How to Use the LinkedIn Featured Section to Showcase Your Best Work

Your LinkedIn profile is more than just a resume; it's your digital storefront. When a potential client, employer, or collaborator lands on your page, you have a few precious seconds to make an impact. So, how do you grab their attention and show them what you’re really made of? The answer lies in a powerful, yet often underutilized, feature: the LinkedIn Featured section.

What Exactly is the LinkedIn Featured Section?

Think of the Featured section as your personal highlight reel. It sits prominently near the top of your profile, just below your "About" summary. This is your chance to curate a collection of your best work, your proudest moments, and your most valuable content. It’s a visual and interactive way to give visitors a taste of your skills and expertise without making them dig for it. Unlike a static resume, the Featured section lets you bring your accomplishments to life.

Why Should You Bother with the Featured Section?

In a sea of LinkedIn profiles, the Featured section is your lifeboat. It helps you stand out and tell a more compelling story. Here’s why it’s so important:

• It Showcases Your Expertise: You can directly display articles you've written, projects you've completed, or presentations you've given. This is your "show, don't tell" moment.
• It Drives Traffic: You can link to your personal website, your company's blog, or a landing page for a product or service. This turns your LinkedIn profile into a lead generation tool.
• It Highlights Key Achievements: Did you receive an award? Were you featured in a news article? The Featured section is the perfect place to spotlight these accomplishments.
• It Adds a Personal Touch: By sharing content that you're passionate about, you give people a better sense of who you are beyond your job title.

What Kind of Content Should You Feature?

The possibilities are almost endless, but you want to be strategic. The goal is to showcase content that aligns with your professional brand and your career goals. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Your Best LinkedIn Posts: Have a post that got a ton of engagement? Feature it! This shows that you can create content that resonates with your audience.
• Articles You've Written: Whether they're on LinkedIn or an external site, articles are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge.
• Your Portfolio or Website: If you're a creative professional, a link to your portfolio is a must. If you have a personal website, feature that too.
• Case Studies or Project Summaries: Show the results you've achieved for clients or in past roles. This provides tangible proof of your abilities.
• Media Appearances: If you've been on a podcast, in a webinar, or quoted in an article, share it here.
• Company or Product Pages: If you're a founder or work in marketing, you can drive traffic directly to your company's offerings.

How Do You Add Content to Your Featured Section?

Adding content is simple. Just follow these steps:

1. Go to your LinkedIn profile.
2. Click the "Add profile section" button.
3. Select "Recommended" and then "Add featured."
4. From here, you can choose to feature posts, articles, links, or media.
5. Select the content you want to add, and it will appear in your Featured section.

You can also reorder your featured content by clicking the pencil icon in the top right corner of the Featured section. This allows you to put your most important content front and center.

Best Practices for a Standout Featured Section

Now that you know the basics, here are a few tips to take your Featured section to the next level:

• Use Custom Thumbnails: When you add a link, LinkedIn will automatically pull in an image. But you can, and should, upload your own custom thumbnail. A visually appealing image is much more likely to get clicked.
• Write Compelling Titles and Descriptions: Don't just use the default text. Write a title and description that are clear, concise, and enticing. Tell people why they should click.
• Keep it Fresh: Your Featured section shouldn't be a time capsule. Regularly update it with your latest and greatest work. This shows that you're active and consistently producing valuable content.
• Think About Your Audience: What do you want people to know about you? What content will be most valuable to them? Tailor your Featured section to your target audience.

Your LinkedIn profile is a dynamic, living document. The Featured section is a key part of that. By using it strategically, you can create a powerful first impression and open the door to new opportunities.

Not sure where your profile stands? Try the free EXEED LinkedIn Profile Evaluator at exeeddigitals.com/tools/profile-evaluator. Get a detailed analysis with actionable recommendations to boost your LinkedIn presence in under a minute.