On LinkedIn, a platform with over 1 billion users, making your profile memorable requires more than listing your job title and responsibilities. To transform your LinkedIn presence from ordinary to extraordinary, you need to highlight your differentiators in your headline and About sections.
What Are Personal Differentiators and How to Identify Them
Personal differentiators are the unique qualities, skills, and attributes that set you apart from others in your field, making you memorable and valuable to your audience. They can be tangible, such as specific skills or experiences, or intangible, like your approach to problem-solving or leadership style.
To identify your differentiators, consider your methods, point of view, quirky traits, or even hobbies that others associate with you. You can also consider your competitors and list what you have in common. As you list those commonalities, some differentiators will emerge. If after these exercises you’re coming up dry, try some research: ask five colleagues and five clients/customers to list three to five things they think set you apart from others in your field.
Why Personal Differentiators Matter
Knowing your differentiators will help you communicate your professional story in a way that resonates with potential employers, clients, and collaborators. When effectively highlighted, these differentiators will:
- Attract the Right Opportunities: By showcasing your unique qualities, you attract opportunities that align with your strengths and passions.
- Build Trust and Credibility: Differentiators that reflect your expertise and unique approach can build trust and establish you as a credible authority in your field.
- Enhance Engagement: A distinctive profile piques interest and encourages engagement, making it more likely for others to connect with you.
Crafting Your LinkedIn Headline and About Section
Your LinkedIn headline and About section are prime real estate for showcasing your personal differentiators. Here’s how to make them stand out:
The LinkedIn Headline
LinkedIn will automatically populate your headline with your job title, but using only that as your headline will not help you stand out. You have 220 characters with which to customize your headline. One formula for a powerful headline includes:
- Job Title and Area of Expertise: Start with your current job title and area of practice. If you work for a well-known company or firm, include its name.
- Unique Value Proposition: Add a statement about who you serve, what you do, and how you add value. This should reflect your differentiators.
Example: “Intellectual Property Attorney: Focusing on complex patent, trademark, trade secret, and technology disputes in the packaging industry | Championing Innovation and Protecting Ideas”
The About Section
Your About section should tell your professional story in a compelling manner. Structure it around your differentiators and what you want to be known for to ensure authenticity and engagement. LinkedIn allows 2,600 characters (including spaces), about five paragraphs.
Conclusion
Highlighting your differentiators on LinkedIn is a powerful strategy to elevate your professional brand. By clearly communicating what makes you unique, you can transform your LinkedIn profile from ordinary to extraordinary, attracting opportunities and building a reputation that sets you apart in your field.
Remember, your brand is an ongoing journey. Continuously refine your LinkedIn profile to reflect your evolving skills, experiences, and achievements. This will ensure that you always stand out in the best possible way.
Are You Ready to Transform Your Online Presence?
Imagine a LinkedIn profile that actively champions your strengths, achievements, differentiators, and professional ethos, positioning you as a leader in your field. Now is the time to embrace executive LinkedIn profile optimization, refine your brand, articulate your value, and lead with distinction.
Schedule your complimentary Executive Discovery Call today to start your journey toward a powerful LinkedIn strategy that attracts your ideal opportunities.
With over a decade of experience, I have guided numerous C-level and senior executives in leveraging LinkedIn for personal and professional growth. Recognized as a top executive coach and branding expert, I offer the insights and expertise necessary to craft an outstanding digital presence. My #1 Best-Selling book, “LinkedIn for the Savvy Executive,” has received numerous awards and accolades.
Reach out today to book a call and transform your LinkedIn profile into a powerful tool for career advancement and professional growth.
