40-point profile audit checklist
- Use a recent, well-lit headshot with eye contact and neutral background.
- Add a custom banner that signals your niche, offer, or expertise.
- Set your headline to outcome + audience + credibility, not just job title.
- Turn on Creator Mode only if you plan to publish consistently.
- Customize your LinkedIn URL.
- Ensure location matches where you want to work.
- Use a pronounceable public name; avoid emoji in the name field.
- Write an About section with hook, proof, and clear CTA.
- Open the About section with a client, business, or mission outcome.
- Weave target keywords naturally into About and Experience.
- Add measurable results in every recent role.
- Update role descriptions to reflect current responsibilities.
- Use media in Featured: portfolio, case study, lead magnet, press mention.
- Pin top-performing work in Featured.
- List your top 15–25 relevant skills.
- Reorder skills to match your target role.
- Request 3 recent recommendations tied to results.
- Give recommendations first to increase reciprocity.
- Add certifications with recognized issuers.
- Complete education fields and notable programs.
- Turn on Open to Work / Services if strategic.
- Add a concise services page if freelancing or consulting.
- Follow 20 target companies.
- Follow 20 creators or operators in your niche.
- Comment on posts with insight, not generic praise.
- Publish at least one original post per week.
- Reply to all meaningful comments on your content.
- Use a consistent content theme people can associate with you.
- Keep your Activity section active and relevant.
- Send personalized connection requests.
- Connect weekly with peers, decision-makers, alumni, and recruiters.
- Audit your top 10 search keywords monthly.
- Avoid buzzword-heavy copy that says little.
- Make your first three lines compelling on mobile.
- Use short paragraphs and white space.
- Add impact metrics to job entries.
- Check grammar, punctuation, and title consistency.
- Ensure external links still work.
- Review profile from recruiter and client perspective.
- Refresh the profile every 90 days.
Headline formula guide
| Template Type | Formula | When to Use It |
|---|
| Role-focused | [Job Title] helping [team/company type] achieve [outcome] with [specialty]. | Best for traditional hiring searches. |
| Value-focused | I help [audience] achieve [result] through [skill / method]. | Best for consultants and operators with strong outcomes. |
| Niche expert | [Specialty] | [specific audience] | [proof point or tool stack]. | Best when you own a clear niche or category. |
| Job seeker | Open to [role types] | Background in [industry / strengths] | Focused on [value]. | Best during transitions or active search periods. |
| Creator | Sharing insights on [topic] for [audience] | [credibility cue]. | Best for audience-building and inbound opportunities. |
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The HOOK-STORY-CTA framework
| Part | Purpose | Prompt Questions |
|---|
| HOOK | Earn attention in the first 2–3 lines. | What problem do you solve? What is the strongest result or belief you bring? |
| STORY | Explain background, strengths, and evidence. | What have you built, improved, led, or learned? What patterns connect your experience? |
| CTA | Tell the right people what to do next. | Who should contact you and for what opportunity, conversation, or collaboration? |
Fill-in-the-blank about template
I help [audience / company type] achieve [result] through [skill, system, or specialty]. Over the past [X years], I have worked across [industries / functions] to improve [metric, process, or outcome]. My strengths include [strength 1], [strength 2], and [strength 3]. Recent wins include [proof point 1], [proof point 2], and [proof point 3]. If you are focused on [relevant initiative], I am always open to connecting with [who] about [opportunity type].
Six example opening lines
- Most teams do not have a strategy problem — they have an execution problem.
- I build systems that make growth easier to repeat and easier to measure.
- My best work starts where ambiguity, pressure, and cross-functional coordination meet.
- After spending [X] years in [industry], I learned that results come from operational clarity.
- I help companies move from scattered effort to focused, measurable momentum.
- My career has been a pattern of turning messy processes into scalable ones.
