LinkedIn has over 1 billion users, with about 200 million of those users being daily users. No matter if you’re on LinkedIn to find a job, hire talent, generate leads, or expand your network, you need a profile that’s going to stand out.
The first thing someone sees when looking at your LinkedIn profile is your name & profile photo. The second is your headline. If you want these people to click on your profile, one of the best things you can do (besides taking the world’s greatest profile photo) is to improve your LinkedIn headline.
We seriously can’t stress the importance of your LinkedIn headline. Sure, you could just make it your job title, but among a sea of other qualified professionals, job titles don’t stand out. Here’s how you can make your headline unique & engaging:
What Is Your LinkedIn Headline & Why Does It Matter?
Your LinkedIn headline is front and center on your LinkedIn profile, sitting directly below your name. In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “You’re only as good as your LinkedIn headline.” Okay, maybe that wasn’t a Ben Franklin quote, but we got your attention, right? Now, here are four reasons why a LinkedIn headline is so important:
- Your LinkedIn headline is one of the first things anyone visiting your profile sees. Before reading your experience, volunteer work, achievements, or recommendations, users will see your LinkedIn headline. That goes for everyone from job recruiters, hiring managers, colleagues, new connections, and prospects.
- Your LinkedIn headline is shown all over LinkedIn. That’s right, alongside your profile photo and name, your LinkedIn headline is the only other thing that’s shown in search results & people you may know section.
- Your LinkedIn headline shows in Google. Yes, your headline is even on Google! If someone looks you up online, your LinkedIn is going to be one of the first results.
- It’s a vital part of your profile. Even if you haven’t filled out the experience or summary sections of your profile, a headline makes the key criteria list.
Your LinkedIn headline could help you get more responses from leads — so could optimizing your profile.
How To Write a LinkedIn Headline That Gets You Noticed
Writing your LinkedIn headline is important, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. We’ve kept it simple with 4 factors to focus on:
1. Highlight Your Value Proposition
Our number one suggestion is to highlight the unique value you bring to your clients and customers. In short, what sets you apart?
Here’s what a strong value proposition in a headline looks like:
- Focuses on results: Don’t just list your job title. Instead, emphasize the specific outcomes you achieve for your clients or company.
- Highlights your expertise: Mention your niche or area of specialization to attract the right kind of opportunities.
- Use strong verbs: Words like “develop,” “optimize,” or “drive” convey a proactive approach.
Example:
From: HR Director at Amazon.
To: Building a thriving workplace environment at Amazon.
2. Include Relevant Keywords – Boost Discovery
Your headline isn’t just about you, it’s about attracting the right opportunities. Here’s where keywords come in. These are words or phrases potential employers and clients use to search for professionals like you.
Here’s what you can do:
- Industry jargon: Include terms specific to your field that decision-makers might use (e.g., “SEO Specialist” or “FinTech Consultant”).
- Skills & Certifications: Mention relevant skills and certifications that showcase your expertise (e.g., “Project Management Professional” or “Social Media Marketing”).
- Job Titles: While your job title isn’t the star, consider including it if it’ highly relevant keyword (e.g., “Data Scientist” or “Sales Director”).
Remember, don’t stuff keywords unnaturally. Aim for a natural flow that still highlights your value proposition.
Example:
Bland: Marketing Manager at ABC Company
Compelling: SEO Specialist driving organic growth at ABC Company
Bonus Tip: Research popular job postings in your field to see what keywords frequently appear.
3. Keep it Detailed & Specific – Go Beyond Generic
While showcasing your value and including keywords are crucial, there’s a fine line between informative and generic. Here’s why specifics matter:
- Generic headlines are forgettable. “Marketing Manager” or “Sales professional” doesn’t tell a compelling story.
- Specificity attracts the right audience. By mentioning your niche or area of focus, you attract ideal connections.
But how do I make my headline specific?
- Focus on a specific niche in your industry: You’re not just a “marketing specialist…” You’re an “EdTech marketing specialist.”
- Quantify your achievements when possible. Increased sales by 15%? Improved website traffic by 20%? Numbers grab attention.0
Example:
Bland: Social Media Manager
Specific: Social media expert driving web traffic through social media at XYZ Company
Bonus tip: Specificity doesn’t mean lengthy headlines. Aim for around 40 characters to ensure it displays fully across devices.
4. Craft a Narrative – Let Your Headline Tell a Story
Your headline isn’t just a list of skills; it’s a mini-narrative that captures your career. Here’s how to weave a compelling story:
- Focus on the “why” behind your work. What motivates you? Passion for a specific industry or a desire to solve a particular problem?
- Infuse your headline with personality. Are you known for your creativity? Problem-solving skills? Briefly weave that into your headline to add a human touch.
- Focus on your impact. Don’t just list skills; describe how you help your clients or employer.
Example:
Bland: Project Manager at DEF Company
Compelling: Building efficiency and empowering teams to deliver innovative projects at DEF Company.
Don’t forget: Authenticity is key. Let your voice shine through, and you’ll create a headline that resonates with potential clients and employers. This same advice goes for your summary.
