HOW TO OPTIMISE YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE TO ATTRACT NEW FREELANCE CLIENTS
Your LinkedIn profile is more than just an online CV - it’s your personal billboard to attract potential clients, collaborators, and opportunities. For freelancers, having an optimised LinkedIn profile can make all the difference in standing out in a competitive market - it can strategically showcase your expertise and personality to attract the right opportunities! Here’s a step-by-step guide to make your LinkedIn profile shine:
1. Start with a Professional Profile Picture & cover banner
Your profile picture is the first impression people have of you so make it count. A clear, high-quality photo where you look approachable and professional is essential! Equally important is your LinkedIn banner—it’s a great opportunity to showcase your expertise, company, or even a personal motto.
2. Craft a Compelling Headline
Your headline is one of the most visible parts of your profile - it is one of the first things people see! It should communicate who you are, what you do, and the value you provide. Think about what sets you apart? What problems do you solve? What makes you unique?
For example:
“Graphic Designer | Helping Brands Create Visual Stories That Sell”
“Freelance Writer | Engaging Content for SaaS Companies”
“Social Media Strategist | Growing Audiences for Small Businesses”
3. Write an Engaging About Section
The About section is your opportunity to tell your story. Use it to highlight your expertise, share your values, and explain how you solve problems for your clients - it is where you connect with people on a human level, showing your personality, values, and ambitions. Use the following structure to create a compelling About section:
Start with a hook that grabs attention.
Highlight your key skills and achievements.
Speak directly to your target audience and explain how you can help them.
End with a call to action (e.g., “Let’s connect if you’re looking for [service].”).
4. Showcase Your EXPERIENCE with a Strong SECTION ON YOUR PAST WORK
The Experience section is where you highlight your achievements, results, and the impact you’ve made. Use case studies or projects that showcase results, and add links to your website or portfolio.
5. Highlight Your Skills and Endorsements
Skills and endorsements add credibility to your profile. Make sure your top skills are relevant to your freelance niche. List 3-5 key skills you want to be known for, and ask colleagues or clients to endorse you for specific skills. Don’t forget to keep this section updated as your skill set evolves!
6. Ask for Recommendations
Recommendations are powerful social proof that can significantly boost your credibility. Reach out to past clients or colleagues and ask them to write a short recommendation highlighting your strengths.
And don’t forget to Optimise Your Profile for SEO!
To make your profile discoverable [both on LinkedIn and on Google], include relevant keywords. Think about the terms your ideal clients would use to find someone with your expertise, and add them to your Headline and About section, the Titles of your past roles and projects, and the Descriptions in the Experience section.
You can even use the LinkedIn Profile Builder to get your profile polished. This feature guides you through setting up your profile step-by-step, from adding a professional photo to filling out all the nitty-gritty details.
In 2025, LinkedIn will continue to be a powerful platform for career growth, networking, and personal branding. By optimising your profile you can be ready to start sharing engaging content to attract the right connections, showcase your value, and unlock new opportunities.