Keyword types to include
- industry terms from target jobs
- core tools / platforms
- stakeholder types you support
- outcomes you improve
- certifications or credentials
- market or domain specialty
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10 headline templates by niche
| Industry / Niche | Fill-in-the-Blank Headline |
|---|
| Software Engineer | Backend Engineer | Building reliable APIs and internal tools with [stack] for [industry] teams |
| Product Manager | Product Manager turning customer insight into shipped roadmap wins for [market] |
| Marketing | Growth Marketer helping [brand type] increase pipeline through content, SEO, and lifecycle campaigns |
| Sales | Account Executive | Turning outbound conversations into revenue with consultative selling |
| Operations | Operations Manager improving delivery, efficiency, and KPI visibility across [function] |
| Finance | FP&A Analyst translating numbers into forecasting clarity and smarter decisions |
| Healthcare | Healthcare Operations Leader improving patient experience, compliance, and team performance |
| HR / People | People Operations Partner building hiring, onboarding, and manager enablement systems |
| Freelancer | [Specialty] Consultant helping [audience] achieve [result] without adding internal headcount |
| Creator / Educator | Sharing practical insights on [topic] for [audience] | [proof point] |
10 connection request message templates
| Scenario | Template |
|---|
| Cold outreach | Hi [Name] — I’ve been following your work on [topic] and appreciated your perspective on [specific point]. I work in [space] and would love to connect. |
| Recruiter | Hi [Name], I’m exploring [role type] opportunities in [industry/location]. My background includes [relevant strengths]. Happy to connect if helpful. |
| Alumni | Hi [Name] — fellow [school/program] alum here. I noticed your path into [field] and would love to connect and follow your work. |
| Event speaker | Hi [Name], I saw your talk on [topic] and took away [specific insight]. I’d love to connect and keep learning from your posts. |
| Podcast pitch | Hi [Name], I host/create content for [audience]. Your perspective on [topic] would be valuable — open to connecting and exploring a possible feature? |
| Hiring manager | Hi [Name], I’m impressed by what your team is building in [area]. My background in [strength] may align with your goals. Would love to connect. |
| Peer networking | Hi [Name], we both work in [field] and seem to care about [topic]. I’m always glad to connect with thoughtful peers in the space. |
| Client prospect | Hi [Name], I help [audience] solve [problem]. Your work at [company] caught my eye. Would love to connect and share ideas if useful. |
| Community builder | Hi [Name], I enjoyed your post on [topic]. I’m active in [community/industry] too — would be great to stay connected. |
| Follow-up after meeting | Great meeting you at [event / call], [Name]. I enjoyed our conversation about [topic]. Let’s stay in touch here. |
wingmanprotocol.com | Free tools + printables
30-day LinkedIn growth plan
| Day Theme | Action | Execution Standard |
|---|
| Monday | Publish one insight-driven post | Teach, challenge, or summarize a lesson learned this week. |
| Tuesday | Comment thoughtfully on 5 posts | Add examples, data, or a point of view — not “great post.” |
| Wednesday | Send 5 new connection requests | Target peers, decision-makers, alumni, recruiters, or creators. |
| Thursday | Engage creator content for visibility | Leave one strong comment and one follow-up reply. |
| Friday | Respond to DMs and nurture conversations | Move promising conversations toward a call, referral, or follow-up. |
| Saturday | Batch 2–3 content drafts | Reuse notes, wins, and conversations from the week. |
| Sunday | Review metrics and refine profile keywords | Double down on topics and formats that drive replies or profile views. |
Weekly metrics tracker
| Week | Profile Views | Search Appearances | New Connections | Inbound Messages | Content Impressions | Comments Left | Notes |
|---|
| Week 1 | | | | | | | |
| Week 2 | | | | | | | |
| Week 3 | | | | | | | |
| Week 4 | | | | | | | |
Growth rule: consistency beats virality. Four weeks of useful comments, clear positioning, and steady outreach create more opportunity than one high-performing post.
wingmanprotocol.com | Free tools + printables