7 Things to Have on Your Freelance LinkedIn Profile
Networking and generating leads is not always fun for freelancers, but it’s part of the job. Luckily, there’s a place on the internet that can help with both: LinkedIn.
If you’re new to freelancing or just haven’t set up your business LinkedIn profile yet, let’s go over why the platform is valuable for freelancers and the elements you need to include on your profile.
Should Freelancers Have a LinkedIn?
According to LinkedIn, 4 out of 5 users drive business decisions at their organization. These decision makers include C-level executives, small business owners, and even influencers. For freelancers, this means that regardless of what industry you work in, there’s a good chance that your potential clients are on this app just waiting to connect with a service provider like you.
LinkedIn is more than a networking platform or digital resume. When used effectively, LinkedIn can be a great way to get in front of the right people and source valuable leads for your freelance business.
If you want to be found by potential clients, become a thought leader, or grow your network of freelancers, then having a LinkedIn profile is essential as a freelancer.
7 Things to Include on Your LinkedIn Profile
So, where should you get started if you’re new to LinkedIn or not sure how to position yourself as a new consultant or business owner?
If you’re working on building your freelancing presence on the business app, here are 7 things you need to have on your freelance LinkedIn profile to see success on the platform.
1. Profile picture
If you’re thinking, “ugh, do I really need a profile picture? LinkedIn isn’t a dating app!” then consider this: according to LinkedIn’s own research, having a profile picture makes your profile 14 times more likely to be viewed.
Your picture is one of the first things people will see when you discover your profile in search results and can help them decide whether or not they want to check out your profile. While the actual image you choose might not be a dealbreaker, *not* having a profile picture can hurt your legitimacy. And as a freelancer, you are your brand. The last thing you want is to look unprofessional.
Choose a high-res image, like your most recent headshot, and make sure it’s a close-up of your face. LinkedIn suggests that your face should take up around 60% of the frame. The picture should also be authentic to your business and the people you want to work with. For example, if you work with creative brands, then your profile picture can probably be a little less serious than if you’re a consultant for government clients.
2. Background image
LinkedIn also offers an opportunity to have a background image on your profile. The background image is a banner-style photo similar to a cover photo on Twitter or Facebook.
You can use this area as an opportunity to visually represent your expertise and business. In my background image, I added a photo of myself writing in a notebook to represent that I’m a writer (creative, I know). This could also be a good way to display your logo if you have one, or whatever else represents what you do.
3. Optimized headline
If you’re wondering how to list yourself as a freelancer on LinkedIn, there’s no secret formula. But the word “freelancer” or “consultant” needs to be somewhere on your profile, and the headline is the most effective placement.
Your headline is the title that shows up next to your name. After your profile picture and name, the title is one of the first elements that people will see before they decide to visit your profile.
Optimizing your headline is essential to get discovered by clients on LinkedIn. To make your title search-friendly, think about what a client would type in if they were looking for your service. In addition to the word “freelance,” include your role — whether you’re a writer, graphic designer, or SEO strategist.
After your role, include any other signifiers that help clients understand what you do or who you work with. For example, in my headline above I included “Freelance Content Writer for Marketing and Business Software.” This gives people an idea of the industry and the type of clients I work with. It’s a quick way to let people know if they’re a good fit for your services.
If you need inspiration for what to include in your headline, look up a title that you want to use and see what headlines other freelancers use.
Also, make sure your profile is searchable in the first place! Check your privacy settings to see which parts of your profile are visible and to whom. You can make your entire profile public or keep certain elements private to connections like your profile pic or contact info.
4. Engaging about section
If you think of your freelance LinkedIn profile as you would your website, the About section should have the hook of your homepage with the depth of your About page. It should provide an overview of who you are and what you do.
You can use this section to highlight your services, past and current clients, the “why” behind your business, or fun facts about you. Consider what potential clients may be interested in learning if they stumbled on your profile from a LinkedIn search. Use this section as an opportunity to answer their questions or direct them to a place where they can find more information like your website or portfolio.
And don’t be afraid to show off your personality! Freelance writer Kat Boogaard uses her LinkedIn About section to give visitors a glimpse into her voice and storytelling skills, which helps demonstrate her credibility and expertise as a writer. The takeaway? Show, don’t tell.
5. Featured work
After the About section comes the Featured section. This area is an excellent opportunity to show off your best work. Think of it as a mini portfolio. Choose to display links or projects that will compel potential clients to contact you to learn more.
The content options LinkedIn gives you for this section are:
A post
An article
A link
Media
On my LinkedIn profile, I chose to feature a few of my favorite articles that I’ve written and represent the type of work I do. You could also feature websites you’ve worked on, graphics you’ve created, or press you’ve been featured in.
6. Experience
Similar to how it’s used for a traditional 9-5 job, the experience section helps give people more insight about your background.
Freelancers have a couple of options when it comes to listing your freelance experience. Some people choose to list their freelance business as one experience, and mention clients and services in the description (as I’ve done below).
Some freelancers also go the route of listing every client they’ve worked with as a separate experience. This option could be effective if you want to leverage the well-known brands you’ve worked with. This also works better if you tend to work with clients over a long period of time rather than for one-off projects. Let’s say you’re a consultant or take on temporary contract work and usually work with clients for a few months at a time. Listing each client as a separate experience could let other people know that that’s how you prefer to work with long-term clients.
7. Client testimonials
When you wrap up a client project, it’s a freelance best practice to ask for a testimonial or review. These testimonials usually live on your website, but you can also use them to boost your LinkedIn presence.
If you’re already connected with your client on LinkedIn, ask them if they’d be open to sharing a recommendation. If you’re not already connected, reach out! You can then repurpose the recommendations on your website to get the most use out of them.
Recommendations show up at the bottom of your LinkedIn profile and offer great social proof for anyone who’s considering working with you.
Wrapping it up
LinkedIn is, at the very least, an excellent way to get discovered by new clients, and, at most, a valuable source of leads for your freelance business. If you want to grow your online presence, get discovered by potential clients and collaborators, and position yourself in the freelancing space, then it’s more than worth it to set up your freelance LinkedIn profile.
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