The Only LinkedIn Checklist You Will Ever Need

Wondering how to kickstart or boost your LinkedIn profile?

It's your lucky day!

In this article, you'll find the only LinkedIn checklist you'll need to make your profile stand out and connect with others professionally.

From updating your photo to posting engaging content and interacting with your connections, we've covered the essentials to help you shine on LinkedIn.

Let's get started!

I LinkedIn Profile Checklist

On our journey to perfecting your LinkedIn profile, think of the LinkedIn Profile Checklist as your ultimate starting point.

Here, we've broken down the key ingredients needed to make your profile stand out, ensuring that each part works together to boost your online professional image.

1. Refresh Your Profile Basics 📌

The first and most crucial step in enhancing your LinkedIn profile involves refreshing the basics.

This means ensuring your profile photo, headline, summary, skills, and other information accurately represent your goals and who you are professionally today.

This initial update is key to making a strong and accurate first impression on LinkedIn.

1.1 Update Your Profile Picture

Changing your profile picture is a crucial aspect of your presence on LinkedIn.

Having a recent and professional photo not only improves the look of your profile but also adds to its trustworthiness.

This minor but important update can greatly influence how your network and prospective employers see you.

LinkedIn Profile Photo Guidelines

📌Must reflect your likeness—illustrations or artistic renderings are acceptable.

📌Non-compliant photos (e.g., company logos, emojis) may be removed per LinkedIn's User Agreement and Professional Community Policies.

Technical Requirements

👉 Ideal size: 400 x 400 pixels.

👉 Maximum file size: 8MB.

👉 Avoid low-resolution images: Choose a clear, high-quality photo.

1.2 Refresh Your Cover Image

Updating your LinkedIn cover image is a smart way to enhance your profile's visual appeal and express your professional brand.

This background photo is an excellent chance to share more about your professional persona, passions, or accomplishments, making your profile even more compelling.

LinkedIn Cover Image Guidelines

👉 High Resolution: Opt for high-quality images to prevent pixelation.

👉 Optimal Size: Recommended dimensions are 1584 x 396 pixels for a LinkedIn cover photo.

👉 Device Compatibility: Ensure your image displays well on both desktop and mobile devices.

1.3 Craft an Engaging Headline

Creating a captivating headline on LinkedIn is crucial for grabbing attention and quickly communicating your professional identity.

It serves as an enticing hook that encourages people to dive deeper into your profile to discover more about your professional background and skills.

LinkedIn Headline Guidelines

👉 Headline Formula: Use "Title | Company – Helping (Target Audience) Through USP" for an effective LinkedIn headline.

👉 Headline Example: Digital Marketing Strategist | XYZ Agency – Empowering Small Businesses with Cutting-Edge SEO Strategies

👉 Character Limit: LinkedIn now allows up to 220 characters in your headline, increased from 120.

1.4 Revise Your Summary for Impact

Updating your summary to make it impactful means crafting a powerful and memorable opening for your LinkedIn profile.

This section should concisely tell your professional story, spotlighting your abilities, accomplishments, and the distinct value you offer.

LinkedIn Summary Guidelines

👉 Summary Content: In 3-5 sentences, include years of experience, expertise area, types of organizations you worked with, skills, and professional reputation.

👉 Avoid Buzzwords: Skip overused terms like "motivated," "results-driven," and "team player."

👉 Use Specifics: Opt for concrete examples and achievements to showcase qualities.

1.5 Customize Your LinkedIn URL

Personalizing your LinkedIn URL boosts the professional look of your online presence and simplifies access to your profile.

A customized URL is neater, more memorable, and easier to share, making it ideal for business cards or in email signatures.

LinkedIn URL Guidelines

👉 Standard Format: All LinkedIn URLs begin with "https://www.linkedin.com/in/," followed by your chosen name and a unique identifier.

👉 URL Length: Must be 3-100 characters, excluding spaces, symbols, special characters, or the word "LinkedIn."

👉 Content: Use a variation of your name or a professional brand.

2. Showcase Your Best Accomplishments in the Featured Section 📌

The Featured Section on LinkedIn is like your personal spotlight, allowing you to display the highlights of your professional achievements.

This is the place to shine a light on your most meaningful work, such as standout projects, insightful articles, or major accomplishments you're especially proud of.

LinkedIn Feature Section Guidelines

👉 Accessing Feature: Click the "Me" icon > "View Profile" > "Add profile section" in your introduction.

👉 Adding Featured Content: Select "Recommended" dropdown > "Add Featured."

👉 What to Feature: Include top LinkedIn posts you've created or re-shared.

3. Renew Your Experience Details 📌

Refreshing the Experience Details on your LinkedIn profile involves more than just listing job titles and duties.

It's about telling the tale of your career journey, focusing on the influence of your contributions, major accomplishments, and the skills you've honed along the way.

LinkedIn Experience Section Guidelines

👉 Navigating to Experience Section: Click the "Me" icon > "View Profile," then scroll to "Experience" and click the Edit icon.

👉 About Work Experience: Use this section to detail your professional background, list titles, companies, employment dates, and key accomplishments.

4. Polish Your Skills Inventory 📌

Fine-tuning your Skills Inventory on LinkedIn means carefully selecting skills that truly represent your professional talents and areas of expertise.

By keeping this section up-to-date, you ensure it highlights your present capabilities and the fields in which you excel.

It's important to emphasize the skills most pertinent to your career aspirations and the opportunities you aim to pursue.

LinkedIn Skills Section Guidelines

👉 Adding Skills: Click the "Me" icon > "View Profile" > "Add profile section" in your introduction > Choose "Core" > "Add skills" from the dropdown.

👉 Skill Placement: Position the skills section either below education or at the top of your resume.

👉 Skill Selection: Limit to six skills, choosing those that make you stand out per the job description, as advised by career strategists.

II LinkedIn Content Checklist

The LinkedIn Content Checklist is your go-to resource for creating content that makes an impact and connects with your audience.

It offers crucial strategies to make sure your posts are engaging and in line with your LinkedIn optimization objectives, aiding in boosting your professional presence and influence on the platform.

1. Develop a Robust Content Plan 📌

Creating a detailed content plan is crucial for thriving on LinkedIn.

It means pinpointing the main themes and topics that match your professional expertise and cater to what your audience finds interesting.

A well-thought-out plan guarantees that your content is deliberate and meaningful and provides a definite path for your LinkedIn activities.

LinkedIn Content Plan Guidelines

👉 Diverse Content Types: Incorporate a variety, including blog posts, articles, infographics, and videos.

👉 Consistent Posting: Regularly update and rotate the types of content shared.

👉 Content Strategy Steps:

• Theme Planning—Determine overarching themes for your content.
• Idea Generation—Brainstorm ideas for campaigns and individual posts.
• Scheduling—Set a timeline for when to post.
• Content Mix Decision—Choose the right blend of content types.

💡 PRO TIP

Leverage AuthoredUp to streamline your content creation process.

Use the Saved Posts feature to gather, organize, and analyze posts you've saved on LinkedIn for inspiration.

When inspiration strikes, quickly start a Draft to capture your ideas on the go.

This way, you can easily switch between drafts, refine your thoughts, and prepare your posts for the perfect publishing moment.

Keep it simple, and let your content strategy benefit from organized inspiration and seamless execution.

2. Set Clear Objectives and Track Metrics 📌

Setting clear goals for your LinkedIn content and monitoring the right metrics are key steps in evaluating your success and fine-tuning your approach as needed.

Whether you aim to grow your network, enhance engagement, or establish yourself as a thought leader, having specific objectives and reviewing performance data are essential actions.

LinkedIn Key Metrics

👉 Engagement: Check likes, comments, and shares to gauge audience interaction.

👉 Impressions: Keep tabs on how often your content shows up, click or no click.

👉 Followers: Watch your follower numbers grow on your LinkedIn page or profile.

👉 Clicks & CTR: Look at content clicks and the impression-to-click ratio.

👉 Demographics: Get to know your audience's industry, company size, and job role.

👉 Traffic: Examine how much and where your page traffic comes from.

👉 Visitors: Count the number of people checking out your page or profile.

👉 Video Views: Track the views on your video content.

👉 Top Job Functions: Spot common job titles among your audience to better tailor your content.

💡 PRO TIP

Use AuthoredUp to become proficient in your LinkedIn strategy. Dive into our Analytics to see how your profile and posts are performing over time. You can:

• Check your profile's performance for specific periods to gauge the success of your campaigns.
• Compare posts directly to see what's hitting the mark and what's not, fine-tuning your strategy with solid data.
• Watch your profile's growth timeline to spot milestones and guide your content and networking tactics.

What sets Authoredup apart?

It gathers all your LinkedIn posts and their performance stats, giving you a historical view to predict your future moves. 

3. Tailor Content Specifically for Your Audience 📌

To craft content that truly connects with your specific audience, it’s vital to grasp their interests, challenges, and professional requirements.

By customizing your content to meet these elements, you can greatly boost engagement and ensure that your posts are highly relevant.

Writing For LinkedIn Audience Guidelines

👉 Research: Find out what appeals to your audience.

