There are many ways to be found, noticed and contacted on LinkedIn.

If you’re not using at least some of them, you may be losing your opportunities every day. Today we will talk about setting the right keywords to make sure the right people will see your profile.

How to create influence on LinkedIn: keywords and beyond

Keywords are the heart of LinkedIn Search.

It is therefore crucial that you understand how to utilize them in the most efficient manner. To improve the possibility of getting on the radar of your target prospects, you can insert your carefully selected keywords in the following sections of your LinkedIn Profile:

Headline

Summary

Work Experience

Skills

Interests

But what do we mean by “carefully selected keywords”? We mean the keywords that someone would use in their LinkedIn search to find a professional such as yourself. You need to ask yourself the following questions:

How do your ideal prospects refer to you?

What do you wish to be found for?

What keywords does your competition use?

Let’s assume for example that you are a Social Media Consultant who wishes to reach more clients for his/her business. You would need to head over to the above Sections of your LinkedIn Profile and use words such as:

Social Media Consultant

Social Media Expert

Social Media Trainer

Social Media Coach

Social Media Advisor

Social Media Professional etc.

It is important to note though: when you’re using keywords woven throughout your descriptions of your work experience and other sections that they make sense within the overall context of your profile. Nothing turns people off more than a mindless stringing-together of keywords. Not to mention that you’ll sooner or later be in a bad favour with LinkedIn’s algorithm.

Of course, keywords are the most important element when crafting your LinkedIn profile; they are the “meta” (or macro) design to help you attract people to visit your profile.

However, there is another level – let’s call it the “micro” element that will give your profile an added level of memorability and influence.

Know your prospects and potential employers – what is special about them?

As in any marketing or promotion effort, of course it is key that you identify your audience. Who are you trying to reach?

Suppose you’re a commercial photographer and want to reach graphic designers to hire you for projects? What do you know about graphic designers? Of course, they are visually-oriented. So make sure to thread through your descriptions of your Experience, Summary, Skills sections of your Profile that you use words like “view” , “see” , “picture”, “visualize”. These are all words that appeal to the very keen eye of the graphic designer.

Also, one would think it goes without saying, but often overlooked is to make sure that you show, on your Profile, wherever possible, examples, pictures of your work. This helps your customer imagine your work in their projects. And of course, LinkedIn provides that opportunity, in almost every section, to upload or add photos, pictures and other graphics.

Another example: Suppose you are trying to appeal to Financial executives, CFO’s, Accountants, or “number crunchers”. They might not be so interested in “visions of the future” or “pictures”, but they will be very drawn whenever they see a reference to “smart money” or “return on investment” or calculations that prove a method for saving or earning money.

“Helping” professionals – if you want to reach doctors, nurses, therapists, counselors and others – use words like “heal” “health” “nurture” “thrive” “help” .

And you will find that when you do use these words, your readers/prospects will have the reaction “she speaks my language”, “he understands me”,“ we’re on the same page”. That’s because “like likes like” – people feel heard and understand when they are in an atmosphere (or reading a Profile) that seems to connect with their world.

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