With more than 865 million users worldwide, LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional social network; therefore, knowing how to write a good LinkedIn summary for your profile can help you stand out and draw potential connections, employers, and customers to your page.
If you're unsure of how to Write your LinkedIn summary, these 13 tips will help you create a compelling summary that reflects your unique background and experience.
Table Of Contents
Tip 1: Make It Relevant.
When writing your LinkedIn summary, it is important to make sure that the content you put out is relevant. Your summary should give a clear picture of what you do and how you can add value to potential employers or clients.
This means that any information you include in your summary should be tailored to the job or industry you are targeting.
To ensure relevance, start by researching other professionals in your field and take note of what they have included in their summaries.
Use this as a guide for crafting your own summary, but make sure to add a personal touch that sets you apart from the competition.
Avoid using generic buzzwords or phrases without context, as this will only waste valuable real estate and will not help differentiate you from others.
Overall, making your LinkedIn summary relevant shows potential employers or clients that you are focused on delivering value specific to their needs and goals.
It also helps them understand why they should connect with you over others in the industry.
Tip 2: Keep It Short
When it comes to writing a good LinkedIn summary, keeping it short is essential. You want to make sure that you are getting your message across in as few words as possible.
Remember, most people have short attention spans and won't read through a long and wordy summary.
Keeping your summary short also allows for easier readability on mobile devices, which many people use to access LinkedIn. Aim for no more than 3-4 paragraphs or around 200-300 words.
By keeping your summary concise and to the point, you can highlight your key skills and experiences without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary information.
Use bullet points or subheadings to break up the text and make it easy for readers to scan quickly.
Tip 3: Use Keywords
Using relevant keywords in your LinkedIn summary is essential for increasing visibility and attracting potential employers or clients.
The better the match between the keywords used in your summary and what recruiters or clients are searching for, the more likely you are to appear at the top of search results.
When choosing keywords, it's important to think like your target audience and consider which words they might use when searching for someone with your skills and experience.
To choose effective keywords, start by reviewing job postings that interest you or profiles of individuals who have similar backgrounds to yours.
Make a list of common terms, industry-specific jargon, certifications, and technical skills that come up repeatedly.
Avoid keyword stuffing, which will make your summary seem unnatural and spammy. Instead, aim for a balance between using enough relevant keywords to be noticed while maintaining a natural tone.
Once you've identified your primary keywords and phrases, incorporate them strategically throughout your summary in various forms, such as bullet points or sentences.
However, don't forget about other parts of your profile - use these same relevant keywords throughout all sections, including job titles/experience descriptions, so that each section can work together cohesively towards making an outstanding LinkedIn profile!
Tip 4: Showcase Your Achievements
When writing your LinkedIn profile, it's important to showcase your achievements in order to stand out from the crowd.
This can include any awards or recognitions you've received, major projects you've completed, or specific goals you've reached.
By highlighting these accomplishments, you demonstrate your skills and abilities to potential employers or clients.
One effective way to showcase your achievements is by using quantifiable metrics. For example, instead of simply stating that you increased sales for a company, including the percentage increase and total revenue generated.
This not only adds credibility to your claims but also gives readers a better understanding of the impact you had in previous roles.
Finally, don't be afraid to share personal achievements as well. If you have volunteered for a charity organization or completed a challenging personal goal such as running a marathon, sharing these experiences can demonstrate qualities such as dedication and perseverance that are valuable in many professional settings.
Overall, showcasing your achievements is an essential component of creating an outstanding LinkedIn profile.
Tip 5: Highlight Your Unique Skills
Highlighting your unique skills in your LinkedIn summary is crucial to standing out from other professionals in your industry.
Begin by identifying what sets you apart from others in your field. Once you have a clear list of unique skills, make sure to emphasize them throughout your summary.
Instead of simply listing these skills, try incorporating real-world examples of how you’ve used them to achieve success.
This will not only make your profile more engaging but also demonstrate that you have practical experience in utilizing these abilities.
If possible, quantify the impact that these skills have had on past projects or roles.
This can help potential employers or clients understand the value that you bring to the table and differentiate yourself from other candidates with similar backgrounds.
By highlighting your unique skillset and sharing tangible examples of how they’ve contributed to past successes, you’ll set yourself apart as a qualified and accomplished professional on LinkedIn.
Tip 6: Include Contact Information
Including your contact information in your LinkedIn summary is crucial if you want potential employers or clients to be able to reach out to you. Make sure that you include at least one professional email address and a phone number where you can be reached.
If applicable, also include links to your personal website or other social media profiles.
Having this information readily available also conveys a sense of transparency and openness, which can make it easier for people to trust and work with you.
Overall, including contact information in your LinkedIn summary is a simple but important step towards building professional relationships and expanding your network.
Tip 7: Feature Testimonials & Endorsements
Potential employers and clients want to know what it's like to work with you. One of the best ways to showcase your skills, expertise, and value is by featuring testimonials and endorsements in your LinkedIn summary.
This social proof can be a powerful tool for building trust and credibility with potential connections.
When selecting which testimonials to include, look for ones that highlight specific results or outcomes that you helped achieve. This will demonstrate not only your capabilities but also the impact that you can make on an organization.
Another thing to consider is including endorsements from other professionals in your industry, as this can show that you have a strong network of colleagues who support your work.
