LinkedIn has changed the way we describe our work experience and how we position ourselves on the global job market. Still, many people treat their LinkedIn profile as if they were writing a traditional CV. But there are better ways to write a good profile summary and highlight your experience.
In this guide, we’ll cover…
- Why the summary section is so important.
- How to structure your summary section.
- The different elements that go into it.
- How to compel the reader to take action.
Why is your LinkedIn summary important?
Your LinkedIn summary is not just a CV but also a portfolio and a lead generation tool. If you neglect this part of your profile then you could miss out on valuable business opportunities.
A good LinkedIn summary will make it easier to…
- Show off your skills and achievements.
- Network with like minded entrepreneurs.
- Position yourself as an expert in your field.
- Find with business partners to collaborate with.
- Build brand awareness and market your company.
The summary section of your LinkedIn profile is arguable the most important one because it shows off your personality and give people an idea of what you’re like to work with.
The basic structure of a LinkedIn summary
You have 2,000 characters at your disposal to craft a compelling LinkedIn summary. It should take the reader on a journey into your career and leave them inspired or at least interested.
Here is the basic structure of a LinkedIn summary:
- Introduction – grab the reader’s attention and make them want to read the rest.
- Body – Tell a story that describes your professional experience and achievements.
- Call-to-action – End the summary by encouraging the reader to get in touch.
We’ll break down each section into smaller components to make sure we hit all the bases and produce the best possible summary section for your profile.
How to write a LinkedIn summary
Now that you know the basic structure of what your summary should look like, it’s time to look at the granular stuff. Here’s a step by step guide on how to write a compelling LinkedIn summary.
1. Know your audience
The first thing you should think about is your target audience. Who will read your summary? What are they looking for? How can you help them? Keep the reader in mind when you write.
2. Know your goal
Once you know the audience, you should think about your goal. What do you want the reader to take away from your summary? Which actions do you want them to take after reading it?
3. Research keywords
The keywords you use for your profile will determine which searches you’ll appear in on LinkedIn. Make sure you use keywords that are relevant to your industry so you don’t miss out.
4. Keep it brief
Most people will scan your profile and won’t have time to read a long essay. Keep it short and sweet so you respect their time but still manage to get your main selling points across.
5. Use first person
Treat your profile as if you were to introduce yourself and what you do in person at a networking meeting. Use first person and keep the writing conversational and friendly.
6. Find a hook
Just like your headline, the first few lines of your summary needs to hook the reader in. Start with a short and punchy sentence that describes you or an interesting fact about your industry.
7. Outline your experience
Once the reader is hooked in, it’s time to describe what you’ve done and what you’re good at. Just hit the highlights and most important selling points and leave the details for later on.
8. Highlight your achievements
Experience and skillset is all well and good, but most people care more about tangible results. If you’ve raised a client’s ROI by 30% then make sure to include it in your summary.
9. Create a narrative
Tell a story about how you got started and what piqued your interest in your job. Describe what drives your work and take the reader on a journey through your career with little anecdotes.
10. Be human
It’s not always strictly business, so don’t be afraid to include facts about your hobbies and other non-work related interests. People buy people and not products, so create a human connection.
11. Describe the future
End your story with your predictions about the future. Where do you see the industry going? What part do you see yourself playing in those developments? How will the reader fit into it?
12. Make an offer
Remember the goal we covered earlier? Now is the time to make your value proposition to the reader. They know who you are and why you do what you do. Now what can you offer them?
13. Include a CTA
The last part of your summary should be a strong call-to-action. The reader knows everything they need to know except for what to do not. Visit your website? Send you an InMail?
Ready to write your summary?
You should now have a good idea of how to write a good LinkedIn summary section for your profile.
Here’s a quick recap:
- Know your audience and goal.
- Keep it short and sweet.
- Hook the reader in right away.
- Create a story around your career.
- Make and offer and use a CTA.
If you want us to help you spin up an instant winning LinkedIn Summary, head over to our LinkedIn Profile Builder Tool which will do the hard work for you!
