Your headline on your LinkedIn profile is one of the most valuable sections. Not only does this sits at the top of your profile page, but it also expose you to relevant news posts, “People You May Know” sections, and LinkedIn job applications.
Whether viewed by your business contacts or a recruiter, your LinkedIn headline is critical to making a positive impression and making it clear what you’re bringing to the table.
It is one of the most critical areas for the LinkedIn search algorithm. Not only should your LinkedIn headline portray you as a trusted member of your industry, but it should also include strategic keywords that help you appear higher in LinkedIn searches.
Why the Headline is a Vital Part of Your LinkedIn Profile
Unfortunately, recruiters scrolling through hundreds of profiles don’t have the time to research your profiles to get to know you. Instead, they need to be able to access important information that tells them whether or not you’re someone worth contacting or looking into further.
That’s where the headline comes in, which is why it’s probably an essential part of your LinkedIn profile. Think of it as a digital-first impression. Your headline frames how the other person will view the rest of your profile.
If the headline catches a searcher’s attention, they’ll likely continue to read things like your summary, recommendations, and the rest of your profile for more information.
You must be wondering how a simple one-liner can be so powerful. In an era where we can communicate with just one tweet, the impact of this little profile part should come as no surprise. Your LinkedIn headline describes who you are, what you do, and whether you can be the best person for the job.
Disadvantages of Not Updating Your LinkedIn Headline
One of the most significant branding mistakes people make is not updating their LinkedIn headlines. If you don’t update the LinkedIn headline, LinkedIn will use your most recent job and company title from the ‘Experience’ section by default. LinkedIn does this to help your profile appear more impressive.
By having a complete profile, you contribute to LinkedIn’s value to its users. So it’s suitable for LinkedIn but not entirely beneficial for your brand.
If you have a vague job title and work at a company that no one has ever heard of, recruiters/managers won’t need to click on your profile. So, avoid using the “headlines” they provide and create your own instead.
The headline LinkedIn provides, while effortless, is not a branding strategy. It only extracts information that may be helpful to employers or hiring managers looking for you. Your goal is to be found and get clicked.
Therefore you need to brand your headline intentionally so you appear to be the perfect fit.
How to Write a Perfect LinkedIn Headline
1. Showcase Your Specialty And Value Proposition
If you want the attention of a recruiter, you’ll do yourself a tremendous service if your LinkedIn headline presents your “So What? Immediately. Why should a recruiter stop and watch you closely?
2. Converse Directly to the Audience You Want to Entice
Your LinkedIn headline (or your entire profile) should consider your target audience and then speak directly to it. What will compel or entice the decision-maker on the receiving end of your message? What do they care about the most? Address that in your headline.
3. Create Your Own Title Headline
You can create an unlimited number of compelling LinkedIn titles by combining the following three building blocks: Amplifier + Attribute + Title.
Examples for amplifiers:
- Master …
- Best selling …
- Best performing …
- Top 10 …
- Top 1% …
- Best …
- Top …
- #1 …
- Number 1 …
4. Leverage Last Name Hack
You can add a descriptive title at the end of your last name field. You can add up to 40 characters in that field.
It works best for concise titles and should be used sparingly, if at all. One of the benefits is that it allows you to save characters in your headline, filled with additional text.
5. Highlight Your USP In Your Headline
A headline is a great way to give your prospects some context for your profile. However, it is not enough to tell them how you can add value to an organization. Your LinkedIn profile should also highlight your value proposition.
Think of it as a tagline for an ad. The part that follows your job title can tell your prospects how you can help your customers.
If you’re not sure what you can include as your value proposition, you can check out your company’s USP. Again, your value proposition is likely to be closely related to what your company is offering.
In addition, your customer testimonials can also tell you what your value proposition can be.
6. Never Try to Impress With Big Words
It’s easy to fall into the snare of trying too hard to impress others. But resist the temptation to use jargon or big words that your prospects may not be familiar with.
Even if your LinkedIn headline is compelling, it won’t catch the attention of your potential recruiter if they don’t fully understand what you are trying to convey. Of course, you can use industry-specific terms that recruiters will be looking for.
It’s a good idea to look at the big-name profiles in your industry for some inspiration to find out which words are a good fit for use in your industry. But, instead, use your creativity to write memorable captions. Of course, if you can add humor to it, that’s a bonus. If you want to know more about LinkedIn marketing, you can contact us. Our experts are here to help you. Call now!