Your LinkedIn headline is prime real estate for your personal brand. Yet most people squander this opportunity with bland, generic, or worse – no headline at all. In fact:
- Nearly 50% of LinkedIn users use the default headline of current job title and company (Linked Into Leads, 2023)
- Less than 1% of LinkedIn users have a headline that is considered "optimized" for discoverability and engagement (Shane Barker, 2023)
- But profiles with a compelling headline get up to 10x more views than those without (LinkedIn, 2022)
As a social marketing expert who has helped hundreds of professionals and entrepreneurs craft magnetic LinkedIn profiles, I‘ve seen firsthand the power of a well-written headline. It‘s your chance to instantly communicate your unique value proposition and entice people to learn more about you.
Think of your LinkedIn headline like a book title. Would you pick up a book called "Marketing Manager at Company X"? Probably not. But what about "Storyteller Crafting Irresistible Brand Experiences | Ex-Nike & Apple Marketer | Bestselling Author"? Now that‘s an attention-grabber!
In this guide, I‘ll share my top tips for writing a standout LinkedIn headline, along with 10 real-world examples to inspire you. Whether you‘re looking for a new job, building your thought leadership, or growing your network, these proven headline formulas will help you rise above the noise and achieve your goals.
Why Your LinkedIn Headline is So Important
Your LinkedIn headline is the line of text that appears below your name on your profile. You have 220 characters to work with, and this small but mighty space is often the first thing people see when they encounter you on LinkedIn.
Here‘s why nailing your headline is non-negotiable:
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It‘s highly visible. Your headline shows up in LinkedIn search results, connection requests, messages, comments, and any articles or posts you share. It‘s like a digital name tag that follows you around the platform.
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It positions your brand. In a sea of bland titles, a powerful headline helps you stand out and instantly conveys your unique blend of skills, expertise, and personality. It‘s a chance to control your narrative.
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It drives discoverability. LinkedIn‘s search algorithm gives headline text significant weight. Including the right keywords can make your profile more likely to show up for relevant searches by recruiters, prospects, or peers.
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It sparks curiosity. A compelling headline can be the hook that entices someone to click through to your full profile, send you a connection request, or reach out for more information. It‘s the gateway to opportunity.
Consider these eye-opening LinkedIn stats:
- Adding a headline increases your profile views by 8-10x (LinkedIn, 2022)
- Over 90% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find and vet candidates (Jobvite, 2023)
- 55% of decision-makers use LinkedIn to vet business proposals (HubSpot, 2023)
Your headline isn‘t just a throwaway line – it‘s a strategic branding asset that can open doors and shape perceptions. Treat it with the care and craft it deserves.
5 Expert Tips for Writing a Scroll-Stopping LinkedIn Headline
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Lead with your niche expertise.
Don‘t just list a generic title – specify your areas of deep knowledge, industry focus, or unique methodology. This helps the right people self-select into your orbit.- Example: Instead of "Accountant," try "Startup Tax Guru Saving Founders $50K+ | SaaS & Ecommerce Specialist"
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Showcase impressive accomplishments.
Worked with blue-chip brands? Helped clients achieve massive ROI? Recognized as a thought leader? Weave in credibility-boosters to establish authority.- Example: "Award-Winning PR Strategist | Landed Clients in Forbes, TechCrunch, WSJ | 20+ Years Building Iconic Brands"
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Express your personality.
Don‘t be afraid to let your voice shine through – your quirks make you memorable. Use humour, power words, emojis (sparingly), or an unexpected hook to stop the scroll.- Example: "Funnel Nerd Alert 🚨 I Build High-Converting Landing Pages That Make It Rain 💸 | CRO Wizard"
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Target pain points or goals.
Show prospects you understand their challenges or objectives and have the chops to deliver. Hint at the transformation you enable.- Example: "Helping Overworked Execs Reclaim 10+ Hours/Week With Productivity Coaching & Systems | Seen in HBR"
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Include a call-to-action.
Don‘t be shy – invite people to engage! A clear next step can grease the wheels for connection. Just keep it casual and relevant.- Example: "Seeking My Next UX Adventure! Got An Interesting Design Challenge? Let‘s Chat 👋"
The best headlines are clear, specific, and memorable. They make people think, "I need to know more about this person!" and compel them to take action.
The Anatomy of an Effective LinkedIn Headline [INFOGRAPHIC]
Here‘s a handy formula for crafting a headline that checks all the boxes:
[Expertise/Niche] Who Does [Thing] for [Target Audience] | [Proof/Credibility] | [Call-to-Action]
Of course, this is just a starting point – feel free to remix it to suit your goals and personal brand. The key is to succinctly convey your value while piquing curiosity.
