LinkedIn profile translation – why it's important for your online reputation

If you’re a savvy businessperson then your LinkedIn profile is probably already up to date and packed with information that your connections find interesting. You’re sharing updates regularly and posting original content that generates plenty of discussion. Such an active approach does much to make the most of LinkedIn. It’s good for your online reputation and also a great SEO tool – after all, Google ranks LinkedIn results pretty highly. 

Despite all this, if you’re only using LinkedIn in one language, you are missing a trick. LinkedIn had 590 million users as at December 2018, with a geographical spread of 200 countries. There’s a whole world of potential connections out there that could benefit you and your company, so why miss out on them?

How to translate your LinkedIn profile

LinkedIn profile translation is quick and easy. LinkedIn offers the ability to present your profile in multiple languages – you simply click ‘Add profile in another language’ from the right rail when you’re viewing your profile. You then have the option to build a second profile in another language. 

Note that LinkedIn doesn’t translate your profile for you – if you want a French profile but don’t speak French well enough to write it professionally yourself, then you’ll need the help of a French translation service to get the job done. The same applies for any other language that LinkedIn supports. At the time of writing, you can select 22 supported languages in which to create your secondary profile, and a further 21 unsupported languages. 

Once you’ve selected the language you want to use, it’s simply a case of entering your details in that language, just as you did when you set up your original profile. 

The benefits of translating your LinkedIn profile

There are plenty of reasons to translate your LinkedIn profile. If you’re thinking of expanding your company overseas, or using overseas suppliers, then it’s important to present yourself professionally in the relevant local language(s). People do business with people they know, like and trust, so making yourself available online in this way is an excellent way to build up your reputation and help new contacts to find out about you. Many people turn to LinkedIn as their first port of call when looking up a new business contact, and internal searches that pop up your professionally written profile in the right language is a great start to a business relationship. 

As mentioned above, your LinkedIn profile is also important for SEO purposes. Just as you no doubt thought carefully about relevant keywords when creating your original profile, you can do the same in the language that you use for your secondary profile. A translation agency can help with keyword research in that language if required.  

Top tips for presenting your LinkedIn profile in a secondary language

One of the most important points to remember about translating your LinkedIn profile is that the secondary language version needs to be impeccable, just as your original language profile is. That means no spelling mistakes or grammar errors and the inclusion of all relevant details. If you don’t write your second language as well as your native tongue, don’t shy away from using professional translation services to support you when producing it. A LinkedIn profile translation doesn’t cost a great deal, so there’s no excuse for anything other than 100% accuracy in your secondary language listing. 

It’s also worth keeping in mind the purpose of your secondary language profile. If you are looking to build business relationships overseas for a particular purpose, be sure that the information in your profile supports that purpose – it doesn’t have to be a direct translation, so you have the scope to focus it more closely to local needs. 

Finally, think about your profile picture. A profile with a photo gets 21 times more profile views than one without and is 36 times more likely to receive a message. However, you need to ensure that your photo is appropriate to the intended audience. Different countries have different standards when it comes to business attire. Uncovered hair, excessive jewellery or bare shoulders all have the potential to turn would-be connections away in certain countries, so think carefully about local customs before publishing your secondary language profile. 

Final thoughts

LinkedIn can be a powerful tool when used right. Do you plan to use it to your advantage by translating your profile into another language?