In Part One of this series, Shelly Holdaway shared five practical steps to improve your LinkedIn profile—from getting the right headshot to writing a headline that actually says something.
Now that you’ve got the basics covered, here are five more tips to help take your profile a step further. These ideas are still easy to do but go beyond the standard setup.
1. Update Your LinkedIn URL
Your LinkedIn URL doesn’t have to be a random string of letters and numbers. You can clean it up so it’s simple, memorable, and more professional—especially useful if you’re adding it to a resume, business card, or email signature.
How to do it:
- Go to your profile and click the pencil icon next to your public profile link.
- Select “Edit contact info.”
- Change your URL to something straightforward, like linkedin.com/in/yourname.
2. Make Sure Your Profile Photo Is Public
If you’ve taken the time to choose a solid profile photo (or follow the tips in Part One), make sure people can actually see it.
A visible, professional photo helps your profile feel more approachable and trustworthy at a glance.
Check your settings to ensure your photo is visible to everyone—not just your connections.
3. Use the Featured Section
This often-overlooked section lets you show off your best work—whether it’s a blog post, a recent project, or a link to your company’s website or newsletter.
Keep it simple: One or two strong examples are enough. The idea is to highlight something you’re proud of or that helps people understand what you do.
4. Ask for a Few Recommendations
Social proof matters. People are more likely to trust what others say about you than what you say about yourself.
Don’t be shy—reach out to a few coworkers, clients, or managers and ask if they’d be willing to write a short recommendation. In most cases, people are happy to help (and it’s a nice excuse to reconnect).
You can also offer to write one in return—it’s a great way to keep professional relationships strong.
5. Improve the Experience Section
This part of your profile is often just copied from a resume, but it can be much more than that. Use it to tell a bit of the story behind your job titles and projects.
Here’s how:
- Add keywords that describe your work or industry.
- Use job titles that are clear and specific (not vague ones like “Consultant”).
- If you have links, videos, or documents that show your work, include them.
This gives visitors a better picture of what you actually do—and helps your profile show up in search results.
Ready to Go from Polished to Powerful?
These five updates build on what you started in Part One. The more intentional you are with your profile, the more likely it is to open doors—whether you’re looking to grow your network, find leads, or just put your best foot forward online.
If you want help getting your profile aligned with your brand or company, our team at Intuitive Websites can guide you through it. Get in touch with us today, we’d love to help!
