How to create a powerful headline in LinkedIn

Your professional headline is the most prominent element of your LinkedIn profile. It’s what others see in search results. It’s your hook to attract potential employers and clients.

Therefore you want an eye-catching headline that makes a good first impression and will get you noticed. A strong headline encourages other LinkedIn users to view your profile.

Your headline on LinkedIn needs to reflect your experience and expertise. It needs to tell an immediate story of who you are, what you do and how you help. It’s what you want to be known for. Think about it from the potential client or employer’s perspective. What would she search for?

LinkedIn defaults to use your current position for your headline however you can change this. You are limited to 120 characters however you can use * or | to make it easier to read. You don’t have to stick to your actual job title, particularly if that job title does not make sense outside your own organisation or department.

One client came to me with a headline of Director. After all she was the director and owner of her own accountancy practice but ‘Director’ is not what potential clients will search for.

After just a few minutes together to explore what she wants to be known for, we changed it to
Award-winning accountant | Practice Director | Business Mentor | Speaker.

Much more powerful, yes?

How to write your own powerful headline 

To get started on your new confident headline that says who you are and what you do, do the exercise below.

My current headline is         

 

I want to be known for         

 

My new headline is  

 

Still not sure what to change it to? Browse other LinkedIn profiles e.g. current and former work colleagues or competitors.

To change your professional headline

1. Click the Me icon at top of your LinkedIn homepage.
2. Click View profile.
3. Click the Edit icon next to your profile picture.
4. Make the changes in the Headline text box.
5. Click Save.

Want feedback on your powerful LinkedIn headline? Join us in the 10 Day LinkedIn Challenge – it’s free to register and you’ll get loads of encouragement, feedback and inspiration from others too. Click here to pre-register for the next challenge.

p.s. wondering why a women’s confidence and leadership coach is telling you how to use LinkedIn more effectively? Well it all started back in October 2007 ….