As a social marketing coach, I’m often approached for my advice about topics that may seem a little controversial.  I love tackling these topics, not because I flock to controversial topics – it’s because it’s so important for online marketers to benefit from these questions and take these LinkedIn marketing scenarios to heart.
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For example, I recently had an online marketer email me to ask if it was appropriate to “play up” his employment history.  As a newbie to the online marketing world, his employment history looked a little sparse with regards to his profession – and he was worried that it would turn off potential connections as a result.
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Here’s what I told him:

• “Fluffing” your employment history is one thing – falsifying information in order to make connections is an entirely different matter altogether.  I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again:  if you make up employment just to establish a connection with a well-known peer or to avoid having a sparse LinkedIn profile, I guarantee you’ll get caught.
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• But that doesn’t mean you can’t fill your profile with tons of great information that wouldn’t necessarily go on a traditional resume.  I asked the newbie online marketer if he had attended any webinars, seminars or courses regarding his industry – fortunately, he had.  I told him to list these items in his employment history, as it demonstrates to professionals that while he didn’t have a “traditional” history in his industry, he was still a knowledgeable expert.

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Remember, LinkedIn for business entrepreneurs isn’t a resume site – rather, it’s a social media platform that allows you to leverage your expertise into real and tangible connections in your industry.  Don’t let a sparse traditional employment history in your industry prevent you from taking advantage of the power of LinkedIn marketing!
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Is this an area of your Linkedin profile that you might be struggling with?  Leave your questions, comments and suggestions below…. I will be happy to help and others that know Linkedin pretty well, I urge you to share your advice and tips too.

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