10 Examples of Our Favorite LinkedIn Headlines:
Now, we’ll cover 10 of our favorite LinkedIn headlines that can inspire you.
1. The Bracket Headline
The bracket headline is a fantastic way to share notable achievements, specialties, or niches with your audience. It breaks down the copy to keep the information concise and easy to read. This headline also depicts what the user’s specialty is, which is fantastic for prospects.
2. The Company Mission Headline
This profile follows a different train of thought – detailing the role of the individual and the mission of the company. This headline choice is perfect for those in leadership positions or C-suite roles at a company – especially for anyone who hires often and whose profile is viewed by potential candidates.
3. The Influencer Headline
This headline is straight to the point. It shares what the person is doing and why you should follow. However, this influencer profile goes one step further to provide the viewer with something in return for following them (and subscribing to their newsletter). Additionally, this headline shares social proof that 16k other people are subscribed to their newsletter – which is important when asking something from a viewer.
4. The “I Help” Headline
This headline uses what we call the “I help” method. That means the individual explains how they help their clients in their headline. This is a perfect example because it explains what type of audience they help and how they can help – it’s both specific and simple.
5. The Personal Branding Headline
To some extent, all LinkedIn headlines are personal branding. However, unless you’re a freelancer or own your own business, you’re most likely working for a company. For those who own their own business (or freelance), it’s important to explain exactly what you do and how your brand can benefit future clients. Additionally, we like the use of capital letters and emojis at the end of the headline.
6. The Two-Fold Headline
This profile uses a two-fold approach – explaining how the individual helps those that connect/follow him and how he benefits companies. This approach is perfect if you’re an up-and-coming influencer, or trying to start your own personal business.
7. The Location Dependent Headline
If you work in a position that depends on a location (real estate is a great example here), then you should include that in your headline. This profile uses that exact approach to explain what they do, where they do it, and a few other keywords that relate to their job experience.
8. The Founder/Co-Founder Profile
This headline manages to achieve its goal in only two lines. The first is dedicated to the role, the second is dedicated to the mission of the company. That makes prospecting a lot easier as a company – since invites are able to understand what your company does without leaving the website. Ultimately, this works to improve your response rate.
9. The Catchy LinkedIn Headline
This headline breaks the rules. While it still manages to share the job title of the individual, it uses a catchphrase rather than a value proposition. We don’t recommend this for everyone – however, it works great for anyone looking to gain a following on LinkedIn.
10. The Former Company Headline
If you’ve worked for some notable companies in the past (and are interested in joining similar organizations), then including those former companies is a good idea. Again, it gives your profile the social proof that you’re competitive enough, skilled enough, and experienced enough for a role at a high-end company.
How To Change Your LinkedIn Headline
Changing your LinkedIn headline is a straightforward and simple process. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Locate Your LinkedIn Profile
If you’ve just opened your LinkedIn account, your profile will be completely blank. If you’re not new, you may just be updating your headline. Either way, the first step in the process is to navigate to your LinkedIn profile.
If you’re just setting up your LinkedIn profile for the first time. Make sure you have a clear and professional profile picture – as that’s one of the things future contacts will take into account.
Step 2: Find the Edit Icon
Next, you’ll need to go to the edit icon. You can find it in the top right of your screen – it looks like a pencil.
Step 3: Edit Your Headline
In the edit section, you can edit your name, education, pronouns, industry, and headline. Scroll down until you find “headline,” and type your new eye-catching headline.
Frequently Asked Questions
To change your LinkedIn headline, first navigate to your profile. From there, hit the edit button in the top right-hand corner of your screen. Once the edit window opens, you’ll see the different sections of your profile you can edit. Scroll down until you see “Headline” and type in your brand new LinkedIn headline.
You should include your job title and value proposition in your headline. For a more detailed headline that will increase your search presence on LinkedIn, think about including things like your location, industry, hard skills, achievements, and tools you’re fluent with.
The default LinkedIn headline-only uses your job title and company. When writing your own LinkedIn headline, you can include up to 220 characters to depict how you are valuable to a team, company, or client. Additionally, using niche-specific keywords can help your appearance in LinkedIn’s search results.
As a student, you should include your degree and university, hard skills, dream job, academic honors and awards, scholarships, thesis, and achievements that you are proud of.
While LinkedIn allows headlines up to 220 characters, ideally keep it around 40 to ensure it displays fully on all devices. Focus on value proposition, strong verbs, and relevant keywords for maximum impact. If you can’t tell your story in 40 characters, prioritize the most impactful details and keep it concise.
There’s no hard and fast rule, but it’s a good idea to review and possibly update your headline whenever your career goals or experience evolve. For instance, if you receive a promotion, develop a new skillset, or shift career paths, update your headline to reflect your current value proposition.
This depends. If your company is highly recognized in your field, including it can add credibility. However, prioritize showcasing your value proposition first. Your headline has limited characters, so focus on the unique skills and expertise you bring to the table.
In Summary
Of course, a headline won’t make bad outreach good. If you truly want to increase your reach and starting your LinkedIn network seriously, we recommend using a LinkedIn Automation Tool, like We-Connect. You can run an outreach campaigns for 14 days completely free.
