LinkedIn is an extremely powerful social media platform with as many as 50 million users. Because LinkedIn is a business networking platform, the people who use LinkedIn are high quality individuals who are often searching for what YOU have to offer! When people are searching for your industry, or specialty on LinkedIn, it’s important that your profile will be on the top of the search results and not lost in the mix. By ranking over others for a specific key term, you can be seen as a credible source in your industry. Read our tips on how to SEO your LinkedIn profile so you can be found by the people who matter.
Choose Your Keywords:
In LinkedIn, others will find your profile through the “people search” function. Pick one or two key terms that you would like to rank well for. Think of something that is related to your industry, or that you are specialized in. For example, one of our Web Full Circle team members may want to rank well for “social media”, “search engine optimization”, or “website design” as these are areas we specialize in. Make sure the term you decide for yourself is in fact something that you believe you excel in. Doing this ensures that when others find your profile they can clearly see through your experiences why you are a quality candidate that represents this keyword.
Where to Place Your Keyword:
1. Headline
The headline is the very first thing seen when others view your LinkedIn profile. This area is used to sum up your professional identity in a short phrase. Often users put their current job title or their area of specialty if they are looking for employment. Placing your desired keyword here is essential as the headline is the most relevant area of your profile that displays just what you are an expert in.
2. Current Work Experience
This is an extremely relevant area to add your keyword to as it is what you are currently doing business in. The same goes for if you are currently looking for a job opportunity, be sure your keyword reflects the industry you would like to be working in.
3. Past Work Experience
It is helpful to include your keyword in your past work experience as this shows viewers that you are experienced in this industry.
4. Summary
The Summary section is your area to express your professional experience and goals. Think of it as the soapbox you stand on to tell everyone what you have done, what you are doing, and the kinds of things you are interested in for the future. When adding your keyword to this section, make sure it looks clean and fits neatly into your sentences. You don’t want to inject the keyword repetitively without it making sense. Fashion your summary in a way that is to the point, and lets others know why you are an expert in regards to this keyword.
5. Specialties
This section is meant for you to mention particular skills or experiences you consider your professional specialties. Include your main keyword in this area among other relevant keywords that will showcase what you are skilled in through precise phrases.
Ready to Stand Out on LinkedIn?
Using this approach your LinkedIn profile should be fully optimized to ensure you are much more likely to be seen in the LinkedIn people search results. Your profile is similar to a webpage, in that what is shown at the top is the most important and the further you continue down, the less significant the information is. Your keywords should be most visible at the top of your page and then the terms should continue to trickle down into the rest of your profile.
LinkedIn is an incredible tool to help you personally brand yourself, and extend your reach within your industry. Optimizing your profile for specific keywords will allow you to further connect and network with industry leaders. Don’t miss out on the opportunity of being seen.
While Twitter doesn’t allow an excess of SEO, there are still some important elements you can utilize for SEO value when creating your profile.
SEO Title: Your Twitter Username
On Twitter your username works for SEO purposes as title tags. Your user name is what you will see after the “@” symbol. Edit your username under “settings”. If a keyword you would like to use is still available, you may want to consider using it in your Twitter username for added value.
Profile Image: Filename and ALT Tag
When uploading your profile photo, make sure to optimize it by using your keyword or username as the filename. Twitter will automatically use this file name for the ALT tag of your profile image as well.
Bio: Use of Keywords
Use keywords when appropriate in your Twitter bio. Certain Twitter search engines use these keywords to pull your name up when people are looking for your industry or interest you utilize as a keyword. Never leave your Twitter bio blank as this is not only great for search purposes, but also for connecting to other users similar to you. Use the 160 allotted characters to tell what your industry is about.
Twitter URL:
While Twitter uses the nofollow attribute, still include your website link in your Twitter bio so new followers will know where to find your website. You won’t get any link juice from it, but it will add to increased website exposure and traffic.
Background Image:
While it’s easy to just depend on the default Twitter background, this is yet another area you can utilize for branding and SEO purposes. Create a background design that shows who you are by mirroring your websites design, or signature colors. Also, it’s important to add your company website as a call to action. Twitter can be tricky with backgrounds, but if you can format it to look right, feel free to also include your logo, tagline and even phone number.
Tweets: Content and Use of Keywords
Write tweets that are interesting, and relevant to your industry. This will increase the likelihood of your tweet being “Re-tweeted” by others and therefore will increase your exposure. More people will be brought to your Twitter page, which then also allows the opportunity for increased website traffic as well.
While it’s a big Twitter faux pas to write “spammy” tweets, use your keyword in your tweet when it is appropriate and looks right. Add the “#” to your keyword to allow Twitter users who are searching for this keyword, to find your tweet.
(Source: webfullcircle.com)
Internet Marketing and Website Design Company, Web Full Circle is a tree sponsor for the 2011 Festival of Trees held by The Arc of Mecklenburg County. This organization serves and supports children and adults with developmental disabilities.
The Arc of Mecklenburg County is a network that connects people and families with development disabilities to community resources. The organization creates awareness in the community about development disabilities, while also providing programs to prepare those with disabilities for greater independence and social understanding. Those with disabilities are empowered through their programs and services, while the community and legislators are educated on their needs.
Web Full Circle sponsored a tree for the event and gave it an industry related technology theme. Technologies from the past and present are represented on the tree as everything from floppy disks, to CDs, keyboard keys and popular search engine and social media icons are represented. The Web Full Circle team participated by crafting ornaments and decorating the tree, and turning to social media to promote the cause.
Web Full Circle will be attending the Festival of Trees Prevue Party on December 9th to support the cause and see the lighting of the sponsored trees. The event will be held at the Harvey B. Gantt Center and will include live music, and a silent action. For more information about The Arc of Mecklenburg County and the Festival of Trees please visit: arcmeck.org
See the finished Web Full Circle “Technology Tree” here:
Web Full Circle is a proud sponsor of Blackbridge Movember, Charlotte’s local branch of a global movement to bring awareness to prostate cancer and men’s health. During “Movember”, men around the world grow mustaches throughout November and are coined as “MoBros”. These mustached men gather supporters of their mustache’s growth and fundraise through the month for their cause.
Web Full Circle sponsored Blackbridge Movember through team participation and website design of blackbridgemovember.com. The organization’s website details information about the cause, and ways for community members to get involved. Additionally, tickets can be purchased on the website for the group’s fundraising party. The event celebrates the mustache growing participants and supporters and continues to raise month for men’s health. To honor Blackbridge Movember, Web Full Circle will be attending the Movember Party on December 1st at Andrew Blair’s on Montford.
Web Full Circle also participated in Blackbridge Movember as team members grew their mustaches as “MoBros”. Through social media Web Full Circle promoted the cause and the progress of the team member’s mustaches. Have a look at our office “MoBros” and their ‘staches below:
Happy Movember everyone! We are happy to support a wonderful cause that brings awareness to the important issues of men’s health and prostate cancer.
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