How to Add Services to LinkedIn Profile

Your LinkedIn profile is one of the most powerful client-attraction tools you have, but only if you use it correctly. Tucked away in your profile settings is a feature designed specifically for freelancers, consultants, and small business owners to showcase their offerings and attract leads directly. This guide details exactly how to add and optimize the Services feature on your LinkedIn profile, turning passive viewers into potential clients.

Why the LinkedIn Services Page is a Must-Use Feature

Before we get into the "how," let's quickly cover the "why." Adding services to your LinkedIn profile isn't just about listing what you do, it’s about plugging your profile directly into LinkedIn’s service marketplace. Here’s what it accomplishes:

• Increased Visibility: When you activate the Services Page, you become discoverable through LinkedIn's own search filters. Potential clients searching for "content strategy" or "web design" are more likely to find you. Your profile essentially gets a new level of searchability beyond just job titles and skills.
• Clear Intent: It instantly signals to anyone visiting your profile that you are open for business. This simple act removes ambiguity and positions you as a professional provider, not just a passive employee or job seeker.
• Social Proof and Credibility: The Services feature allows you to solicit and display reviews from past clients. A profile with positive, detailed reviews is significantly more trustworthy and compelling than one without. It’s a built-in portfolio and testimonial page.
• Streamlined Inquiries: It adds a clear call-to-action on your profile, letting potential clients message you directly about your services. This removes friction and makes it easier for interested parties to take the next step.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Services to Your LinkedIn Profile

Ready to set up your own Services Page? The process is straightforward and only takes a few minutes. Follow these steps to get a basic version up and running.

Step 1: Navigating to the Services Section

First, go to your own LinkedIn profile page. Look for the button box directly below your name and headline. You will see an “Open to” button. Click this.

From the dropdown menu, select "Providing services." This will open the setup window where you’ll build your Services Page.

Note: If you don't see this option, you may need to check your profile settings to ensure you are listed as a "Creator" or have otherwise indicated you are an independent professional. For most users, this option is readily available.

Step 2: Filling Out the Setup Details

A pop-up window titled “Add services” will appear. This is where you will define what you offer. Let's break down each field:

Provide up to 10 services

This is the most important part of the setup. Click on "+ Add a service" to begin. LinkedIn provides a categorized list of services. You can either browse through categories like "Marketing," "Design," or "Writing," or you can start typing a service you offer (e.g., "social media management") and LinkedIn will suggest recognized service categories.

• Choose services that accurately reflect your core offerings.
• Your first three selected services will be the most prominent on your profile, so list your most important ones first.
• You can add up to 10 services in total. Use these slots to cover your primary and secondary areas of expertise.

About

This is your pitch. You have 500 characters to describe your services, who you help, and what makes you different. Don’t just list what you do, explain the value you provide. Focus on the results and benefits your clients can expect.

For example, instead of writing "I do graphic design," try something like: "I help growing brands stand out with unforgettable visual identities, logos, and web graphics that capture attention and drive conversions. Let's create a brand your customers will love."

Location

Select where you work. If you serve clients globally or work from home, check the box for "Remote". If you serve a specific geographic area, you can also add a location. This helps you appear in local service searches.

Availability

Toggle the option that says "Allow LinkedIn members you're not connected with to message you for free.” You absolutely want to turn this ON. This removes a major barrier and allows potential clients who discover you through search to contact you without having to send a connection request first.

Step 3: Publish Your Page

Once you’ve filled out all the fields, click the “Publish” button at the bottom. That's it! A new section will now appear on your profile dedicated to the services you offer. Visitors can now see what you do at a glance, read your description, and message you directly.

Optimizing Your Services Section for Maximum Impact

Getting your Services Page live is just the first step. To truly turn it into a client-generating machine, you need to optimize it. Here are the most effective strategies to make your services stand out.

1. Pick Your Services Keywords Carefully

Think like your ideal client. What terms are they typing into the LinkedIn search bar?

• Be Specific: Instead of a broad term like "Consulting," choose "Business Strategy Consulting" or "Marketing Consulting." Specificity attracts higher-quality leads.
• Use All 10 Slots (If relevant): Don't leave spots empty if you offer related services. A "Web Developer" might also list "Website Optimization" or "E-commerce Development." This increases the number of keywords your profile can rank for.
• Align with Your Headline: Make sure the services you list are consistent with your LinkedIn headline for a cohesive personal brand. If your headline says you're an "SEO Specialist," one of your top services should be "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)."

2. Write a Client-Centric "About" Section

Your 500-character About section is prime real estate. Treat it like a mini-landing page. Use a simple framework:

1. Identify your target client: "I help SaaS founders..." or "For authors and thought leaders..."
2. State their problem: "...struggling to build an audience on social media."
3. Present your solution/value: "...by crafting data-driven content strategies that drive engagement and grow their follower base."
4. Include a call to action: "Send a message to discuss your project!"

This structure quickly qualifies leads and clearly communicates the value you offer.

3. Request Reviews to Build Social Proof

This is arguably the most powerful - and underutilized - part of the Service Page. Social proof is incredibly persuasive. A page with zero reviews is just a list of claims, a page with glowing reviews is a trusted vendor.

How to Request a Review:

1. Go to your Services Page on your LinkedIn profile.
2. At the top, you'll see a prompt inviting you to "Ask for a review."
3. LinkedIn will provide a unique link you can send to past clients.
4. Search for past clients by name and send the request directly through LinkedIn, or copy the link to share via email or other messaging apps.

Pro Tip: Don't be shy! Reach out to your best past clients. A great way to ask is: "Hi [Client Name], I hope you're doing well! I'm updating my LinkedIn profile and was wondering if you'd be open to leaving a brief review of our work together on my Services Page. It would be a huge help!"

4. Add Portfolio Items to the "Media" Section

Your Services Page allows you to add media to showcase your work. This is your chance to show rather than just tell. Add links to:

• Case Studies: A detailed breakdown of a successful project.
• Portfolio Pieces: A link to your design portfolio on Behance, development projects on GitHub, or published articles.
• Testimonial Videos: A short video clip of a happy client.
• Lead Magnets: A link to a free guide or resource you created that demonstrates your expertise.

Visual examples of your work build immediate credibility and give potential clients a tangible sense of your skills and quality.

5. Actively Promote Your Services Page

Don't just set it and forget it. Once your Services Page is live and optimized, tell people about it.

• Feature it in your Posts: When you write a post related to one of your services, mention that folks can learn more or contact you via your Services Page.
• Add it to your About Summary: Work a sentence into your main profile summary that points people to your services section for more details. For example: "You can explore my full range of services, portfolio, and client reviews in my Services section below."
• Share it in Relevant Groups: If a LinkedIn Group's rules permit it, you can share a link to your page when it genuinely helps answer a question or contributes to a discussion. Be helpful first, "salesy" second.

Final Thoughts

Setting up and optimizing your LinkedIn Services Page is a simple yet high-impact way to formalize your offerings and make it easier for ideal clients to find and hire you. By clearly defining what you do, showcasing your past work, and collecting social proof, you transform your profile from a static resume into a dynamic lead-generation tool.

After putting so much effort into optimizing your profile, showing up consistently with valuable content is the next logical step to attract even more clients. For that part of the process, our platform, Postbase, was designed to make managing all your social media content completely painless. With a single visual calendar, you can plan and schedule content for all your accounts, including LinkedIn, so you can maintain a strong presence without the daily scramble. It’s built to be simple and reliable, giving you more time to engage with the opportunities your newly optimized profile brings in.