those who have already ‘Gone where no man has gone before…’ this quick Advanced LinkedIn Tutorial will show you how you can take your LinkedIn Profile to the next level. The embedded video tutorial in this post will assume that you already have a LinkedIn Profile, and will show you a few tips on increasing your visibility on LinkedIn Search Engine.

1. LinkedIn Tutorial | How to use LinkedIn
Advanced & optimize LinkedIn Profile
If you are finding that technology is moving at light speed, and you are still
considering upgrading your analog phone, then this post is probably not for you!
However, for those who have already „Gone where no man has gone before…‟ this
quick Advanced LinkedIn Tutorial will show you how you can take your LinkedIn
Profile to the next level.
The embedded video tutorial in this post will assume that you already have a
LinkedIn Profile, and will show you a few tips on increasing your visibility on
LinkedIn Search Engine.
Benefits of a LinkedIn Profile
Let‟s begin with some widely adopted truths:
Only when someone believes you have a good reputation and are credible,
will they consider doing business with you
People are making decisions, relying on more then traditional media.
Consumers consider websites, blogs, search, email and social media to
direct their decisions
Your Public Profile on LinkedIn acts as your Social Selling Business Card
Once you optimize your LinkedIn profile, it will generate more traffic to
your website

2. Since LinkedIn is an authority site, your LinkedIn profile is indexed and
ranked (if optimized properly)
Using Anchor Text in the links on your LinkedIn profile gives more „Link Juice‟ to
your website
How to optimize your LinkedIn Profile?
Now let‟s get started on optimizing your LinkedIn profile. Here are some key
items that will really boost the optimization of your LinkedIn profile:
a) Your Professional Headline in LinkedIn
Since you are limited by the number of characters you can enter in this space, it is
important to do keyword research on the key phrases or skill sets that will drive the
most traffic, and are in line with your experience. For example, if you specialize in
mobile marketing, you may consider using words such as „mobile marketing
expert‟, „mobile expert‟, „mobile applications‟ and/or „mobile websites‟.
b) Current and Past Employment History on LinkedIn
Typically job titles are entered here, however this is another key area where you
can insert keywords that are in line with your skills. For example, if you were the
VP of Franchise Development, you may consider entering additional keywords
after your official title such as, „Franchise Expert‟, „Franchise Advisor‟ and/or
„Franchise Consultant‟.
c) Employment Description Section on LinkedIn
This area plays a very important role in the optimization of your LinkedIn Profile.
Because it is not limited by the number of characters you can use, here you can
outline your job description in detail, all the while keeping in mind the key skill
sets you want to be identified for on LinkedIn.
d) Professional Summary on LinkedIn
This are is analogous to a cover letter. Ensure that the keywords you have been
optimizing for throughout your LinkedIn Profile are repeated sporadically in your
summary section.
e) LinkedIn Specialties

3. A great way to increase the keyword density, without having the profile sound as if
it was written for search engines, is to list your specialties. This allows for an easy
to follow list of skills, and it also increases the density and therefore the level of
optimization for those keywords.
f) LinkedIn Interests & LinkedIn Honors and Awards
An area that is often neglected when users optimize their Linkedin profiles are the
Interests and Honors & Awards sections. If you want your profile to rank for a
competitive keyword on Linkedin, chances are you will need to utilize these
sections in order to get the maximum repetition of the target keyword.
g) LinkedIn Vanity URLs
To ensure you are claiming your name, it would be wise to get your vanity url.
Simply go to this link, http://www.linkedin.com/profile/public-profile-settings and
type in your name the way people would search for it. If it is available, claim it.
h) Adding a LinkedIn Badge
Once your profile is professionally built and optimized, you want to drive traffic to
it. Remember, it is your “Social Selling Business Card”. You can do this by
adding a Linkedin Badge to your other web properties. Check out this link to learn
how to get the html snippet which you can use to put a Linkedin badge on your
website. www.linkedin.com/profile?promoteProfile
i) LinkedIn Groups
Another way to drive traffic to your profile is to be active on Linkedin Groups.
You are limited to joining 50, so pick wisely. Don‟t just join groups where all
your peers are. Try to join groups where your customers are, offer to connect
people and give advice to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise. Remember
to sign off using a link back to your profile or website.
j) LinkedIn Recommendations
This is an extremely valuable part of LinkedIn. The LinkedIn recommendations
are out on the web forever, and will be read by everyone who searches for you
online. To get recommendations, use personal notes rather then the automated
emails that the LinkedIn Recommendation module sends by default.

4. In summary, I hope we were able to prove how important it is to have a
professionally optimized LinkedIn Profile. It acts as your social selling business
card, and helps build credibility. However, remember that the old adage „if you
build it, they will come‟, only works in the field of dreams. You have to actively
optimize your LinkedIn Profile if you want to increase visibility and be found for
the areas in which you have expertise.
About the Author
A serial entrepreneur with extensive background in franchising and interests in
multiple online business channels, Jamshaid (Jam) Hashmi has played an
instrumental role in the franchise development and success of a renowned
international franchise company. His most recent entrepreneurial interests include
launching ClickTecs, a Digital Marketing company specializing in Search Engine
and Social Media Marketing as well as Website and Mobile Application
development. In 2007 he co-founded WSI Search Result, an online marketing
company that supplies services to Internet Marketing Consultants. A sought after
public speaker, Jam has been the featured keynote at many franchise conferences
and international summits. He regularly trains „C‟ Level Executives and supports
both new and seasoned business owners on SEO, Social Media, Mobile Marketing,
Brand Reputation Management and Conversion & Measurement through web
analytics. When he‟s not scaling the heights of the Internet world, Jam „unwinds‟
on extreme thrill-seeking adventures from the jungles of the Amazon to the highest
summits. His passions include working with NGOs on humanitarian missions to
areas around the world affected by disasters and poverty. http://clicktecs.com/