With LinkedIn being used by over 645 million members (source: LinkedIn) and actively used by businesses, recruiters like Artisan, creative companies and design studios it is an essential way of building your digital network.

Not only that, but on LinkedIn it is acceptable to stalk (within reason), as LinkedIn allows you to see who has viewed your profile in order to facilitate a connection. It is a platform where you can build your own personal brand as an individual and can give you access to peer created and industry level news.

On LinkedIn you can share knowledge, ask questions, gain insights, find out about upcoming events, gather important information, find job openings and opportunities inside and outside your circles, voice your opinions, participate in discussions, and so on... But how do you know if you're doing LinkedIn correctly? Well here are a few tips to get you set up and for using the platform effectively.

Profile tips for LinkedIn

1) Upload a profile photo

When setting up your Linkedin profile, just like any digital profile one of the first steps you are prompted to do is upload a profile photo. This is not just to make the page look pretty, this is an important part of establishing trust in the digital sphere. The age old quality of putting a face to the name.

According to the Harvard report “Linkedin for Networking, Career Building & Job Search” your profile is 14 times more likely to be viewed if you have a profile photo uploaded. This image will be your visual representation across LinkedIn when you are engaging, publishing or viewing. So get a photo, preferably in professional attire, and upload it.

2) Make use of your headline and summary

This space should be used to succinctly state what is it you do! If you are open to new opportunities that aren’t so specific then explain the work that you like to do. This can be a list or it can be a complete sentence that describes your work style.

3) List experience and work history

This section of your profile is what you would find on a conventional resume. It is your job history, the part of your digital profile that shows what and where you have been. It is really important that you list your accomplishments and not necessarily your daily duties.

Make sure when you are updating this that you list your experience in reverse chronological order with your latest and most up-to date role at the top. Use targeted keywords and accomplishments. Use this section to highlight measurable achievements in your roles.

4) List you education history

By listing your education you can prove your academic level, always start with your highest qualification whatever that may be, relevant or not it will show your level of academic thinking. Keep it in reverse chronological order. Within your education listings include keywords that will help you be easier to find in searches. Another key part of listing your education is it helps you expand your network by helping you find people you studied with, if you include the right course, year and institution. Your education history also allows people to understand the story of the professional you are today.

5) Own your creative skills and get endorsements

LinkedIn allows you to list up to 50 skills on your profile, and then those in your network can “endorse” you. According to LinkedIn, people who list at least five skills receive up to 17 times more profile views. There is also evidence that the more you have, the higher you’ll rank in search results, which will result in more profile views and in turn more opportunities.

Having your skills listed and endorsed also shows very clearly that you are proficient at your work.

How best to decide the skills that you list? Well, look at your peers, colleagues or mentors. Take the skills they have listed that apply to you. Look at job descriptions that are similar to your current positions and see which keywords are appearing more frequently than others. It goes without saying… Only list the skills you actually do have!

6) Get recommendations from colleagues, peers and mentors

Always begin by identifying the people you know well and can best speak of your skills and prowess in specific areas, can back up your leadership or management skills or share your best accomplishments.

Recommendations will also give you an insight into how others actually perceive you professionally. They are also another great way of slipping keywords into your profile which again will push you up the ladder on LinkedIn’s search algorithm.

Likewise, if you give recommendations, you’ll not only be engaging with others, but your name will also appear on their profiles!

7) Don’t forget about additional sections

Share honours and awards, specialised certificates, industry related courses, professional memberships, language skills, interests, groups and causes. These additional sections on your profile will help visitors see all of the professional aspects of your life that are not covered by education or work history. Which for a lot of people is just as important.

Okay, so you now have a great looking profile. It includes all the content you need and gives a great impression of who you are, the work you have done and where you want to be. Now you can just sit back and let it run itself? Nope... Now is where the real fun starts. Connecting and engaging!