Setting Up Your LinkedIn for Freelance Visibility

LinkedIn is more than a job board for full-time roles. For freelancers, it can be a powerful tool to attract leads, build credibility, and stay visible to people who might need your skills, even if they’re not actively hiring.

This guide will help you set up your LinkedIn profile to reflect your freelance work, show up in searches, and start drawing the right kind of attention.

1. Update Your Headline to Reflect Your Freelance Role

Your headline is one of the most visible parts of your profile. It shows up in comments, search results, and connection requests.

Avoid vague phrases like “freelancer” or “open to opportunities.” Instead, be specific:

• “Freelance Graphic Designer for Nonprofits”

• “SEO Copywriter Helping Startups Grow Organically”

• “Freelance Developer Specializing in Shopify Builds”

Use keywords your ideal clients might search for.

2. Add Your Freelance Role as a Current Position

Add your freelance role under the “Experience” section. Use your own name, business name, or Freelance Insider as the company if you’ve added it as a LinkedIn Page.

In the description, explain:

• What services you offer

• Who you work with

• Types of projects you take on

• Optional: relevant tools, achievements, or links

Tip: Keep your location current to show up in local searches, even if you work remotely.

3. Use the “Providing Services” Feature

LinkedIn has a built-in feature to promote freelance services. You’ll find it near your profile header.

Set it up to show what you offer and that you’re open to work. It increases your visibility in LinkedIn’s freelancer search and makes it easy for clients to reach out.

Walkthrough: LinkedIn’s official guide to the Services page

4. Add Freelance Work to Your Featured Section

Use the Featured section to highlight portfolio links, client testimonials, or case studies. You can link to:

• A Notion or personal website

• Individual LinkedIn posts

• Articles, videos, or PDFs

This section gives your work more visual presence on your profile and lets prospects see what you’ve done without scrolling far.

5. Post Occasionally, Even If It’s Simple

You don’t have to post every day. Even one post every two weeks keeps your name visible. Share:

• A recent client project (if allowed)

• A lesson learned from freelancing

• A screenshot of positive feedback

• A quick tip for people hiring freelancers

Keep the tone conversational and helpful. Let people know you’re available without selling hard.

6. Connect With Purpose

You don’t need thousands of connections. Focus on:

• People in your industry or target niche

• Past colleagues or clients

• Local business owners

• People who engage with similar content

When connecting, add a short note. It increases the chance they’ll accept and remember you later.

Sample note: “Hey [Name], I saw we both work with small businesses and thought it’d be great to connect.”

Final Thoughts

LinkedIn works best when your profile is clear, your presence is consistent, and your message speaks to the people you want to work with. You don’t need to be an influencer. You just need to make it easy for the right people to find you.

Take it one section at a time. You’re not just updating a profile, you’re building a simple system that can bring you steady opportunities over time.