2/22/2022 - By Allie Jackson
Social media continues to ebb and flow in modern times. It has become apparent since its birth that it is a powerful tool for showcasing your business, reaching clients, targeting audiences and sharing your personal achievements and content.
Thought leadership is highly valued, but before you can even get to creating and publishing content, it’s important to have your information online up to date. The simplest way to start becoming a credible thought leader is through your LinkedIn profile. This professional social media platform is a vastly beneficial and influential platform for networking and communicating your thoughts and ideas with peers, maintaining professional connections, and overall – showcasing YOU.
First, you want your profile visitors to see an updated photo to connect a face with a name. If they can’t recognize you, they may not connect with you. On this platform, it’s important to have a clear, close-up, professional headshot. A photo can say a lot about you and it’s the perfect start to showcasing your personal brand. Keep in mind, smiling profile photos typically come off as more approachable.
Second, you must also combine consistent activity with the overall aesthetic and visual of your LinkedIn profile. Having an active LinkedIn profile is important because this is one of the first things potential connections will see. People notice your activity on social media, and you want your viewers and connections to get to know the “who” behind your personal brand. Being active will show them your expertise, personality and even the culture behind the company you work for – depending on what you share and how you share it.
You can achieve different goals (or all of them) on LinkedIn:
I highly recommend updating all these sections, but remember, LinkedIn can be strategic. It’s a professional platform that you should be using to your advantage, so don’t let it gather dust.
See thought leadership in action by following Saltmarsh on LinkedIn or by visiting our Resources to explore topics of interest.
About the Author | Allie Jackson
Allie is a marketing assistant for Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund. She assists with the coordination of firm marketing initiatives, branding and communications. Allie is also responsible for maintaining the firm’s social media presence, content programs and digital campaigns. Her strengths include communication, copywriting and graphic design. Prior to joining Saltmarsh, Allie was a marketing associate at a Fortune 500 financial services company.
Connect with Allie on LinkedIn!