Writing A Good Headline On LinkedIn

... is hard. Sometimes frustrating. I understand. You want to get it perfect...

In this article, I'll show you LinkedIn headlines that have proven to work for others. For this cause I have curated a list of outstanding real-world headline examples. But before we start, let us ask the question of what we want to achieve with our LinkedIn headline?

In my opinion, your headlines should awake the following:

• Show people who you are
• Demonstrate what you can do for them
• Add trust
• Help you appear in search
• Incentivize people to take action
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Note: On LinkedIn, you get 220 characters of total headline length. (Some report to have 240 characters when editing the headline on mobile). Use them wisely!
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What Makes a Good LinkedIn Headline?

• It illustrates the value you bring to the table through your past achievements or results you brought to your employers or clients.
• It includes relevant keywords in your headline. Check what the top results show and the kind of keywords they’re using.
• A good LinkedIn headline has a value proposition that shows your approach to work and what makes you different from everyone else.
• It's specific about the industry you specialize in and the type of people you've worked with, so visitors and future customers/employers can set the right expectations.
• Finally, an awesome LinkedIn headline highlights your personality. It shows visitors who you are outside of work and what your interests are, helping you build your personal brand on LinkedIn.

Headline Mistakes to Avoid

• Adding too many emojis in the headline - limit to one or two emojis.
• Using too many buzzwords and stuffing your headline with multiple keywords - keep it to 2-3 keywords.
• Don't use abbreviations that are not very commonly used in your industry.
• Settling for the default headline provided by LinkedIn.
• Not adding sentence breaks such as “|”, “,” and “-” in the headline.

6 Types Of LinkedIn Headlines

Type #1 - The Trusted Expert

Next example:

Another one:

Why are they good LinkedIn headline examples?

What do all of these headlines have in common? Right, they add massive trust by showing their accomplishments/references. Does it work? I'm sure it at least helps to stop the scroll and make people want to read more.

If that's your goal, think about adding similar trust elements in your LinkedIn headline.

Don't have any exciting-looking accomplishments like that? Me neither, so here is an example of someone that is most likely closer to you and me:

Takeaways:

• Consider writing about references that add trust.
• Use visible separators like "|" or "•"

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Type #2 - The SEO King

Why is it good?

In his profile, the word SEO appears 59 times. He made it very clear what his offer is all about, which is - you guessed it - SEO! Fili will be the first thing you find on the LinkedIn search when you type in "SEO." Impressive!

‍Tip: By adding keywords in your profile, you increase the chance of getting found for your target search term.

Takeaways:

• Define keywords you want to be found for.
• Add them to your headline.
• Get found.

Ah, wait! It's not that easy after all. But it is a good first step towards your goal of getting found more often.

(If you want to dig deeper into how to optimize your LinkedIn Profile check out the linked article.)

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Type #3 - The Benefit Hero

Why is it good?

What's the benefit when I look at Taylor's profile? "I'm the best account to follow on LinkedIn, look at my headline!" Well, that's one way to put it.

People like reading about what you can do for them or how you can help, especially if you're on LinkedIn to grow your business. Be clear and precise, that's my advice.

Takeaways:

• Let people know what you can do for them.
• Let your statement speak for itself.

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Type #4 - The Announcing CTA Leader

Why is it good?

You want people to buy, not just keep scrolling? Try to add a call to action like Kendall. She did a few things very well:

First, the headline is on short & point.

Second, she's taking the opportunity to get the word out in just 38 characters. That's great because the CTA will also be visible on mobile.

Takeaways:

• Include the name of your company.
• Use emojis like 👇, ➡️ to motivate people to act.
• If you have a special event coming up (or you're hiring), make it visible.

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Type #5 - The Bold Standout

Why is it good?

Holy smokes! That's what I'm talking about!

Cindy uses a bold and outstanding headline that grabs attention. It's promising, brave, and makes you want to learn more.

Use this strategy if you want to grab attention and you are the kind of person that likes to be in the spotlight. If you meet the criteria, Cindy's method might just be for you. ;)

Takeaways:

• Bold statements grab attention.
• A controversial statement increases the chance to polarize.

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Type #6 - Mr./ Mrs. "I keep It simple"

Why is this LinkedIn headline example good?

It's not very engaging, not special... BUT it's still better than stuffing your headline with buzzwords and phrases like: "I help companies with more than..."

You don't want people to think you are smirking. Use this format if you don't have anything to sell, no "real" goal on LinkedIn, or just want to point out one specific thing.

At the end of the day, it's all about focus.

Takeaways:

• Don't use buzzwords.
• Keep it simple and clean.
• Or add the domain of your company (eg. inlytics.io).

5 Great LinkedIn Headline Examples For Sales People

Sales Headline Example #1:

Why is it good?

I think this first example is great because it simple. People want to know who they are dealing with. The message is on point and Michael makes it clear where he works, which is a great move. People will reconcile you with the name of your brand. This is what you want, especially when doing cold outreach on LinkedIn.

