The Flywheelr Team recently watched the blockbuster hit Top Gun starring Tom Cruise. Got inspired & wanted to apply the Top Gun Effect to build a Personal Brand on LinkedIn.
Here are our top tips to harness the Top Gun Effect and become the ace of your professional network. Keep reading for actionable steps, ensuring your LinkedIn Personal Branding turns from Mundane to Maverick.
1. Be the Maverick: Stand Out with Your Unique Voice
No time to be shy here buddy! Stop blending in with the crowd—let us see your views & opinions! Unique experiences, perspectives, and insights provide a window to show your personality. It could be discussing industry trends or sharing personal achievements, always let your authentic self-shine through.
54% of C-level executives spend an hour on average per week reading Thought-Leadership content. Consistent Personal LinkedIn Branding efforts will help you stand out to these top executives. And we all know, in a professional circle, “Who knows Who” will always trump Business Decisions.
2. Visuals that Wow: Create an Eye-Catching Profile
First impressions matter! Your Profile Picture and Banner are the top things people notice. Choose a professional yet approachable photo. For your LinkedIn Cover Image, pick something representing your brand— think of it as your personal CTA.
3. Mission Brief: Craft a Killer Headline
Your headline is your mission statement. It should be catchy, clear, and compelling. Instead of just your job title, try- Marketing Maverick | Expert in Digital Strategy | Driving Growth through Innovation. This grabs attention and sets you apart from the get-go.
Focus on creating a deadly Visual Combination of
Profile Picture + Cover Image + Headline= Killer First Impression
Like the example we have here of Chris Do, the Founder & CEO of The Futur
4. Engage Like Goose: Build Meaningful Connections
In Top Gun, Maverick couldn’t fly solo—he needed Goose. On LinkedIn, building meaningful connections is key.
Be active on your profile to build Personal Brand on LinkedIn-
1. Comment on 10 posts from other top creators & connections' updates.
2. Add comments to your posts in the form of listicles, follow-up questions, & mini-posts.
3. Start a conversation while replying to comments.
4. Sharing insights that trigger engagement.
Check out the LinkedIn News section on the Default Feed Page to pick trending stories. LinkedIn rewards highly active Members, it's a two-way street. Be supportive & interactive.
5. Top Gun Training: Share Your Knowledge
Position yourself as an industry leader by sharing valuable Thought Leadership Content. Write articles, post updates, and share relevant news. Teach others what you know. Start a Carousel Series, weekly or bi-weekly Newsletters, keeps your audience engaged & coming back for more.
6. Go Full Throttle: Be Consistent with your LinkedIn Posting Strategy
Rome wasn't built in a day, nor will your Personal Branding project! So be consistent- have a posting schedule, update your LinkedIn profile, post every alternate day, and engage with your network.
Also, don't forget to optimize your Profile for both Google & LinkedIn Search. Find your focus Keywords, and include them in your LinkedIn Headline, About Section, Post Captions & LinkedIn Articles.
LinkedIn recommends posting 4x a week. In return, you gain the visibility & credibility of an active profile. Members can now expect content & engagement from your end every week.
7. Stay on the Radar: Monitor & Adjust while Marketing on LinkedIn
LinkedIn Insights are detailed, & you can benefit from this. Keep track of what works and what doesn’t. Use LinkedIn Analytics to monitor your profile views and post engagements.
When any of your posts perform better, start creating content around the topic more, niche down, and find new angles to look at the Pain- Points. Use tools like Canva to break down Articles & Text posts into Simple Carousel or Static Images.
8. Show Off Flight Hours: Highlight Achievements to Build Personal Brand on LinkedIn
A little self-promotion never hurts! Learn from Paris Hilton & show off your accomplishments. List certifications, awards, and key projects. Use bullet points for easy readability and numbers to show favorable outcomes.
Here is an example, “Increased social media engagement by 50% within 6 Months” sounds more impressive than just “Handled Social Media.”
Your search for "How to Build a Personal Brand on LinkedIn" comes to an end. The Top Gun Effect can amplify your LinkedIn presence.
The show should truly never stop! Use your unique voice, engage with your network, share valuable content, and be consistent. In the world of LinkedIn, you’re the pilot of your success. Aim high and fly higher!
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