Being a writer is not easy. You not only have to pour out your soul everyday into words, but you need to make sure those words reach out to the right people. It is always better to go that extra mile and turn your passion into your profession than be torn in between a passion and a job that are not related to each other.
So, it is essential that you take the right steps to reach out to the publishers and actually make a move to get published. The Internet has made our lives easier that way. You do not need to walk door to door, from one publishing house to another, anymore with a copy of your book. Social media now connects people who might just benefit from knowing each other.
LinkedIn is the perfect social networking site that is meant precisely for professionals like you to connect with people who might be of help to your career. But a lot depends on creating the right profile page for your LinkedIn account. Your profile page represents you as a person. That is what people see before they actually connect with you and get to know you. So, here are five tips for writers like you to create that amazing and functional LinkedIn profile page that will surely help you reach out to your potential clients.
1. The Profile Picture
Like I mentioned before, the profile page is actually a representation of you. So, it is essential that you have a photo on your profile. A photograph increases the credibility of the profile. But the photo needs to be of you, not Natalie Portman. It should be a good quality picture taken in a properly lit setting. Additionally, it should be a front face photo, where you do not look, grumpy or posed serious. Let it be a nice warm smiling photo that would immediately make people want to go through the rest of your profile.
2. The Headline
Though it consists of just a few words, yet the headline is the second thing people will notice, after your photo. Make sure it has all your key skills, strengths and past experiences clearly stated. If you won any award for your writing prowess in the past, you can always include it in the headline. This is your first chance to impress people with your words; do it carefully and do it well.
3. The Summary
This is what will people read about you. This is your chance to let your creativity loose and put in as much information as you can without sounding very pushy. Describe who you are; but do not make things up. You never know, you might have to meet one of these people face to face, who you get to know through LinkedIn. Do not use unnecessary jargons and flowery adjectives. Write your summary in crisp short sentences. Break it down into paragraphs. Include interesting anecdotes of past experiences related to your writing. It is always a good idea to state clearly your purpose of connecting through LinkedIn. That will help you connect to the right people. Additional tip: add keywords related to your desired job profile in your summary.
4. The Detail
Fill your entire profile with detail. Fill all the fields that they offer at LinkedIn. This includes past experiences, qualifications, skills, contact information- everything. Do not go lazy and skip certain bits.
5. The Portfolio
The portfolio increases the interesting quotient of your profile. Add a portfolio with excerpts of your writings, presentations you made, links to your published work etc. This will help your profile stand out and get noticed easily.
Image credit: Nan Palmero on flickr and reproduced under Creative Commons 2.0[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://writingtipsoasis.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/215888_10150217537488939_1231540_n.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Abhinanda Banerjee is a full-time freelance writer and stage actor. She’s an avid reader, culinary enthusiast, and lover of everything about the sixties.
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