My best training runs are typically ones in which I am focused on what I most want to achieve. What I want is to run strong, to train effectively for my upcoming marathon (75 days.)

My best focus comes when I have a great song and rhythm in my head. If I repeat the lyrics of a song in my mind, I breath evenly and run steadily.

You will be most successful on LinkedIn if you maintain focus on what you most hope to achieve.

If you are hoping to develop business opportunities or see a new position through your LinkedIn profile, you need to make sure that your profile is rich with the keywords people would use to search for someone like you.

Here are five steps to follow to bring (and maintain) focus to your LinkedIn profile:

1. Consider these questions. What differentiates you? What unique value do you bring to the marketplace? What do you specialize in? What do you want to be hired to do?
2. Choose a few focus words. As you ask yourself the questions, distill your answers into a few focused key words that correspond to terms you think people might use to search for people like you.
3. Edit your profile. Once you have identified your focus, edit your profile to contain your keywords. If possible, make sure your keywords are included in every section of your profile, including your headline, summary, and experience. Add your keywords as often as you can and in as many places as you can, but do so subtly and in context, not in a forced or obvious way. If possible, request recommendations from satisfied employers or clients and ask them to include your keywords. Including your keywords frequently will increase the chances that the right people will find you — and will ensure that anyone browsing your profile will be able to quickly determine whether you are a fit for their needs.
4. Add new relevant experience regularly. A LinkedIn profile should be a living document. Regularly review your profile to be sure it contains your most up-to-date experience. When you do so, include your keywords as often as you can.
5. Whenever your focus changes, update your profile in include your new keywords. In the event that you change your career focus, be sure to change your keywords to reflect your new focus. Be as thorough as you can! If you change jobs, add your new position and any relevant, keyword rich details to help people understand your differentiating value.

When your LinkedIn profile is focused, you will position yourself to be successful in reaching your goals.

Tell me something! How often do you update your LinkedIn profile? Are the right people finding you through LinkedIn?

Becky Robinson

I am the founder/CEO of the Weaving Influence team, the author of Reach: Creating the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book, or Cause, and the host of the Book Marketing Action Podcast. I’m a wife and mom of three kids, and I enjoy running, reading, writing, coffee, and dark chocolate.