Coming up with a catchy headline for LinkedIn can be challenging. Your headline is one of the first things people notice on LinkedIn, so you want it to grab attention and accurately convey who you are professionally. At the same time, you only have 120 characters to work with. That’s not a lot of room for creativity. The good news is that with some thought and effort, you can craft a compelling, memorable LinkedIn headline. Here are some tips to create catchy headlines that work.
Keep it short and sweet
First things first – remember the 120 character limit. Get right to the point in your headline and avoid unnecessary fluff. Short, snappy headlines have the most impact. Prioritize the most important information you want to convey. Everything else can go in your summary and experience sections. Some examples of short, effective LinkedIn headlines:
– Marketing Director @ XYZ Company
– John Smith | Accountant | Financial Analysis
– Jane Doe | Product Manager | Innovation + Strategy
You don’t need to use all 120 characters. Leaving some white space can make your headline stand out more on someone’s crowded LinkedIn feed.
Highlight your professional identity
Your LinkedIn headline should clearly communicate who you are as a professional – your current role and industry. This helps people understand at a glance what you do. For example:
– Katie Wilson | Software Engineer at Microsoft
– social media hebrew school teacher
– Project Manager – IT Services Industry
List your current job title and company so readers immediately know your role. You can add your industry as well to provide helpful context. Just be sure it’s clear what you currently do.
Emphasize areas of expertise
Beyond your job title, your headline is a great chance to feature your main skills, qualifications, and areas of expertise. A few examples:
– Accountant – Financial Reporting, Auditing, Tax Compliance
– Sales Director | Client Relations | Contract Negotiation
– RN, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner | Asthma Education & Management
This gives people more insight into what makes you uniquely qualified for your job. Focus on expertise that would interest your target audience on LinkedIn.
Include keywords
Keywords are crucial for LinkedIn’s search algorithm to find you. Include relevant keywords for your industry, job function, skills, qualifications, and interests. For example:
– Digital Marketing | SEO, Social Media, Email Marketing, Analytics
– Clinical Research | Oncology Trials | Protocol Development
– Finance Professional | Budgeting, Risk Management, Financial Reporting
Just be sure keywords flow naturally in your headline. You want them to sound smooth, not awkwardly jammed in.
Show off thought leadership
For certain professionals, emphasizing thought leadership can be an effective LinkedIn headline strategy. For example:
– John Smith | Leading Business Growth Consultant
– Jane Doe | Customer Experience Guru | Keynote Speaker
– Bob Wilson | Corporate Innovation Evangelist
This works well if you have established expertise in your field. Just be sure claims like “guru” and “evangelist” are backed up by your reputation.
Add personality and flair
While concise headlines work best, you can sprinkle in some personality if it aligns with your personal brand. For example:
– Lucy Lee | Bringing Ideas to Life Through Interior Design
– Making the Complex Simple – Financial Analyst
– Problem Solver Focused on Positive Client Outcomes
This extra flair can help you stand out while remaining professional. Just keep it succinct.
Dynamic headlines
You’re not stuck with one static headline. LinkedIn lets you change it up. Consider updating it when you switch jobs, get a promotion, publish content or have other professional news to share. Stay current!
Headline examples
Here are some more examples of compelling LinkedIn headlines:
Industry | Headline |
---|---|
Technology | Senior UX Designer | User-Centered Design | Prototyping |
Marketing | Content Marketer | Audience Engagement | Storytelling |
Healthcare | Compassionate Care | Pediatric Nurse Practitioner |
Engineering | Civil Engineer | Project Management | Quality Control |
Education | 3rd Grade Teacher | Making Learning Fun | Field Trips |
Tips for writing
Here are some additional tips for writing a stellar LinkedIn headline:
– Choose short, punchy phrasing. Every word counts.
– Lead with your most relevant information. Get right to the point.
– Be specific. Generic claims won’t make you stand out.
– Emphasize areas of specialty, expertise and thought leadership.
– Include keywords targeted to your audience.
– Show personality, but stay professional.
– Consider updating it periodically to stay current.
Do’s and don’ts
Here are some key do’s and don’ts to keep in mind:
DO:
– Keep it concise and scannable
– Accurately reflect your current role
– Showcase your professional identity and qualifications
– Include keywords and skills that fit your industry
– Update it regularly as your career evolves
DON’T:
– Use boring cliches like “experienced professional”
– Make it overly long or wordy
– Focus on outdated credentials
– Use hype or exaggeration
– Leave it stagnant for too long
Conclusion
Crafting a compelling yet concise LinkedIn headline takes effort, but it’s worth it. Your headline is prime real estate for communicating who you are and what you do. The most effective headlines are specific, targeted, and professional – with a dash of personality. Emphasize your current job, industry keywords, areas of specialty, and what makes you stand out. Keep it short, punchy and scannable. With these tips in mind, you can write a LinkedIn headline that makes a strong first impression.