Your LinkedIn profile headline is one of the most important elements on your LinkedIn profile. It appears right below your name and photo and serves as an elevator pitch that tells people who you are and what you do in just a few words. Having a compelling yet concise headline can grab attention, convey your key skills and areas of expertise, and entice connections to click into your full profile. But crafting the perfect headline that encapsulates your professional brand can be a challenge. This article will provide tips, examples, and best practices to help you write an effective LinkedIn headline that makes a strong first impression.
Why Your LinkedIn Headline Matters
Your LinkedIn headline has a big impact, even though it’s quite short. Here’s why it’s important to get it right:
– It’s high visibility. Your headline appears on your profile and in search results, giving people a first impression of your brand.
– It describes your professional identity. Your headline should reflect your career focus, skills, experience, and values.
– It’s searchable. Keywords in your headline can help you come up in relevant searches.
– It encourages clicks. An intriguing, benefit-focused headline can entice viewers to visit your full profile.
In just a few words, your headline can capture attention, communicate who you are, and compel the right people to connect with you. Taking the time to optimize it is well worth the effort.
Headline Formula
Your LinkedIn headline should follow a simple formula:
[Job Title] at [Company] | [Key Skills & Differentiators] | [Industry Focus]
This establishes your current role and employer, highlights your most relevant skills and experience, and states your industry or area of specialty.
Here are explanations of each element:
Job Title at Company: Lead with your current job title and employer name. For example: Digital Marketing Manager at XYZ Corp.
Key Skills & Differentiators: Summarize 2-4 top skills, achievements, certifications, or specializations that make you stand out. For example: Digital Strategy | SEO | Content Marketing | 3x Award Winner
Industry Focus: Close with your industry or niche area of focus in a few words. For example: Helping Retail Brands Grow
This consistent structure helps showcase your professional brand strategically and succinctly.
Headline Length
Your LinkedIn headline can be up to 120 characters. But shorter often works better.
Aim for 70-100 characters to keep your headline scannable and prevent cutting off text in search results. Anything under 60 characters is usually too brief.
Be concise and only include your most relevant details. Extra fluff dilutes your message. Quality over quantity applies here.
Keywords
Incorporate relevant keywords in your LinkedIn headline to get found in searches. Think about terms employers would use to find candidates like you.
Relevant keywords might include:
– Industry terms like “education”, “healthcare”, “technology”
– Job titles and certifications like “product manager”, “PMP”
– Skills like “graphic design”, “financial analysis”
– Software and tools you have expertise in
– Types of services your provide, like “social media marketing”
Just be sure keywords flow naturally in your headline. Don’t overstuff it. 3-5 keywords is ideal.
Formatting Tips
Here are some formatting best practices for an optimal LinkedIn headline:
– Capitalize each word, like a title. Easier to read.
– Use vertical bars “|” to separate sections. Cleaner than commas.
– Bold your current job title/company for emphasis.
– Use numerals for numbers. Easier to scan than spelled out.
– Avoid overused cliches like “passionate”, “strategic thinker”, “innovative”.
– Check character count to avoid cutting off text.
– Proofread! Typos undermine your professional brand.
Examples
Here are some examples of effective LinkedIn profile headlines:
Digital Marketing Director | ROI-Focused PPC & SEO | Helping Ecommerce Brands Scale
Senior Product Manager | User-Centered Design | 5+ Years SaaS Experience
John Smith | Principal Engineer | Machine Learning & AI Specialist
Jane Doe | Cyber Security Consultant | Ethical Hacking & Risk Assessments
These headlines follow the formula, incorporate relevant keywords, quantify achievements, highlight specialized skills, and convey industry/role focus – all in a scannable format using 70-100 characters.
Customize for Your Goals
Your LinkedIn headline should align with your current goals and the types of opportunities you want to attract.
Customize your headline for:
– Job searching – Spotlight relevant skills for positions you’re targeting.
– Business development – Showcase expertise people seek when hiring consultants.
– Career change – Tailor to pivot industries/roles; downplay old titles.
– Personal branding – Focus on showcasing thought leadership and specializations.
Update your headline regularly as your goals and focus areas evolve.
Do’s and Don’ts
Here are some key do’s and don’ts to keep in mind:
DO:
– Showcase current job title & company
– Highlight 2-4 key skills or achievements
– Use keywords applicable to your industry/roles
– Quantify accomplishments with numbers
– Convey your professional brand succinctly
– Proofread to prevent typos or cutoff text
DON’T:
– Use generic terms like “experienced” or “strategic thinker”
– Include skills/tools not relevant to target roles
– Overuse superlatives like “guru”, “ninja”, “wizard”
– Cram too many keywords just to try getting found
– Use lengthy titles that get cut off
– Misrepresent your experience level
Test Different Versions
Iteration and testing can help improve your LinkedIn headline.
Try out different versions and get feedback from colleagues. See which headlines generate the most profile views and connection requests.
A/B test headlines for a few weeks each to see which perform best. Consider using tools like LinkedIn Elevate to compare results.
Experiment with showcasing different skills, keywords, or calls-to-action in your headline to discover what works. Data trumps guesswork.
Display Options
You have options for how your name and headline display on your LinkedIn profile:
1. Headline only: Just displays your optimized headline
2. Name & headline: Shows first/last name above your headline
3. First name & headline: Puts your first name above the headline
Using your first name only can add a touch of personalization and approachability. But the name + headline option provides the most branding real estate.
Refresh Frequently
Revisit your LinkedIn headline regularly to keep it updated.
You should adjust it whenever:
– You change jobs
– You take on new major projects or achievements to highlight
– You expand your skills or certifications
– Your professional goals shift
– You want to test new keywords or messaging
Your headline should evolve as your career develops. Don’t let it stagnate.
Integrate with Other Profiles
Use a consistent headline across your professional profiles beyond just LinkedIn.
Alignment boosts your personal branding and SEO.
Your LinkedIn headline should match:
– Resumes
– Personal websites
– Professional bios
– Email signatures
– Business cards
– Social media accounts
– Bylines/articles
– Speaking pages
– Slideshare
Cross-integrate your optimized headline across all touchpoints.
Conclusion
Your LinkedIn headline is prime real estate for conveying your professional brand and expertise. Crafting a compelling, keyword-rich headline that aligns with your goals takes effort. But it’s one of the highest return activities for your LinkedIn presence. Use the tips and best practices in this guide to make your profile headline more discoverable, impactful, and optimized. Just remember to keep it succinct, descriptive, and consistently updated over time. With an engaging headline that markets you well, you can attract more of the right connections and opportunities on LinkedIn.
