Best Shots:
Specially Ask for Headshots
Using a solid color or plain background (think bright!) seems easy to understand, right? Yes and no.
We recommend sticking with your name on LinkedIn, some benefits, like Kunz:
Source: LinkedIn
Emojis help you identify automated messages from a mile away. When salespeople send a "personalized" DM, the marketing tool picks up your name (or what it thinks is your name). You can identify robots if you put an emoji in front of your name — they say “Hi.”
Emojis can indicate your area of expertise. Some freelance writers use a pencil emoji to tie their name to writing. Others, like Kunz, use a trademark symbol or lowercase letters to stand out.
Overall, be cautious with potential clutter or distractions in your legal name. Your name is your brand.
5. Write a catchy headline.
A headline is a brief subheading that appears below your name on your profile and in searches.
Chima Mmeje, SEO copywriter and content strategist at Zenith SEO Copywriting, says the ideal freelance headline answers the question, “What do you do and for whom?”
Stay focused — you can use your entire profile to paint a more comprehensive picture.
“I’ve seen freelance writers offer conversion copywriting, SEO, and digital marketing services in one headline,” Mmeje says. “It’s confusing and makes it hard to pinpoint your expertise.”
“I’ve seen freelance writers offer conversion copywriting, SEO, and digital marketing services in one headline.” It’s confusing and makes it hard to pinpoint your expertise. ”
Vanderstadt says the LinkedIn headlines of top freelancers include five or six words — a description of their expertise and some keywords companies might be searching for.
Think of something like:
“Conversion copywriting for 6-figure e-commerce companies”
“I help busy CEOs streamline their day-to-day work through my virtual assistant service. ”
Don’t just use LinkedIn’s default: your current job title and company. This is more suitable for full-time employees who are not actively looking for a new job, rather than freelancers who are marketing themselves on LinkedIn.
Don’t use a title that says you are “willing to work” or “freelance.”
There are other ways to do this, such as turning on LinkedIn’s “Open for Business” feature.
Source: LinkedIn
Remember that first impressions matter. Your name, title, background image, and profile photo are the first things that potential clients see. Make them count.
6. Set your location.
These days, hiring managers don’t care about location. Most freelance marketing jobs are online.
But location still matters to LinkedIn’s algorithm. For example, when business owners and recruiters search for social media marketers, the algorithm prioritizes nearby first-degree connections, similar to Google’s proximity filter.
So be sure to include your current location, or a city near where you live. If you live in a small town, it’s best to use the largest nearby metropolitan area, since most companies are located in large cities. This makes it more likely that you will show up in potential clients’ searches.
Many freelancers use LinkedIn as their website, so they don’t have an additional portfolio to list.
If you do have a separate portfolio (or multiple websites), include it in the contact information on your LinkedIn profile.
LinkedIn allows you to add up to three external links in the Contact Info section of your profile header. However, think about the order and label each link according to your priority. Which website do you most want potential clients to click on?
Put it first—and only add more links if necessary.
Default labels for your website links are available b cell phone in the drop-down menu. To add a custom label for your website URL, select “Other.”
Dress Business Casual
Avoid wearing clothes that blend into the background (or skin tone)
Smile directly into the camera
Candid shots can also work. These days, freelancers dress smartly, says Vanderstadt.
(Basically, if your profile photo has your dog in it, it's fine.)
Some tips for uploading photos:
Leave space around your face for the cleanest look
Consider adding a ring around your photo to make you stand out
Click on your photo and set Visibility to Public to make it visible to second and third degree contacts.
4. Use your full name.