Posted By Ashley Tate on March 24, 2025
Facebook is for keeping up with your aunt’s vacation photos, Instagram is for keeping up with the Kardashians, and LinkedIn? That’s for keeping up with your career.
As the go-to platform for professional connections, LinkedIn is a powerful tool for demonstrating your industry expertise. But how do you create — and maintain — a profile that establishes your (or members of your executive team’s) authority and thought leadership? These seven steps will build your credibility on LinkedIn.
1. A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words
Your profile picture and cover photo are the first things people see. Do they say, “I’m a professional with valuable insights,” or “I took this selfie at a party five years ago”? Clear, high-quality, professional photos convey the message that you mean business, but they don’t have to be boring. You can take inspiration from your hobbies, favorite places, place of employment, and beyond while remaining professional. For example, if you work in a creative industry, a background that reflects your craft — such as a design studio or an art-filled workspace — can make your profile stand out.
Pro Tip: A LinkedIn-worthy picture is well-lit, high-resolution, and shows you looking confident and approachable.
2. Your Headline Is Your Hook
Your LinkedIn headline is one of the most visible parts of your profile. Instead of just listing your job title, use this prime space to showcase your expertise, vision, and what sets you apart. As a thought leader, your headline shouldn’t only reflect your role, but also the value you bring to your industry. Make it work harder for you by adding some personality and showing off your expertise. For example, instead of “CEO,” you could say “CEO | Expert in Automated Manufacturing | Making Industry 4.0 a Reality.” This gives people a much clearer idea of your capabilities and impact.
3. Craft a Captivating Summary
Think of your LinkedIn summary as your elevator pitch: Start with a brief introduction about who you are, then highlight your key achievements, qualifications, and what you’re passionate about. Most importantly, make it personal. Tell a story and share why you do what you do and what gets you out of bed in the morning (besides caffeine).
People want to follow people, so make sure your summary showcases your human side. Beyond qualifications, highlight your mission, values, and the impact you’re looking to make. If you’re in a super techy field, show your expertise and passion by nerding out over cutting-edge innovations and complex problem-solving; if you’re in a more traditional industry and executive leadership role, keep it professional but engaging and bring your company’s value proposition to the forefront.
4. Make It More Than a Repeat of Your Resume
When it comes to your professional experience, you want to make people go, “Wow, I need to learn more about what this person — and their company — can do for my business.” Job titles and dates don’t tell future customers or partners the value you brought to past roles, so focus on what you accomplished and the skills you gained. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate success (e.g., "Led customer to 150% revenue growth in one year"). This gives your profile more impact and shows what you can actually deliver. Highlighting major projects and milestones in an innovative way can also establish you as a forward-thinker. For example, if you’ve spoken at an industry event, sharing a clip of your talk along with key insights can reinforce your expertise and position yourself as a leader in your field.
5. Stay Active, Stay Visible
Just like joining a gym, setting up your LinkedIn profile is only the first step — the real results come from consistently engaging to build a strong presence, supporting your thought leadership status. Share unique perspectives, comment on posts, and interact with people in your network. This activity positions you as someone who’s in the know and is a great way to engage your employees, peers, customers, and prospects. LinkedIn’s algorithm rewards engagement, so staying active increases your chances of showing up in people’s feeds.
6. Add Skills and Get Endorsements
Endorsements from your colleagues and clients add credibility and make your profile look more complete. Skills are also a key part of establishing your expertise on your LinkedIn profile, so list the ones that reflect your expertise. Aim to prioritize the top five to 10 that align with what you deliver in your role. Then reach out to colleagues or clients and ask them to endorse you.
Bonus: Endorse those who endorse you (it’s like networking karma).
7. Get Rave Reviews (AKA Recommendations)
Think of all of the restaurant reviews you read before dining — the same idea applies to LinkedIn recommendations. A strongly worded one from a colleague or client can show others the impact you have in your industry. When you ask for recs, be specific about the qualities or skills you'd like the person to highlight, and always offer to return the favor. A good review can be the difference between standing out and blending in.
The Missing Link(edIn)
In the world of LinkedIn, first impressions matter. But the lasting ones come from how you continually show up on the platform. A polished profile is a good start, but consistently sharing your insights and regularly proving your expertise through action will build your true authority as a trusted thought leader. Don’t just be a face in the feed — keep your network engaged and your followers will recognize you’re making your mark.
Tier One is focused on leveraging social media and strategic communications to amplify our clients' brands and drive engagement.
