If you have logged into LinkedIn recently, you may have noticed new sections have been added to individual profiles. To see the new sections, click the "Add Section" link above your profile summary when in "Edit Profile" mode. While not all the new sections are applicable to advisors, there are four that can be added to help showcase your qualifications, expertise and skills:
- Certifications. Prior to the upgrades, there was no clear place to include designations or licenses, such as CFP(R), CFA, AIF(R), CPA or securities licenses. Most advisors used the Education, Summary, or Honors and Awards sections to highlight this information. There is now a designated area to include information such as certification name, certification authority, license number, date acquired and expiration date.
- Publications. Users now have a section to highlight articles or books they have authored. This section provides space for the title of the article or book, the name of the publication or publisher, the publication date and a brief summary. In addition, a field is available to include a URL to the article or book.
- Languages. You can now list all languages spoken and the level of proficiency in those languages. Multilingual advisors can take advantage of this section to clearly promote the various languages spoken in the office.
- Skills. The Skills section provides users the ability to list their specific areas of expertise. LinkedIn provides a list of standard skills, such as Financial Planning, Financial Advisory and Investment Advisory, but also allows you to write in custom ones. Optional fields are also included to indicate proficiency level and years of experience for each skill.
These additional sections are just the latest way LinkedIn is helping you in your marketing efforts. Be sure to incorporate these new sections into your profile to communicate your expertise to clients, prospects and center of influences.
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