Is Your LinkedIn Profile Ready for the Attention You’re Earning?
What happens when someone checks out your LinkedIn profile after seeing your post, your comment, or your ad?
That’s the moment most people overlook. We spend so much energy trying to get attention – but then we don’t have the pieces in place to make the most of it. Your profile ends up being a dead end instead of a next step.
This is where “Prepared” comes in – one half of a philosophy I lean on when thinking about marketing that actually works. “Persuasive” is about getting noticed. “Prepared” is about being ready when you do.
If you’re putting effort into earning attention on LinkedIn, this article is here to help make that effort count.
Cover Image: Your Digital Billboard
The cover image is easy to overlook. It’s a big chunk of real estate, but a lot of people either leave it blank or toss in something that doesn’t say much.
That space can work for you. It can set the tone for who you are and deliver a simple message to the kind of people you want to connect with.
You don’t need a designer. A clean background, a branded image, or a photo of you in action all work. Just make it intentional.
Try this: Add a short one-liner directly on the image that speaks to your ideal audience.
- “Taking the stress out of payroll for growing teams”
- “Helping small business owners navigate tax season with confidence”
- “Trusted HR support for companies without an HR department”
It’s a quick way to show what you do and who you do it for – before someone even reads your headline.
Profile Photo: People Buy from People
It’s easy to treat the profile photo like a checkbox. But this one image does a lot of heavy lifting. In a space full of noise, a clear, confident photo helps someone feel like they’re dealing with a real, trustworthy human.
You don’t need to overthink it. But you do want it to feel intentional.
A good photo is clear, well-lit, recent, and framed with your face as the focus. Approachable, not stiff.
If you’re a business leader, you are the face of the brand – even if it’s not your personal brand. People want to know who they’re dealing with.
It’s not about being photogenic. It’s about being present.
Headline: Say What Matters
Your headline follows you everywhere on LinkedIn – comments, messages, search results. It’s often the first line people read, and it tells them if you’re worth a click.
Your job title alone isn’t enough. “Founder” or “Principal” might be true, but it doesn’t help your best-fit audience see how you’re useful to them.
Aim for something clear that gives a sense of what you actually do:
- “Helping business owners stay out of tax trouble”
- “Payroll doesn’t have to be painful”
- “HR for teams who’ve outgrown DIY”
You’ve got 220 characters. Lead with clarity. Layer in a little voice. Focus on what your audience needs to know in that one second they hover over your name.
About Section: Start With What They Might Be Feeling
This is where someone decides if you’re for them – or not. So instead of starting with your résumé, start with a little empathy.
What are your ideal clients frustrated by? Worried about? Stuck on?
That’s your opening.
“If you’re tired of stressing over tax season every single year – I get it. It’s confusing, it’s high-stakes, and it never hits your calendar at a good time.”
Or:
“Hiring your first team members is exciting – and overwhelming. I work with small business owners in that exact moment to help them build smart, simple HR systems that grow with them.”
This kind of writing pulls people in because it starts with them – their reality, not your credentials.
Then you can move into what you do, who you do it for, what you believe in, and how to get in touch.
Think of this section less like a pitch and more like a bridge – between what someone’s dealing with and what you might be able to help with.
Featured Section: Turn Curiosity Into a Next Step
If someone’s clicked on your profile, you’ve already done the hard part – you’ve earned their attention. Now what?
The Featured section is where you give them somewhere to go. It’s not just for showing off posts – it’s a chance to guide interest toward action.
A few things you might feature:
- A pricing page (if you’re comfortable being transparent)
- A lead magnet – like a checklist or cheat sheet
- An article that shows how you think
- A case study or testimonial
- A link to schedule a call
- A short video introduction
This isn’t about cramming everything in. Pick one or two things that give the visitor a clear path forward.
You’re not just showing what you’ve done – you’re making it easier for someone to take the next step. That’s what being Prepared looks like.
Pick One. Make It Better This Week.
If you’re putting effort into showing up on LinkedIn, don’t let that attention hit a dead end.
Your profile doesn’t need to be perfect. But it does need to be ready.
These five areas are where interest either fades or turns into momentum. Small shifts, but they make a difference when someone’s deciding whether to reach out or move on.
Prepared doesn’t mean overpolished. It means you’re clear, confident, and easy to connect with – when it matters most.