LinkedIn has been slowly rolling out a new format for its user profiles. My account has just been updated and I’ve discovered one of the best new features – it’s now easy to add video! You can also add other examples of your work such as images, documents or presentations.
Rich Media Replaces LinkedIn Applications
This new feature replaces LinkedIn applications, such as the Reading List by Amazon, Blog Link and the LinkedIn Answer Expertise box. These applications still exist in your account, they’re just not visible on your profile anymore. You have to go to LinkedIn Answers to see your activity in this app. For 3rd party applications, you’ll need to click the “More” tab in the LinkedIn menu, then “Skills & Expertise.” Once that page displays, hover your mouse over the “More” tab again, and a dropdown menu appears that lists “Your Applications.” When I chose my Amazon Reading List app, I was now able to view other people’s reading lists, as well as my own, so that’s pretty cool. Editor’s note: As of Dec. 26, 2012, 3rd party applications are no longer visible. Not sure if this is a temporary glitch or permanent.
Some applications, like SlideShare, get automatically migrated to your profile’s Summary section. On my profile, it posted every slide I have on SlideShare. If you use this app, you may want to delete many presentations, like I wound up doing, and just keep the most relevant ones to promote your products/services.
Video, Presentations Enhance Profile, Generate Leads
Adding rich media like videos and presentations opens up a whole new realm of possibilities to enhance your profile to generate leads for your business. For instance, you can add YouTube videos to your summary or experience section. You can add a relevant blog article or SlideShare presentation. LinkedIn has also enhanced how this content is displayed. When someone clicks on your video, a new window opens up called “Your Professional Gallery” which displays your content full screen:
Use New Projects Feature to Promote Skills, Offers
Another new feature that has the potential to be a major lead generator for you is Projects. You can list current and past projects here and include a link to view the details. This area provides an opportunity to showcase a free report you’re giving away, or YouTube channel. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.
Groups and Following
Other changes to your LinkedIn profile involve groups. Only seven of the groups you belong to get displayed with their logos, but there is a “see more” button that lets you or a visitor to your profile see the rest. A new section called “Following” displays any categories you’re following in LinkedIn Today as well as the companies you follow on LinkedIn.
The new profile format also graphically displays your profile strength, and your network. You can see at a glance how many of your connections are with the same company, school, or industry, and where they are located.
What do you think of the new LinkedIn Profile? I think this is a game-changer. Forget Facebook. 2013 is going to be the year of LinkedIn for me! If you’d like to explore the possibilities of this new format for your business, I encourage you to contact me today and request a free 30-minute VIP discovery session. It’s time to create more Money, Clients and Visibility for you and your business.
Thanks Gloria, some great tips here – I particularly like the media we can add now too- this will really set a well setup page from a bog-standard one.
Thanks for the help Gloria, but I could not use the instructions in your article to access the ‘ReadingList by Amazon’ app. This was one of the most useful apps on LinkedIn, but unfortunately, it seems to have been disabled altogether! I have also contacted LinkedIn Customer Service in this regard, but yet to hear from them.
Thanks for letting me know. I just updated the article. It’s a shame if LinkedIn decided to do away with this app altogether.
Gloria