Expand your authority and leverage with linkedIn and BU Connects
Whether you’re an aspiring business owner, entrepreneur, or corporate executive, LinkedIn is the ultimate platform for generating broader visibility for your brand. But do you know how to truly harness its power? Adding BU Connects to your toolkit to work hand-in-hand with LinkedIn is the most powerful way to showcase your skills and build your network within our global BU community. Angela Pitter (ENG’86, MET’93), Founder & CEO of LiveWire Collaborative, spoke with BU about how alumni and students can best utilize these platforms to work (and network) smarter, not harder.
Keep reading for our summary of insights or watch the full presentation!
Top 5 insights to stop the scroll
Feature an inviting profile photo
Whether it’s on LinkedIn or BU Connects, accounts with quality profile pictures receive the most attention. Use a recent, well-composed photo and fill the frame with your face. No full-body shots! You want people to be able to see you, recognize you, and remember you.
Craft a compelling headline
Don’t just list your current title in your LinkedIn or BU Connects headlines. Create a branded headline that includes your specialties, professional metrics, and relevant keywords. For students, consider adding leadership roles in clubs and organizations, a past internship, or your major.
Give your profile a voice—literally
A new feature on LinkedIn allows you to record the pronunciation of your name, but the opportunity goes far greater. You have 10 seconds to record a message, so use it to show off your personality, your top credentials, or anything that inspires potential contacts to reach out.
Showcase your portfolio
Use the Featured section on LinkedIn to pin a post, add your newsletter, link to a YouTube video, or an article about you. It’s not limited to content on LinkedIn—add any content that’s on the web.
Leverage your alumni network
Using search filters in the BU Connects Directory, network with alumni in your geographical region, industry, major, class year, and more. You can send any Terrier on the platform a direct message, and “Request help” templates provide brief professional message samples to help get the conversation started. With LinkedIn, try the Alumni Search feature to narrow results to the BU alumni community.