We recently launched a Business Wardrobe focused LinkedIn group – in one week we have added an impressive number of members and the group is getting stronger everyday.
This group is focused on the professional businessman and his clothing needs. I felt there was a need for this group outside of our other projects as the topics would all be business in nature and it will give men the opportunity to better interact.
To join – visit it here Real Men Real Style – Wardrobe Building for the Professional Man
There are already some amazing business style experts in the group such as:
Ann Reinten of the Australian Image Company
Grant Harris of Image Granted
And that's just the tip of the iceberg – go check out the group for yourself to see the great group of professionals we're assembling all of whom can offer relevant advice on dressing your best.
OK – now the reason I'm writing this article.
Houston, we have a Problem – Your LinkedIn Profile Sucks.
I'm not kidding.
Over half the men in the build your wardrobe group do not have professional pictures, have less than 5 connections, and most have not optimized their LinkedIn profile !
This is a big problem. Your LinkedIn profile is your online resume 24 hours a day 7 days a week. It appears at the top of the search engines and anyone can see it.
Fair or not – after someone meets you in a professional setting (or casual event) they will Google you. If they are not reassured by your online presentation they may not further the relationship.
Present a great LinkedIn public profile and you'll have people follow through and want to meet again. Present an underwhelming or worse negative looking profile and they'll terminate the relationship before it gets off the ground.
Who Needs a Professional LinkedIn Profile?
I would argue every man who is interested in a professional career needs to pay attention to this.
Whether you are a carpenter, banker, student, or professional stuntman – you need to manage your online presentation. In fact – the further your profession is from the tech field the better a strong LinkedIn profile will serve you as you'll stand out from the crowd.
Below is my video summary f this article.
How is this Related to Style?
A man's style isn't confined to his clothing.
Style extends to the type of accessories we carry, the brand of tools we use on the job, and the way we project our likeness across the internet.
Think about it – What type of mechanic do you want working on your car – the guy that always selects the cheapest route (to include his poor quality tools) or the man who invests in himself and his tools? I'll pay extra to have work done right by a professional.
In the same way people make a judgment about you in person based off your appearance – people are judging you online based off your presentation, especially when they can easily see you have the ability to do better but have chosen not to invest the time.
If you spent 5 minutes registering on LinkedIn, then take another 25 to ensure the first impression people form of you when they Google you is a positive one.
6 LinkedIn Profile Areas You Need To Improve
1. Your LinkedIn Picture
- Crisp and Clear Headshot – Most of us have a Senior high school senior portrait with more style in it than our professional linked in profile that every potential client and employer will see who is looking to hire you.
- Smile for the camera – even in a photo it sends a feeling of health and trust.
- Dress appropriately – this doesn't mean a suit, but the clothing right for your profession.
- Non-distracting background – the focus is you.
- Don't be afraid to stand out if you can do it professionally – people remember a creative image.
- Go big – you can enlarge LinkedIn pictures and you want to allow people to see you closer if they want.
2. Your LinkedIn Past
- Ensure it makes sense – are the experiences you are listing relevant to where you want to be?
- Keep it succinct – you have only a few seconds and don't drone on with corporate speak.
- View it as a whole – does it make sense? Does it look like you are moving or staying still or worse falling behind.
- Cut out experience that has no bearing on where you want to go.
3. Your Listed Education
- Be specific – not just the university but the school and discipline.
- Beef it up with classes and credentials – especially if you've gone through a career change or haven't graduated from a 4 year university.
4. LinkedIn Recommendations
- Give and you shall receive – use the law of reciprocity to build your recs.
- Sincere – don't make this up and ensure you are honest.
- Details and specific accomplishments are better than general buzz words.
- Keep them short – 150-250 words is plenty for LinkedIn.
5. LinkedIn Connections
- More is not better – but you want to get it over 100.
- Too few and LinkedIn regards your profile with suspicion (think spam).
- Once you pass 500 the true number does not appear. Some view 500+ connections as a LION (LinkedIn Open Networker) networker (for better or worse). This may or may not be the case – some people are just really popular.
- My policy early on was I needed to have a phone call with you to connect. The only time I break this is if you join my LinkedIn Wardrobe Group as I asked you to take a chance on me and you'll be getting to know me through video and audio business articles.
6. Listed Websites
- Link to your other websites/profile pages/examples of work across the web.
- Describe your website and make it interesting and relevant – not “Company Website”.
- Make it easy to connect with you – people have their own preferred paths.
