This week in The Charlotte Ledger: Career Boost, a short series giving you actionable career advice — from optimizing your LinkedIn presence, mastering productivity and organization hacks to leading with confidence at any level. We’ve got practical tips and real-world strategies designed to help you shine in today’s competitive workplace.
◼️ PART 1: Communicate like a leader
◼️ PART 2: Make LinkedIn work for you
◼️ PART 3: Get more done without burning out
How to up your LinkedIn game: simple tips to get noticed (in a good way)
by Amy George
By George Communications
Let’s be honest: When LinkedIn first launched, most of us treated it like a digital résumé that you dusted off only when job hunting. Fast forward to today, and it’s evolved into something much more powerful: your personal brand’s 24/7 billboard.
Whether you’re job searching, building a business or just trying to stay relevant in your industry, having a solid LinkedIn presence matters. I work with clients all the time to help them shape their LinkedIn profiles, and I’ve picked up a few best practices that can help you get the most out of the platform — without feeling like you’re shamelessly self-promoting.
Start with the basics: your profile
Your LinkedIn profile is often someone’s first impression of you, so make it count. Here are some quick upgrades you can make today:
Keep it current: This sounds simple, but you’d be amazed at how many people haven’t updated their job title in years. Make sure your work history, accomplishments and even your photo reflect who you are now.
Tell a story in the ‘About’ section: Instead of listing tired buzzwords (looking at you, “results-driven change maker”), write a short narrative that gives people a snapshot of who you are, what you do and what makes you tick.
Use a great headline: This is the line under your name. Don’t just say “Consultant” — say “Marketing Consultant for Mission-Driven Brands | Fractional CMO | Speaker.” Show off your niche.
Add a banner image: That space behind your headshot? It’s prime real estate. Use a photo of your city’s skyline, your company logo or something personal that reflects your vibe.
Think beyond the résumé
LinkedIn isn’t just for job seekers. It's a place for professional connection, thought leadership (yes, I know it’s a buzzword) and idea-sharing.
Ask yourself: What do you want to be known for? Then start engaging.
Like and comment on posts in your industry. That’s an easy, low-effort way to start.
Re-share content from your company, your alma mater or even your favorite nonprofit.
Post your own updates. Did your team complete a big project? Did you attend a conference? Did you read something that made you think? That’s all fair game for a post.
Not sure when to post? Don’t overthink it. As I like to say: The best time to post is when you’re actually going to do it. Don’t let fear of getting “crickets” stop you. Engagement takes time.
Make it social (not a numbers game)
Some people collect LinkedIn connections like trading cards. But this isn’t about quantity. It’s about quality. If you don’t remember who someone is, you probably don’t need to be connected.
Instead, focus on real relationships:
Reach out to someone you haven’t talked to in a while and invite them for a virtual coffee.
Message a new connection to say hello and ask to learn more about what they do.
If you get a random connection request, look at their profile. If they seem interesting, reach out before hitting “accept.”
And don’t forget the business page
Even if you’re a solopreneur or run a small company, it’s worth having a company LinkedIn page. It gives your business credibility and makes it easier for others to tag or reference you. But once it’s up, focus most of your energy on your personal profile, because people connect with people.
Bottom line
LinkedIn doesn’t have to feel fake or forced. With a little effort and a dash of personality, you can turn it into a valuable tool for connection, visibility and, yes, even fun. And if you’re a company leader, encouraging your employees to have great profiles doesn’t make them more likely to leave — it makes your whole team and entire organization look good.
Amy George is a senior public relations strategist, founder of By George Communications and LinkedIn expert. Find her at linkedin.com/in/amy-baldwin-george.
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🎧 Listen to the podcast interview for more tips on mastering LinkedIn:
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