Your LinkedIn Headline: Make It Work Harder for You

Let’s be honest - most people waste the single most powerful line on their LinkedIn profile: the headline.

Too many settle for the default: Job Title at Company. Technically correct? Sure. Memorable? Not even close.

Your headline isn’t just a label - it’s prime real estate. It’s the first thing people see in searches, comments, DMs, and connection requests. If you’re serious about being seen as a go-to expert, it needs to work a lot harder for you.

First, What’s a Good Headline Actually For?

Your headline should do three things:
✅ Tell people what you do.
✅ Show how you add value.
✅ Hint at what makes you different.

Think of it as your positioning statement - short, sharp, and impossible to ignore.

The Mistake Most Professionals Make

The biggest mistake? Using your headline like a name badge. Senior Account Manager means nothing if I don’t know what you solve or who you help.

Remember: people don’t hire job titles - they hire outcomes.

How to Make Yours Work Harder

1️⃣ Be Clear, Not Cute
Clarity beats cleverness. If your family or a new client wouldn’t immediately ‘get it’, rewrite it.

💡 Instead of: Marketing Ninja
✅ Try: Helping Small Businesses Grow with Smart Digital Marketing

2️⃣ Add Who You Help and How
Turn your headline into a mini value prop. For example:
👉 I help CEOs communicate complex ideas clearly and confidently.
👉 Empowering HR leaders to build happier, high-performing teams.

3️⃣ Include Keywords (But Don’t Stuff Them)
Think about what your ideal audience would type into LinkedIn if they needed you. Weave in relevant keywords naturally - no keyword salad, please.

4️⃣ Make It Yours
Show a bit of personality. Are you a challenger? A champion for change? A calm advisor? Pick words that feel like you.

Quick Wins to Try Today

• Swap Job Title at Company for a line that explains your value.

• Use action words: Helping, Building, Empowering, Solving.

• Keep it to 220 characters - enough space, not endless waffle.

• Check it on mobile - does it cut off awkwardly? Adjust.

Final Thought

A strong headline isn’t about bragging - it’s about positioning. It answers the silent question every visitor has: Why should I connect with you?

So, does yours answer it?

If not, let’s fix it. Book a 1:1 LinkedIn Strategy Session with me or a LinkedIn Masterclass for your team. Together, we’ll turn your headline (and the rest of your profile) into a magnet for the right people and opportunities.

✨ Your next client or role is reading it right now - make every word count.

LinkedIn Isn’t Your Resume - It’s Your Reputation

Here’s a little reminder for busy professionals: your profile isn’t a list of past jobs - it’s your professional reputation on display for the world to see.

A static resume tells people what you’ve done. A strong LinkedIn presence shows who you are, what you stand for, and why you’re worth listening to. And trust me - THIS difference is exactly what sets the go-to experts apart from everyone else.

It’s Not About Ticking Boxes

A lot of people think: “I’ll update my profile picture, add my job title, copy-paste my duties, and tick - done.” But that’s just scratching the surface.

Today, people want stories, not dot points. They want to know what drives you. They want to see how you think. They want proof that you’re actively shaping your industry - not just passively working in it.

How to Show, Not Just Tell

So, what does this mean in practice?

1️⃣ Craft a Headline That Says More
Your headline shouldn’t just be your job title - it’s your digital handshake. Make it clear how you help, what you believe in, or what you stand for.

2️⃣ Write a Summary That Sounds Like You
Your ‘About’ section is your chance to tell your professional story - the why behind the what. Avoid jargon. Use real language. Let people hear your voice.

3️⃣ Share Content That Proves It
Don’t just have a great profile - show up. Post insights. Share behind-the-scenes lessons. Celebrate wins (and lessons learned from the losses, too). When you show up consistently, you become the person others think of first.

4️⃣ Engage Like a Human
Your network wants to connect with you, not a robot. Comment thoughtfully, join conversations, and don’t be afraid to have an opinion - it’s the fastest way to build genuine credibility.

Your Reputation Deserves More

Your next opportunity probably won’t come from a cold application - it’ll come from someone who already knows who you are because of how you show up online.

So, the question is: What’s your LinkedIn saying about you right now?

If the answer is “not much”… don’t stress. That’s where we come in.

Book a 1:1 strategy session with me and let’s transform your LinkedIn from a static resume into a living, breathing showcase of the expert you are - and the leader you’re becoming.

✨ Because your reputation is far too important to be left on autopilot.