Your LinkedIn Profile About Section for Academics

Описание: The most common mistake professors make on LinkedIn is using their academic bio, or not including a bio at all. Once people see your
-profile photo
-name
-headline
they'll decide if they want to view your profile.

When people visit your profile, they'll see your About section. This is where you want to include your bio.

Most people think of their bio as a static piece of writing for your
-conference presentation
-article publication
-event or talk

Bios are more interactive than you might think. I've written bios for professors, scientists, and journalists. Everyone I've worked with has been surprised by this idea. A bio tells people information you share with them about yourself.

What information do you want to share? What do you want people to know most about you?

Start by introducing yourself
I literally say "Hi, I'm Jennifer van Alstyne" at the start of my LinkedIn bio. It's approachable, and helps people feel as though I'm talking to them. It also reminds them of my name (which strangers might forget when browsing a profile).

Pro tip: Introduce yourself by the name you'd like to be called. For instance, if you'd like to be addressed as Dr. X in email, say "Hi, I'm Dr. X." This helps set expectations in advance. This is also a great way to include your nickname on LinkedIn. I don't go by Jen, but if I did I might write "Hi, I'm Jen van Alstyne" instead.

Here are 7 things you may want to include in your LinkedIn About section
-Current role
-Current research
-Years of experience
-Book title(s)
-Expert in subject matter
-Key competencies/skills
-If you're open to speaking engagements
-If you're open to consultation
-How to connect with you

Your LinkedIn bio doesn't stand alone. There are a lot of sections to support many facets of who you are and the work you do in your LinkedIn profile. Because of that, you don't want to overwhelm people here by including everything you've done.

Many of you aren't looking for jobs, and because of that aren't sure what to write. I want you to think back to the people you want to connect with. That if they came across your profile and sent you a request, you'd consider connecting with. Your bio should be written for them.

LinkedIn's guide to editing your About section   / 92157  

LinkedIn Profile for Academics and Researchers, by section
Headline, Profile Photo, Cover Photo    • Your LinkedIn Profile Headline, Profile Ph...  
About    • Your LinkedIn Profile About Section for Ac...  
Featured    • Your LinkedIn Profile Featured Media Secti...  
Experience    • Your LinkedIn Profile Experience Section f...  
Experience example    • LinkedIn Profile Example Experience Sectio...  
Education section    • Your LinkedIn Profile Education Section fo...  
Licenses and certifications    • Your LinkedIn Profile Licenses and Certifi...  
Skills and endorsements    • Your LinkedIn Profile Skills and Endorseme...  
Recommendations    • Your LinkedIn Profile Recommendations Sect...  
Publications, Awards and Languages    • Your LinkedIn Profile Publications, Awards...  

This video was recorded in 2021 and is now on YouTube to be accessible to more academics around the world. I hope you find it helpful.

This is The Social Academic, a podcast about online presence for faculty, researchers, and graduate students. I’m Jennifer van Alstyne (@HigherEdPR). I help academics like you feel confident when you show up online. You have agency in creating a stronger online presence for yourself. Let's build a strong digital footprint through your academic website, social media, and bio writing.
https://theacademicdesigner.com

The Social Academic blog https://TheSocialAcademic.com/blog/

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