LinkedIn has long maintained that certain areas of profiles should be used in the intended way..
You know – names where names belong and stuff like that.
I was taking a look through some of the members that LinkedIn thinks I might know and thought I’d report on what I’m seeing…
50% with profile pictures
This is the first interesting result – I looked at 100 people that LinkedIn suggested I might know, and exactly half of them had a picture next to their name and headline.
So, if you include a picture you’re in with half of the crowd. If you don’t, you’re also in with half of the crowd!-)
names in all lower case
Two entries appeared in all lower case.
I’m not a fan, and I have to believe it is intentional.
And perhaps this is an interesting comment on my own outlook, I sign emails with “steve” in lower case – intentionally, and for effect.
But in something like LinkedIn, it doesn’t appear proper;-)
NAMES IN ALL UPPER CASE
Only one user has his keyboard caps lock stuck.
I’m also not a fan, and contrary to my joke above think it too is intentional.
Perhaps it comes from being a old-timer on the network, but I don’t know where all-caps is considered friendly.
One email address
No email addresses appeared in the name area, and only one appeared in a headline.
I know LinkedIn has gotten more aggressive about threatening/warning users that obviously include their email address where their name goes, and this to me is a good thing.
Take care with your profile – it sends a message
So here’s another reinforcement. Some aspects of a profile… not so significant, like the personal choice to display a photo. Other aspects send a message. As long as you’ve thought about the message you are sending, you’ll make a good choice.
Carelessly crafting your profile – that too is a message…-)
To your continued success,
steve
—
Steven Tylock
http://www.linkedinpersonaltrainer.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevetylock