How to Make a Powerful First Impression On LinkedIn Mobile
You have just five seconds to position yourself as an expert with your LinkedIn profile.When people find you on LinkedIn mobile, they will only see your profile picture and headline. This is ultimately your first impression—and where people will decide to learn more about you. Your goal should be to make this valuable space as professional as possible, it’s your elevator pitch.
Without an appealing LinkedIn mobile profile, you may miss out a new client, a potential business partner, or a future job opportunity. In today’s social media world, investing in LinkedIn is a must. Be prepared to stand-out and highlight who you are. You need 4 sections to stand out on mobile.
Four tips for a powerful first impression on LinkedIn mobile.
1. Use a Current Professional Profile Photo
Your profile photo is everyone’s first visual impression of you and an important part of your personal branding—you’ll want to make sure you do it right. An inviting profile photo can persuade people want to read your profile. If you don’t have a decent portrait, it’s time to contact a local professional photographer today.
Are you based in Switzerland? Peter Sturn, Pixstudios, is an international business- and people photographer from Switzerland with a unique and modern style.
2. Write a Powerful Headline
The first words are the most impactful on a mobile device. You’ll want to write a catchy sentence that encourages people to open your profile. This is where the magic happens—potential clients, recruiters, and business partners are bored with seeing generic headlines such as, “LinkedIn Strategist and Trainer at Kessler Social Media.”
Here’s a free tool Andrew Magermann programmed to help write a punchy first sentence on mobile: www.socialmediautility.ch
Creating catchy text isn’t your passion? Jacob Warwick, ThinkWarwick, is the expert in crafting.
3. Wow Visitors with a Custom Background Picture
Did you know that you can add a background image behind your profile? This is an opportunity to share an enticing slogan, tell more about yourself, highlight your services, or emphasize your passions. The key to standing out is by being authentic and transparent—this is your career website, not your CV.
It takes courage; however, professionals that I have trained have been amazed at the possibilities of their personal branding when it’s been thought through. Need help creating a custom graphic? Susanne Sudhoff, greenmint, is a graphic design expert.
4. Share Your Career Summary and Shine with the First Sentence
On the LinkedIn mobile app, the first sentence is the only section of your summary that you can see without clicking further. Do you see the three dots on the second line? (See below) Click on that and the full summary is shown.
Many people don’t know that when creating their summary on the desktop version, so be sure to put extra priority on the first sentence.
Remember, Your LinkedIn Profile is Your Career Story on the Go.
Standing out with creative text and visuals will attract people—which means more business! Show the
authentic you, write content, and share your experiences and tips with the world.
Have you optimized your LinkedIn profile for a mobile device? What steps are you thinking about taking to improve your LinkedIn presence? Share your advice, and thoughts in the comments section below. Thank you!
Erica Kessler is the founder and CEO of Kessler Social Media.
A LinkedIn marketing strategist, trainer, and speaker. Erica empowers and consults business people, companies in Switzerland and English speaking countries to boost influence, earn more business, identify potential clients, and find top talent using LinkedIn marketing.