I have previously not been a fan of LinkedIn, particularly as I was being stalked there by a member of another platform, which I won't mention!

But, he continually left derogatory comments on my websites, so I eventually deleted my LinkedIn account.

I now have a new account and thought I would learn as much as I could about using it.

Here are some tips I have acquired.

However, some of these may be more relevant if you are hoping to find work or collaboration, rather than just attracting traffic to your website.

Use a professional-looking headshot: Admittedly mine isn't really appropriate, as it should be clear, well-lit, a high resolution and you should be dressed as befits your industry. A professional photo attracts up to 21 more times views, and up to 9 times more connection requests.

Add keywords to your headline: The headline is directly below your name in your profile, and should showcase what you can do. It should be concise, yet comprehensive. As you can see on my account, I have added Freelance Content Creator | Pinterest Image Designer | Medium Story Writer, as these are the services I offer.

Add an engaging CTA to your "About" section: This area is for you to show off your skills, starting with a strong opening sentence. It should be reader-friendly, with a CTA inviting people to contact you. For example, mine ends with "Let’s connect and create something amazing together!"

Add achievements to your Experience section: I haven't yet done this, but this is where you can list your achievements, starting with the most significant. Use keywords such as Led, Managed, Designed, etc to emphasize your skills.  

Customize your LinkedIn URL: At the top right of your profile, is your LinkedIn URL which typically is your name and a series of random letters or numbers. You should customize this for branding and memorability. Use either your name if it is available, or that of your website.

Use a simple, uncluttered background photo: Your background photo which appears at the top of your profile, should be relatively simple, but eye-catching, with either your job title or something website-related if preferred. The optimum size is 1584 x 396, you can find templates in Canva.