LinkedIn Profile Optimization for Gina Vanderham

LinkedIn Profile Review: Gina Vanderham

Introduction:

Hi Gina,

Thank you for taking the time to submit your LinkedIn profile to me for my review. Below you will find an honest step-by-step guide of creating your dream profile that will not only bring networking success for Elite Executives, but could potentially establish connections that could last a lifetime.

When I first viewed your profile I noticed there was no profile picture. Now I don’t mean just upload anything and move on. A crucial element when creating your LinkedIn profile will be how you present yourself. Customers and future connections want to know they’re trusting in and buying from a reliable source, which are people.

Do This:

Professional headshots are your best friend for this one. Make sure the image is clean and your face can be clearly seen. Neutral expressions with soft smiles are great.

Stylized headshots are great if you want to show more personality, just make sure your face is clearly seen and the design isn’t over the top and doesn’t steal the spotlight from the main character: YOU!

What you wear is also a key factor. Business casual is best in neutral, solid colors. Avoid any distracting patterns or bright colors.

Banner

Next up is your banner. Yes, it makes life easier to change your brand’s logo format to fit the horizontal frame, upload it to LinkedIn and call it a day. But this is a chance to sell your services while showing some creativity in a brief way.

Ideas

You can still use your logo in your banner, but you can add your contact information, as well as any selling point for your brand. For example:

-A simple phrase: “Unlock your Hidden Potential with Therapeutic Techniques”

-Briefly promoting the free course, “Discover EMDR” or best selling courses

-A short statement about EMDR therapy, career coaching, mindfulness training, etc.

*Tip: Consider adding a visually appealing element such as icons (i.e. a stylized image of an executive conveying confidence, a lightbulb representing insight) Sometimes though, you don’t always need to add little elements. It was just a suggestion, but sometimes less is more.

Here is a draft of what your banner should embody. Feel free to customize it to your own taste.

Headline

Your headline is the most important part of your profile. It’s the go-getter that will be showcased everywhere when viewing your profile. Remember to highlight what you do and who it’s for. Ideal customer persona plays a huge role in this. You don’t want to attract the wrong people or go viral and not get any potential customers to take action.

You have a rich background of being a therapist from Workplace Solutions, including your own personal experience. Below is a headline template that should be simple to make:

Personal Descriptive Title | Describe what you do for whom | Personality, Values, Location

And here is an example of what yours can look like:

Psychotherapist, Counselor & Workplace Consultant | I help individuals recover from addictions of all kinds, including symptoms of trauma. | Empowering growth, one conversation at a time | Canada

Bio

Your bio is more of an in-depth version of your headline. It’s the best place to slate your pitch, find your ICP and show them what you do and what you can do for them. Do not be afraid and hold anything back that might help you in this section. You can tell a personal story about your experience so people will know the background and how everything came to be. Greatest achievements, awards, core skills, with a splash of personality will be valuable as well.

Bio Example

For over 30 years as a psychotherapist and counselor, I have helped countless individuals recover from challenges, heal from trauma, and achieve meaningful growth.

In my early twenties, I suffered with addiction and my life was out of control. Thankfully with the help of my family, a residential treatment center, my own personal therapy, the 12 Step program and the grace of God, I stopped drinking and using drugs and entered therapy to heal the root causes of my addiction.

Today, my own personal journey has helped me be able to emotionally connect with my clients who suffer with similar trauma. I have worked in the field of addictions counselling for over 20 years in detox centres, residential treatment centres, addiction outpatient clinics, and drinking driver programs in addition to one-to-one therapy in private practice. Successful outcomes have been improved communication skills, better anger management, greater assertiveness and boundaries, enhanced self-worth and generally being at greater peace and feeling happier.

Now I’m using this same passion and expertise for my new branch, Elite Executives, to bring deep therapeutic techniques like EMDR built especially for executives. We will combine these techniques with practical coaching strategies, mindfulness training, and emotional intelligence development.

Additional Thoughts

Connections

-It’s great that you already have some connections on LinkedIn. I noticed you have a lot of positive testimonials from clients. You should include two or three of these on your profile for proof of evidence. When people see that others had a good experience for their money, this will entice them to try your services too.

Content and Activity

-Make sure that you’re highly active on LinkedIn and consistent with posting. You want to promote your brand as much as possible, and not just your brand but your professional mindset as well.

Additional Sections (Job History, Awards, Certifications, Languages)

-Feel free to add any credentials that will butter up your profile.

Gina,

I believe you’ll be headed in the right direction if you take the time to thoroughly go through this guide and implement it in each section of your profile. Don’t forget to highlight the key point of Elite Executives and your other businesses. Don’’t be afraid to share any wins or relevant experiences because this is what LinkedIn is for.

I wish you the best of luck!

Sincerely,

Glynis Abbott