LinkedIn is a valuable, but often overlooked, resource. With minimal effort, you can drastically improve your profile exposure. Take advantage of these LinkedIn secrets to increase your profile views.

1. Make your profile rich with keywords. When the keywords on your profile and the keywords individuals are searching match, you rank higher in the search and gain more exposure. It is important to integrate quality keywords throughout your profile, but be sure you avoid too many keywords (which can make your profile a dry read). You really want to think about what your audience is looking for and write for that. Answer those questions, and use those words. Utilize a few strategies to establish the best keywords for you. First, brainstorm words and phrases likely to be searched by the individuals you want viewing your profile. Second, read through profiles of leaders in your target markets to find common keywords they use. Third, examine keywords used in job postings by your target employers. Integrate these keywords throughout your profile, from your specialties section to your link descriptions.
2. Promote your LinkedIn profile elsewhere. Include a link to your profile on your Twitter account, Facebook account, Google+ account, your website, your email signature, and your business cards. Make sure people can easily find you on LinkedIn.
3. Take advantage of the reciprocation principle. Psychology research shows we have a strong internal desire to reciprocate. It is a survival mechanism for our species (I can help you by sharing food, protecting you, etc. without worrying I am losing because I know you will return the favor). It’s also a great way to get recommendations and endorsements. Spend some time filling these gems out for others, and soon your profile will be filled with them too.
4. Interact often in groups. Actively participate in group discussions relevant to your industry. Before you post, however, familiarize yourself with the group’s tone. Get a feel for the posting style (is it formal or casual?), structure of successful posts (do they tend to be questions or pieces of advice?), and length of posts and responses (are they usually short, medium, or long?). Getting a sense of the group’s dynamic will help you better craft responses, and in turn, see better engagement from group members. Find a few key groups in your industry and begin interacting regularly. Your regular contribution can turn into group members viewing your profile.
5. Publish articles regularly. Posts are connected to your profile, making it easy for those who read your posts to view your profile. It’s a simple way to get more eyes on your profile. You can also share posts in your LinkedIn groups as an easy way to offer something of value to the group. Posts don’t need to be long to be of value to your audience, and you can always rework posts from your website. For more insight into the benefits of blog publishing, and tips on generating ideas, check out our blog post.
6. Post status updates regularly. Share industry-related articles, ask an insightful question, anything to keep your LinkedIn page active and providing value to its viewers.

LinkedIn is a valuable social media tool, both for the employee and the business he/she works for. If you want to improve your LinkedIn marketing, but need assistance, Alpine Small Business Solutions is here for you! We’d love to help with this or any aspect of small business building. Just reach out with an email or phone call today!