Would you walk into a shop with the windows covered and the door locked? Neither would I. Yet that’s what my LinkedIn profile looked like.

Would you walk into a shop with the windows covered and the door locked? Neither would I. Yet that’s what my LinkedIn profile looked like.

I’ve been on LinkedIn for many years, mostly while working in corporate roles. A few months ago, I started posting and commenting more. Profile visits went up, followers increased, but frustratingly engagement levels stayed low.

Then I met @Bogomil Stoev at a Founders Network event. He helped me see what I couldn’t: my LinkedIn profile was, to all intents and purposes, closed for business.

I had no banner image. The content was all about me, not the challenges I help solve through @AllumTek Business Advisors, which I founded just over 18 months ago. It looked like a shop with covered windows and a locked door.

With Bogomil’s guidance, I’ve now overhauled my LinkedIn profile and am waiting to have it marked! At least now the windows are clean, the door is unlocked, and @AllumTek Business Advisors is ready to welcome people in.

I have since discovered too many LinkedIn profiles are like that. They don’t reflect the real value their owners provide or intend, which is such a shame.

Updating your LinkedIn profile is only step one. LinkedIn rewards content that sparks conversations. To get noticed, you need to share high-value insights people will want to comment on and maybe even debate in the comments.

I am now optimistic these simple changes will start to improve awareness of my business and the advisory services we offer. There is clearly more work to be done, but hopefully, my profile experience helps you avoid the same mistake.

So, what about you – is your LinkedIn profile open for business?