Takeaways:

• Include the name of your brand.
• Use visible separators like "|" "•".
• Keep your LinkedIn headline short and simple.

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Sales Headline Example #2:

Why is it good?

Very short and concise. The whole idea here is to make the domain name, aka. the brand, stand out. And it does. Do this if you want to raise the awareness of your company while being fully responsive, even on mobile.

Takeaways:

• Include your domain name.
• Keep it short and precise.
• Don't use fancy job titles & buzz words.

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Sales Headline Example #3:

Why is it good?

I like this headline example because it builds trust while focusing on important keyword opportunities. Again, it's all nice and neat. Ryan used different words to describe his skills, all of which might be used by his target audience(s). Learn from him and apply it to your LinkedIn profile.

Takeaways:

• Use keywords to be found by people searching for you (LinkedIn SEO).
• Build trust by showing your skills.

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Sales Headline Example #4:

Why is it good?

Linsey has a good use of emojis in this example. The headline is perky, but not too much. The point is: you can get away with anything - just don't overdo it.

I also like the implementation of the hashtag right there. Still, I have to criticize her for not including a more compelling CTA in the headline. Something like: "get in contact 👇" would do the trick.

Takeaways:

• Use the LinkedIn hashtags that you want to brand.
• Use emojis to perk up your headline.

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Sales Headline Example #5

Why is it good?

I love this example because Thorsten did on thing perfectly: he communicated the benefit in under 50 symbols. Awesome! Also, he is very precise about what he does, especially with his LinkedIn content strategy.

He included a clear CTA in the headline as well as his domain name. Great job!

Takeaways:

• Use a strong Call-to-Action in your headline.
• Include the benefit of what you are doing.

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LinkedIn Headline Examples for IT Professionals

IT Professionals Headline Example #1:

Why is this LinkedIn headline example great for IT professionals?

The best thing about this profile is that it showcases only the things relevant to the target audience. First, it has the keyword “full stack software engineer" that will help this IT professional get discovered on LinkedIn, followed by the skills he mastered.

Takeaways

• It’s not too wordy - just the perfect amount for an IT professional
• It has all the relevant keywords

IT Professionals Headline Example #2:

Why is this headline example good?

I personally liked the “AWS certified” section highlighting Harikrishna's credibility as a software developer. Also, mentioning that he’s looking for new opportunities helps a recruiter know he’s available to hire.

Takeaways

• It’s always a good idea to mention your achievements or certifications in your headline if they're something a potential employer values highly.

LinkedIn Headline Examples For Other Professionals

Entrepreneurs

Example of LinkedIn headlines for entrepreneurs #1:

‍Why is this LinkedIn headline good for entrepreneurs?

Credibility in any form speaks for a person. In this case, Pallav is showing it off boldly in his headline. The headline is simple and eye-catching to stop the scroll.

Takeaways

• Highlight your biggest wins in your headline to make it impressive.

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Example #2:

Why is it good?

The headline is neatly structured and organized, showcasing all important info about Slavko, including his company, role, value prop, and CTA. His ‘Talks about’ section also say a lot about the kind of content you can expect from him. (It's visible because he uses LinkedIn Creator Mode).

Slavko follows through, making it clear he's an expert at LinkedIn storytelling!

Takeaways

• If you want to include multiple elements in your headline, separate them with a “|” sign.
• Help your visitors with a CTA in your headline to cut their efforts short.
• Mention the publications that featured you.
• Promoting a special offer? Mention it in your LinkedIn banner or headline!

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LinkedIn Headline Example for Accountants

Why is this a great LinkedIn headline example for accountants?

Jerin's profile instantly impresses with the on-point cover photo and the massive list of services. The headline tells you exactly who Jerin caters to ("startup consulting") and which primary services you should contact him for.

Takeaways

• If you’re crystal clear about your target audience and niche, it’s always a good idea to mention that in your headline.
• Always include hashtags to be more specific about your service offerings.
• When in a highly-regulated industry such as accounting, list your credentials.

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LinkedIn Headline Example for Customer Success and Support

Why is this a good headline for customer support?

The headline shows a glimpse of who Kelsey isand what she does - including her job title, her value proposition, and her being a military spouse (adds a personal touch to it). What’s more impressive is her cover photo which showcases her company logo and their USP to the visitors.

Even if you're looking for a new position, it'll be nice for new employers to see how much you champion the companies you work for and that they can count on you to be an employee advocate.

Takeaways:

• Add your personality to the headline showing who you are as a person.
• Champion your company.
• If you specialize in certain parts of your job (Kelsey mentions CS success, growth and automation), mention it in your headline as a differentiator.

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LinkedIn Headline Example for Project Managers

Why is this a great LinkedIn headline for project managers?

The profile shows Sameer’s expertise in a specific area as a project manager and mentions the division for which he works, i.e., engineering. This helps him stand out among other project managers on LinkedIn and get noticed right away when someone searches for “engineering project manager."

