Optimize your LinkedIn profile to become a magnetic thought leader

When I first joined LinkedIn, my profile was a scattered résumé: headshots, bullet points and a couple of blurbs. Then I realized every field—and every video—was an opportunity to be discovered. I rewrote my headline to ‘Social Media Strategist | Marketing Consultant | Brand Storyteller,’ instantly appearing in twice as many searches. Next, I filled in every blank: added my hometown, school, website and my Twitter handle so potential clients could connect multiple ways.

The biggest change came when I embedded a simple demo video in my Summary—just me explaining a Snapchat tip I shared at a conference. That one clip led to 300 new follower requests in 48 hours because it proved expertise at first glance. Soon after, I committed to monthly LinkedIn Articles on fresh social media hacks, each paired with a 30-second video. People began tagging friends and colleagues, and before I knew it, I was being invited to speak around the world.

This wasn’t luck; it was a deliberate switch from “résumé on display” to “discovery engine.” Each keyword, every piece of media and article acts like a beacon, guiding your next opportunity right to your inbox.

Rewrite your headline to include your three highest-impact keywords, and watch your search appearances climb. Fill out every field—location, industry, contact links—so you’re discoverable everywhere. Then drop in a signature video or slide deck to your Summary, turning that section into an instant portfolio. Finally, commit to posting one LinkedIn Article per month and a quick video teaser for it. Do this over the next four weeks, and see your profile leap from static résumé to active thought-leader hub.