👉 Identify Your Audience: Specify the group you want to reach.

👉 Explore Needs and Challenges: Get into your audience's needs and obstacles.

👉 Analyze Competitors: Look at what others in your space are doing and where they're lacking.

👉 Understand What Motivates: Figure out what pushes your audience toward decisions, considering emotional and logical factors.

💡 PRO TIP

You can also utilize AuthoredUp to truly connect with your LinkedIn audience.

Use the Reaction Timeline to see how different post types click with your followers and the emotions they trigger, guiding you to create more of what resonates.

Don't forget about the Reuse feature—easily find your top-performing posts for inspiration and rework them into new content that's sure to hit the mark again.

Lastly, the Correlation Plot is your best friend for understanding the dynamics of your content's impact.

It shows how various factors, such as views, likes, comments, and shares, relate to each other, helping you craft posts that not only engage but also perform well.

Use these insights to tailor your content precisely to your audience's preferences.

4. Vary Your Content Formats for Greater Appeal 📌

Mixing up the types of content you share, from articles and videos to infographics and polls, can really elevate its appeal.

By embracing a variety of formats, you'll be able to reach a broader audience and cater to diverse tastes, making your LinkedIn profile more dynamic and captivating.

LinkedIn Content Format Ideas

👉 Publish Articles: Use LinkedIn to post articles, boosting your visibility and interaction.

👉 Deep Dives: Craft detailed content that thoroughly explores topics your audience cares about.

👉 Conduct Polls: Use polls to engage your followers and gain valuable insights.

👉 Webinar Highlights: Share key moments from webinars to spark interest and deliver value.

👉 Share Original Research: Stand out by presenting new research and data pertinent to your field.

👉 Segment Long Content: Split up longer posts into a series for better engagement and easier reading.

💡 PRO TIP

Dive into AuthoredUp's Post Type Analysis to discover which types of posts (like articles, images, or videos) get the most traction on your profile.

This insight lets you tailor your content strategy to focus on what works best, ensuring your future posts have the greatest impact.

5. Adhere to a Regular Publishing Schedule 📌

Maintaining a regular posting schedule is crucial for content success.

By consistently publishing content, you not only build anticipation and engagement within your audience but also demonstrate your dedication to delivering value to your network regularly.

LinkedIn Daily Publishing Guidelines

👉 Monday: Catch the early-week buzz by posting in the morning (8-11 am) or late afternoon (4-6 pm).

👉 Tuesday: As the week picks up, aim for mid-morning (9 am-12 pm) or early afternoon (2-4 pm).

👉 Wednesday: Hit peak midweek interaction times late morning (10 am-12 pm) and mid-to-late afternoon (3-6 pm).

👉 Thursday: Mirror Monday's strategy with the morning (8-11 am) and late afternoon (4-6 pm) slots.

👉 Friday: Before the weekend eases in, go for late morning (10 am-12 pm) and early afternoon (2-5 pm).

👉 Saturday: Catch users in a relaxed mode late morning (9-11 am) or evening (7-9 pm).

👉 Sunday: Early morning (7-9 am) and evening (6-8 pm) are prime for weekend engagement.

💡 PRO TIP

Streamline your posting routine with Authoredup's Calendar View.

It visually tracks all your scheduled LinkedIn posts, making it simple to adjust or remove them as plans change.

Plus, the Scheduling option isn't just for standard posts—you can also time the release of varied content types like PDFs for carousels and interactive polls.

Keep it easy: Schedule ahead with Authoredup to keep your content flow consistent and stress-free.

6. Cultivate Your Personal Brand Through Content 📌

Your content serves as a mirror to your professional persona and personal brand, offering a platform to showcase your:

• unique perspectives,
• experiences, and
• the special value you contribute to your field.

By nurturing your personal brand via your content, you can unlock new possibilities and bolster your professional standing.

LinkedIn Personal Branding Guidelines

👉 Boost Your Profile: Adjust your LinkedIn profile to make it more noticeable and searchable.

👉 Build Real Connections: Interact with your network genuinely to create significant relationships and conversations.

👉 Consistently Post Great Content: Establish yourself as a go-to source in your field by sharing informative and relevant posts regularly.

III LinkedIn Engagement Checklist

The LinkedIn Engagement Checklist is an essential tool for anyone aiming to maximize their impact on this professional platform.

It provides practical steps for boosting interaction and visibility, making sure your LinkedIn activities lead to significant connections and engagement.

1. Send Personalized Connection Invites 📌

Sending customized invitations to connect on LinkedIn can greatly improve your chances of acceptance.