Takeaways

• It’s always better to mention a specific field you work in instead of putting up a generic headline.

LinkedIn Headline Example for Freelancers

Why should freelancers learn from this LinkedIn headline?

This profile clearly shows what Andrew does and who he works with. When someone searches for a fintech, financial, crypto or Web3 content writer, they'll easily find him.

Likewise, clients coming from other sources will immediately recognize that he specializes in their niche, as opposed to having to waste time browsing his profile.

(Spoiler alert: very few do that.)

Takeaways

• Clarity about your niche will help you land better clients, and it's a best practice for marketing your business on LinkedIn.
• Include high-ranking keywords such as “SEO copywriter” and “content writer” in your headline to get found.

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3 Outstanding LinkedIn Headline Examples For Job Seekers

Before we go deeper, I want to show you 1 specific example that I want you to avoid.

I see a lot of people adding terms like "Looking for a job," "unemployed," or "seeking a job" to their headline. That's terrible!

Why?

It's inexpressive and doesn't indicate what your skills are or what you are looking for. Instead, I have put together examples of good and meaningful LinkedIn headlines that will make your LinkedIn profile interesting to recruiters.

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Job Seeker Headline Example #1:

Why is it good?

This example convinces by a good use of active voice: "Actively searching..". Also, he points out the industry he wants to work in, which is great for recruiters. They can help you more because they know what you're searching for.

Takeaways:

• Use active voice instead of passive voice (the difference between active and passive voice).
• Mention the industry you want to work in.

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Job Seeker Headline Example #2:

Why is it good?

Magalie uses a precise description to let people know what she is searching for. She avoids buzz words. Also, she includes the location she is aiming to work in. Bravo!

Takeaways:

• Include your location or the location you want to work in.
• Again, avoid buzz words.

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Job Seeker Headline Example #3:

Why is this a good LinkedIn headline for job-seekers?

Fantastic! This is a great headline. Here is why:

She used her graduation as a trust element ("see, I learned this at a well-known university!"). At the same time, she made sure to connect her profile experiences (rightside) to match her LinkedIn headline. Furthermore, she included her preferred location.

Takeaways:

• Add trust elements (like certifications, degrees or your experiences).
• Match your experiences with your headline.

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1 Excellent LinkedIn Headline Example For Students

Student Headline Example #1:

Why is it good?

This student did a great job with adding relevant pieces of information to her headline. She included her current position, that she is searching for a new intern position, and also added trust by showing her current side project: a podcast.

A friend of mine, who is frequently involved in the recruiting process once told me about how he prospects new candidates. What he is looking out for. The most important thing is engagement. Someone showing that they aregoing the extra mile by doing things like, for example, starting their own podcast, shows how engaged and ambitious they are.

Takeaways:

• Include elements like degrees, graduations, or your past experiences.
• Mention your side-hustles or hobby projects.

• Use hashtags like #opentowork.

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Professional LinkedIn Headline Examples For HR People

HR Headline Example #1:

Why is it good?

The woman in the example above does one thing extremely well: she states very clearly what she and her company are looking for - an HR Manager.

Many headline CTAs are all the same: "Hiring!" or "We're looking for good people." That's like naming the CTA on your website "Searching for Customers." Not very special, is it?

It's better to describe what specifically you're searching for and sprinkle in your employer branding.

(At this point, I want to thank Jan-Lütje Thoden for giving me a heads up about this topic.)

Takeaways:

• Include a descriptive CTA in your LinkedIn headline.

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HR Headline Example #2:

Why is it good?

I very much like how Michael captures the value of his work in short statements like these: "Talent Spotter" and "Team Builder," both characteristics of an excellent HR professional.

Takeaways:

• Capture the value of your work in short and punchy statements.

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HR Headline Examples for Recruiters on LinkedIn

LinkedIn Headline Example for Recruiters #1:

Why is it good?

Shaziya includes top-ranking keywords in her profile, such as "talent acquisition" and "IT recruiter," and shows her personal side, too!

Takeaways:

• Try to define your job and a little about yourself in fewer words, which makes for a perfect headline.
• Test different ways of presenting yourself to potential candidates, and measure your LinkedIn performance.

LinkedIn Headline Example for Recruiters #2:

Why is this a great LinkedIn headline for recruiters?

The profile helps job seekers immediately understand what roles the recruiter is hiring for and the locations they’re offering jobs for. This helps job seekers narrow down their job hunt and make sure they're talking to the right person.

Takeaways:

• Mention the location or the skillset you’re hiring for in your headline to make it more specific.
• Follow the best practices for LinkedIn recruitment.

One Tip to Improve Your Profile Right Away!

When you look at your profile today, I'm sure you'll find room for improvement after some digging. The old way is to guess what you should change, research different topics and try to spruce it up.

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Conclusion

Finding the right wording for your LinkedIn headline can be challenging, especially if you have multiple things to reference. My best advice is to focus on what you want people to notice. Put that first and you'll keep your profile crisp. Cheers!