LinkedIn Tips for Freelancers

Posted on - Last Modified on

When it comes to freelancing, you need to expand your network to increase your chances of landing projects. One of the ways to do that is by reaching potential clients and colleagues through Linkedin.

But in a very crowded online marketplace comprised of different professionals, how can you make your Linkedin profile stand out? Here are some tips to help you.

Cover the Basics

There are three elements that your Linkedin profile should have in order to compel potential clients to add you to their network and consider you for a project. These are your photo, headline, and summary.

A profile picture is an important element because it provides a face to your whole profile. This makes you more relatable and memorable.

Whenever someone sees a Linkedin profile without a photo, it can make them feel skeptical, regardless if the person indicates that he’s the CEO or manager of some company. It can make people feel as if that person is hiding something, and you wouldn’t want potential clients to feel that way about you. Put a picture on your profile to increase not just your profile views and connections, but also your chances of being considered for a job.

When choosing a profile photo, keep it professional looking. If you don’t have one that’s taken in a studio, you can at least use a decent photo. By "decent," it means posting a clear picture of you with a good smile and appropriate clothing. Save your sexy selfies and drunk photos for other social networking sites.

Meanwhile, your headline should include who you are, what you do, and for whom, and your summary should be able to back that up. It’s advisable to write your headline and summary in the first person because this makes you more relatable to others.

Communicate in a way that clients can easily identify with. Don’t sound too casual, but don’t appear too pedantic either. Keep it conversational but make sure that you also maintain a tone of professionalism.

Also, you can consider including some keywords within your summary. This will help your profile get found easier. However, keep in mind that keyword stuffing is still a big no-no.

Showcase Your Skills and Experiences

As a freelancer, you may have gained a lot of work experience and a diverse skill set—and it’s important to let potential clients know about them. LinkedIn is a good avenue to showcase what you’ve got, so take advantage of it.

Include all your skills in your profile, as well as the different work experiences that you've had. To make it more organized, you can categorize your work experiences according to projects that you’ve participated in or clients that hired you.

Get Recommendations and Endorsements

Get other people to vouch for you through recommendations and skill endorsements, because these will help build your reputation.

Begin with creating recommendations or endorsements for people you’ve previously worked with. In most cases, they will return the favor and do the same for you. Otherwise, you can always get in touch with them and ask.

Network and Stay Up-to-date

Always keep your Linkedin profile updated. If you finished a project for a particular client, make sure to include it in your profile as soon as you can.

However, an updated and comprehensive profile may not be enough to reach your clients. That’s why you need to level up your networking and join groups within Linkedin. This will help you interact in the community, learn new things, find greater opportunities, and grow your network.

Posted 4 August, 2015

jdbsebastian

Content Writer

I produce written content for the Web--from internal webpages and blog posts to marketing materials such as off-page articles, e-books and outreach e-mails. Currently, my projects are on personal finance, health, business, fashion, and beauty products. I'll be glad to send you samples of my work. Please feel free to message me.

Next Article

3 Ways to Generate Leads through Social Media