To leave a lasting impression, make each message unique to the person you're reaching out to, highlighting specific reasons for wanting to connect.

LinkedIn Personalized Connection Invite Guidelines

👉 Know Your Audience: Skim the recipient's profile before reaching out to find shared interests or notable points.

👉 Make It Personal: Start with their name in the greeting and reference something specific from their profile to show you're truly interested.

👉 Share Your Intent: Be clear about why you're connecting, whether it’s common interests, mutual friends, or something they posted that caught your eye.

👉 Be Concise and Polite: Keep your message short and sweet, but ensure it stays polite and professional.

👉 Encourage a Response: Finish with a gentle nudge for interaction, like hoping to share ideas or offering expertise in a particular area.

2. Encourage Interaction with Your Posts 📌

Increase engagement by wrapping up your LinkedIn posts with questions or calls to action that encourage comments and shares.

Not only does this approach boost your visibility, but it also promotes interactive conversations with your network.

LinkedIn Interaction Guidelines

👉 Call to Action: Motivate your audience to engage by inviting them to share their thoughts and experiences or answer questions about your post.

👉 Tag Others: Include relevant people or businesses in your post to boost visibility and prompt more interactions.

👉 Engage in Comments: Keep the conversation going by quickly responding to comments, thanking people for their contributions, and building community vibes.

👉 Time It Right: Post when your audience is most active to get the most views and responses.

3. Leverage the Power of Recommendations 📌

Exchanging recommendations on LinkedIn boosts your credibility and highlights your professional accomplishments.

This reciprocal action enriches your profile and solidifies your connections and relationships on the platform.

LinkedIn Recommendation Guidelines

👉 Help Out First: Begin by giving your colleagues meaningful recommendations, often leading to them returning the favor and enhancing your profile with endorsements.

👉 Ask Wisely: Only ask for recommendations from people who truly know your skills or achievements, explaining why their endorsement matters.

👉 Provide a Blueprint: To make sure recommendations showcase your best qualities, offer a short guide or highlights for them to mention.

👉 Show Appreciation: Always thank those who recommend you. A simple thank you maintains your professional connections.

4. Connect with Industry Leaders and Peers 📌

Growing your network by linking up with thought leaders and colleagues in your field can open the door to precious insights and chances.

Interacting with their content helps you increase your visibility and forge meaningful relationships.

Connecting with LinkedIn Industry Leaders Guidelines

👉 Find Leaders: Look for top figures and colleagues in your area who inspire you and share useful insights.

👉 Interact with Posts: Start by liking, commenting on, and sharing their content. It makes you noticeable without being pushy.

👉 Customize Your Invite: When connecting, mention something specific they posted that you liked or express admiration for their work to make your invitation memorable.

👉 Provide Worth: After connecting, share things they'd find interesting, like articles or events, before asking for anything.

5. Actively Participate in Community Discussions 📌

Participating in and contributing to discussions or posts by others in your area of expertise can raise your profile as an engaged and informed industry player.

Sharing your knowledge and interacting with peers helps you create a network of support and collaboration.

Participating in LinkedIn Community Discussion Guidelines

👉 Check In: Keep an eye on groups and your feed for interesting talks. Be active to find opportunities to join in.

👉 Add Value: When you jump into discussions, share useful thoughts and experiences. Make sure your responses fit the conversation.

👉 Start Talks: Feel free to start discussions with questions or news. It shows you're engaged, and it brings more interactions.

Wrapping Up

We really hope this LinkedIn checklist helps you grow big and strong on this bustling platform.

It might seem like a lot to take in at first, but remember, every bit of effort counts in the long run.

Start with smart yet effective steps, no matter how long it might take.

And hey, I've got a little secret for you – making those efforts can be a whole lot easier if you think ahead.

What am I talking about?

Well, using tools like AuthoredUp on LinkedIn can be a game changer. Incorporating them into your strategy could help you:

🌸 Easily find inspiration and save ideas for later posts.

🌸 Enhance the quality of what you share.

🌸 Adjust your content's readability for better engagement.

🌸 Make sure your posts hit the mark with your audience.

🌸 Keep an eye on whether your LinkedIn efforts are paying off from different perspectives.

🌸 And, ultimately, spend less time worrying about your LinkedIn content strategy.

Wondering where to start? Here's the scoop:

1. Decide to make your LinkedIn time more productive.
2. Sign up for AuthoredUp's 14-day free trial.
3. Create your account and link it to your LinkedIn.
4. Start playing around and see what you can do.
5. Oh, and no credit card is needed for this journey.

Ready to boost your LinkedIn game?

Sign up with AuthoredUp and take your presence to new heights, starting now!