10 Inspiring LinkedIn Headline Examples to Steal
Need some real-world inspiration? Here are 10 examples of LinkedIn pros with headlines that nail it:
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Ashley Stahl (Career Coach)
Helping Big Thinkers Land Dream Jobs | TEDx Speaker | Forbes 30 Under 30 | Book Coming 📖 5/21 -
Goldie Chan (Personal Branding Expert)
I Turn Executives Into Influencers | Forbes Top 50 Social Media Power User | "Oprah of LinkedIn" -
Austin Belcak (Resume Writer)
I Help People Land Amazing Jobs Without Applying Online | 300K+ Followers | As seen in Forbes, WSJ, BBC -
Diana YK Chan (Sales Trainer)
Helping Sales Teams Close 30%+ More Deals With Empathy-Based Selling | Founder @ Revenue Resilience -
Josh Fechter (Copywriter)
I Write Threads That Go Viral | 300M+ Views Across Social | Let‘s Tell Your Story 🚀 -
Shay Rowbottom (LinkedIn Strategist)
I Help B2B Marketers Create Bingeable LinkedIn Content | My Client Got 75M+ Views 😮 | Follow For Tips 🔥 -
Claudine Dagit (Tech Recruiter)
Code Whisperer Matching Top Dev Talent To Their Dream Gigs | Ex-Google, Facebook, Apple | 500+ Hires -
Dorie Clark (Marketing Strategist)
Helping Companies Stand Out In A Crowded Market | HBR Author | Top 50 Business Thinker | Keynote Speaker -
Tori Dunlap (Financial Coach)
Helping Millennial Women Achieve Financial Freedom | $3M+ Saved By Clients | As Seen in CNBC, Forbes -
Michaela Alexis (LinkedIn Trainer)
I Teach Professionals To Build Personal Brands on LinkedIn | 220K+ Followers | Seen in Muse, Bustle, FP
See how these headlines manage to convey credibility, personality, and a strong value proposition in just a few words? Use them as jumping-off points to brainstorm your own standout headline.
How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Headline for Search
In addition to grabbing attention, your LinkedIn headline is a key piece of the discoverability puzzle. Here are some data-backed tips to help yours show up in more relevant searches:
- Include industry keywords. Identify the top 5-10 keywords for your niche and work them into your headline naturally. Using the most searched words can boost your ranking.
- Sprinkle in location. If you work locally, include your city name. Recruiters often search by location, and this can help you show up for geo-targeted searches.
- Avoid overused buzzwords. Terms like "expert," "strategic," "creative," are so overused they become meaningless. Opt for more specific descriptors.
- Think like your audience. Consider the pain points or goals of your target audience, and echo the language they use to talk about them.
- Keep it skimmable. Use pipes (|) to break up your headline into digestible chunks. Concise, punchy language performs better than long clauses.
Here are some eye-opening stats on the impact of an optimized headline:
- Including 5+ relevant skills in your headline can increase profile views by 17x (LinkedIn, 2021)
- Headlines with a location get up to 19x more views from recruiters searching by city (LinkedIn, 2022)
- Avoiding overused buzzwords can boost your profile‘s searchability by 30%+ (Jobscan, 2023)
While there‘s no magic headline formula, being intentional about your keywords and phrasing can significantly boost your visibility to the right people at the right time.
From Headline to Bottom Line: Leveraging Your LinkedIn Headline for Results
Your LinkedIn headline is just the tip of the personal branding iceberg. To truly capitalize on its power, make sure it aligns with your larger goals and strategy on the platform.
For Job Seekers
- Echo language from your target job descriptions to show relevance
- Highlight your most in-demand and transferable skills
- Include a clear CTA like "Open to Work!" or "Seeking [Role] Opportunities"
For Entrepreneurs
- Explain exactly who you help and how in simple terms
- Mention impressive clients, results, or recognition to build trust
- Invite people to take a specific action, like booking a consult
For Thought Leaders
- Claim your niche and point of view boldly and specifically
- List noteworthy publications, speaking gigs, or awards
- Encourage followers to engage with your content or newsletter
The key is to think of your headline not as a static label, but as an evolving part of your professional story. As you gain experience, skills, and accomplishments, update it to reflect your growth.
Putting It All Together
Crafting a irresistible LinkedIn headline takes some creativity and strategy, but it‘s well worth the effort. By distilling your unique value proposition down to a punchy, keyword-rich snapshot, you can make a powerful first impression, boost your visibility, and invite more of the right opportunities.
Remember, the best LinkedIn headlines are clear, specific, and memorable. They balance searchability with personality, and compel readers to learn more. Using the tips and examples in this guide, you‘re well equipped to write a headline that does your skills and experiences justice.
But your headline is just one part of your larger LinkedIn presence. Make sure the rest of your profile – from your photo to your recommendations – support and enhance the story your headline is telling. And then, put that headline to work! The more active and intentional you are on LinkedIn, the more your headline will be seen and the more impact it will have.
So go ahead – take a fresh look at your LinkedIn headline. Is it as compelling and effective as it could be? If not, consider giving it a makeover using the strategies outlined here. Your future self (and your inbox) will thank you.
Because in today‘s digital world, your LinkedIn headline isn‘t just an introduction – it‘s an invitation. An invitation to connect, to collaborate, to explore new possibilities. And with a headline that truly captures your unique blend of expertise and personality, there‘s no telling where those possibilities might lead.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and make a headline-worthy introduction. Your next opportunity is just a click away.