Finally, don't just stop at including testimonials in your summary - continue to collect them throughout your career and update them regularly on your profile.
This ongoing effort will ensure that potential connections are always seeing the most current and relevant feedback about your strengths and capabilities.
Tip 8: Include Links To Your Projects & Portfolio
Including links to your projects and portfolio is an essential element of a standout LinkedIn summary.
It provides potential employers with a clear understanding of your skills, experiences, and accomplishments. By linking your work, you are also demonstrating the depth of your expertise and the quality of your work.
When including links to projects or portfolios on LinkedIn, ensure that they are relevant to the position you are seeking.
For example, if you are interested in a fashion retail job, link to a relevant project you've been involved in within this field.
Additionally, make sure that the links provided are easily accessible for recruiters and hiring managers who may not have time to navigate through multiple pages.
Lastly, don't forget to update your portfolio regularly by adding new projects or updating existing ones.
This helps showcase that you are continually growing and developing in your field of expertise.
Tip 9: Leverage The Power Of Video
Video content is becoming increasingly popular on LinkedIn, and for good reason. It’s a great way to showcase your personality and expertise in a more dynamic manner.
Whether you film yourself speaking directly to the camera or create a visually engaging animation, video provides an opportunity to connect with your audience in a deeper way than text alone.
When creating video content for your LinkedIn profile, it’s important to keep it professional while also showcasing your personality.
Make sure the lighting is good, and the audio quality is clear so that viewers can focus on your message without any distractions. Also, be sure to include captions or provide a transcript so that all viewers can understand what you are saying.
Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of video content. Perhaps you want to create a “day in the life” style vlog showcasing what it’s like working at your company, or maybe you want to share some industry insights through an animated explainer video.
Whatever type of video content you choose, make sure it aligns with your personal brand and helps communicate your unique value proposition.
Tip 10: Use Plenty Of Whitespace & Format For Readability
Whitespace is an essential design element that can increase the readability of your LinkedIn summary. Using whitespace means leaving empty spaces between paragraphs or blocks of text, making it easier for readers to scan and navigate through your profile.
What this does is it creates a visual pause that helps to break up long sections of text and prevents readers from feeling overwhelmed.
To help further enhance the readability of your summary, you should also format it properly. This means using headings, bullet points, bolding and italicizing key phrases as needed.
By doing this, you are able to create a more organized structure that guides the reader through your profile with ease.
Don't forget about the importance of font choice and size in creating a readable LinkedIn summary.
Make sure to use a font type and size that is easy on the eyes and big enough to read comfortably on different devices such as laptops or mobile phones.
With these formatting tips in mind, you can make sure your LinkedIn summary stands out among others while being easily understood by anyone who comes across it.
Tip 11: Avoid Jargon & Unprofessional Language
Using jargon and unprofessional language in your LinkedIn summary can make you seem out of touch or even untrustworthy.
While it may show off your expertise in a particular field, it can also alienate potential connections who are looking for someone professional and reliable.
To avoid these pitfalls, focus on using clear and concise language that is easy to understand by everyone. Try to explain complex concepts in simple terms so that everyone can understand what you do and how you add value to their network.
Keep in mind your tone should be professional throughout your summary – avoid slang or informal language that could come across as too casual or unprofessional.
Finally, avoid using acronyms without explanation. Instead of assuming everyone knows what an acronym stands for, spell it out once before using the abbreviated version throughout the rest of your summary.
This makes sure that anyone reading your profile understands what you are talking about while also showing them that you care about communicating effectively with them.
Tip 12: Incorporate Industry Trends, Statistics, etc.
Incorporating industry trends and statistics into your LinkedIn summary can help establish your expertise in your field.
By demonstrating an understanding of current trends and data within your industry, you show potential employers or clients that you are knowledgeable about the latest developments.
When using statistics, be sure to cite reputable sources and provide context for the numbers you're presenting. This will add credibility to your claims and make them more impactful.
You can use visuals such as charts or graphs can help illustrate your point and capture the reader's attention.
However, it's important not to rely too heavily on trends or statistics. Your LinkedIn summary should still focus primarily on showcasing your unique skills, experiences, and accomplishments.
Trends may come and go, but what sets you apart from others in your field is what will truly grab someone's attention.
Tip 13: Use A Call To Action
A call to action is a powerful tool in copywriting, as it directs the reader towards a specific action.
It's important to remember that your LinkedIn summary isn't just a place to talk about yourself but also an opportunity to invite potential connections or employers to engage with you.
Including a clear call to action at the end of your summary can encourage people to take the next step.
One effective way of doing this is by prompting readers to contact you directly, whether it be through email, scheduling a call or your direct messages.
Another approach could be asking them to check out your work or website for more information. Be sure that your call-to-action aligns with your overall goals and objectives for creating a strong LinkedIn profile.
Remember, including strategic calls-to-action throughout your profile will not only make it easier for others to reach out and connect with you, but it will also show that you are proactive and driven in building relationships within your industry.
The bottom line is that if you're looking to stand out on LinkedIn and make valuable connections, you need to create a compelling LinkedIn summary.
By Following these LinkedIn summary tips in this article, you will be well on your way to creating a summary that showcases your unique value proposition and effectively communicates your professional brand to potential employers or clients.