Your LinkedIn name is the first thing people see about you on the site, whether they look at their search results or your profile. Because of this, it’s essential to take extra care with it.
5 Tips to Increase Profile Views
Sadly, many LinkedIn members do four things that immediately tarnish their LinkedIn images:
#1: Last Initial Only — The Worst
Would you rather click through to a profile that says Donna Svei or Donna S.? Uh-huh, I thought so. LinkedIn members want to see your last name. Not sharing it has many downsides and limited upside.
#2: ALL CAPS — Bad
Some LinkedIn members present their names in capital letters. No one wants to read JANE DOE. It’s the LinkedIn equivalent of shouting at people.
#3: all lower case — Bad
Some LinkedIn members present their names in lower case letters. No one wants to read jane doe. It’s the LinkedIn equivalent of whispering.
#4: Alphabet Soup Credentials — Bad
Then there are the members who follow their names with the acronyms for every credential they’ve ever earned. That confuses the reader.
Pick the one or two credentials most relevant to your current career goal and feature those.
Like this: Jane Doe, JD, MBA.
Don’t go crazy with credentials. It makes you look as though you’re trying too hard.
A New Best Practice
#5: Record How to Pronounce Your Name
In 2020, LinkedIn started rolling out a new “Record & Display Your Name Pronunciation on Your Profile” feature. If your name is the least bit difficult, or if you have a great voice, be sure to implement this ASAP.
If it’s not intuitive to you, here’s a great guide.
Get Your LinkedIn Name Right
As you can see, this is pretty simple stuff, and you will benefit from paying attention to it. If you don’t present your name professionally, many LinkedIn users will check out on you immediately.
Let’s Connect on LinkedIn
Please don’t hesitate to invite me to connect on LinkedIn here: Donna Svei, Executive Resume Writer. The more I know about my readers, the better I can make my blog.
Image: Rostivlav Sevlacek
Updated January 2022
© 2013 – 2022, Donna Svei. All rights reserved.
Donna Svei, an executive resume writer and former C-level executive, retained search consultant, and CPA, authors all of AvidCareerist’s posts.
She is a Fast Company Contributor and has written for and been quoted by 100+ business and general media outlets, including Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur, CNBC, the New York Times, USA Today, Time, US News & World Report, CBS, the BBC, Lifehacker, Social Media Today, IT World, and Business News Daily.
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