How to Write a LinkedIn Headline That Grabs Attention (With Examples)

Your LinkedIn headline is the first thing your colleagues, recruiters, and potential employers see when visiting your profiles.

So, how can you make it count?

Learn who can see your LinkedIn headline, how to write an engaging one, and how to use AI to simplify the process.

We’ll also share common mistakes to avoid and review some of the best LinkedIn headline examples to help you make a lasting impression.

What Is a LinkedIn Headline?

A LinkedIn headline is a short description displayed just beneath your name on your LinkedIn profile. 

Limited to 220 characters, it’s one of the first things people notice when they visit your profile.

Think of it as your professional elevator pitch, as your LinkedIn headline is your first opportunity to tell your profile viewers:

• Who you are
• What you do
• What value do you offer

Where does LinkedIn display your headline?

Besides your profile, people can see your LinkedIn headline in the:

• LinkedIn feed
• Search results
• Comments section
• Profile recommendations
• LinkedIn InMails

In short, your LinkedIn headline tells people what you do whenever your name appears on LinkedIn. 

How to Write the Best LinkedIn Headline

Stand out from the crowd and set the tone for your professional brand with an engaging LinkedIn headline. 

Here’s how to write a headline that works:

1. Add Your Current Job Title and Industry

Let people know what you’re doing right from the start. 

Highlight your expertise by including your job title and level of experience. You can add titles such as Director or Senior or state your years of experience. 

Examples:

• Senior Graphic Designer
• Sales Representative With 10 Years of Experience
• Head of Content Writing 

2. Include Your Key Skills

Help others understand what you’re best at and what value you can provide by adding your area of expertise or main skills. 
Focus on the most relevant skills in your industry or the roles you’re targeting. 

Examples: 

• Data Analyst | Proficient in Python
• Marketing Specialist | Knowledgeable in Social Media Strategy
• HR Manager | Skilled in Talent Acquisition and Employee Engagement

3. Add Your Unique Value Proposition

What sets you apart from your competitors?

Your unique value proposition is why LinkedIn members want to connect, follow, or hire you. 

Describe how you add value to your current job title or clients. Use your LinkedIn headline to highlight how you make an impact through an innovative approach or unique perspective.

If possible, include your unique value proposition as a measurable accomplishment. This is a great way to demonstrate your ability to deliver results within your industry. 

Example: 

• Sales Manager | Increased Regional Sales by 35% in One Year
• Content Marketing Specialist | Driving 5M+ Annual Website Visits Through SEO
• Operations Director | Cut Costs by 20%

You can still write a value-driven LinkedIn headline without quantifying your achievements. Highlight how your unique approach benefits your company or clients

Examples:

• Customer Success Specialist | Building Loyal Client Relationships Through Tailored Support
• Product Designer | Creating Intuitive, User-Centric Experiences

4. Add a Personal Touch

Make your LinkedIn headline more relatable by mentioning a personal passion,career goal, or a unique twist that reflects who you are.

Example:

• Sales Manager | Tech Enthusiast
• Content Marketing Specialist | AI Innovator
• Operations Director | Passionate About Making Machines Smarter & Lives Easier

5. Add Relevant Keywords

Improve your LinkedIn SEO by adding relevant keywords to your LinkedIn headline. Include your current job titles, industry-specific terms, and key skills that fit the roles or connections you’re targeting. 

Bonus Tip: Regularly Update

Your LinkedIn headline should reflect your career changes.

Update your LinkedIn headline as you gain new skills, change roles, or achieve new career milestones. 

An outdated outline might give the impression that your LinkedIn profile is inactive or that you’re not focusing on advancing your career. 

How long should your LinkedIn headline be?

Your LinkedIn headline can have up to 220 characters. But should you use them all?

For example, this is a 217-character headline

Marketing Manager | Expert in SEO, Content Strategy & Brand Growth | Driving 3x ROI for E-Commerce Brands | Passionate Storyteller | Helping Businesses Connect & Thrive in Digital Spaces | Open to Speaking Engagements

And this is how it looks on LinkedIn:

Don’t clutter your LinkedIn headline with your skills, achievements, and passions. This will affect its readability and make it harder for recruiters and potential connections to quickly understand your core skills and experience. 

Keyword spamming can also appear spammy and unprofessional, damaging your credibility. LinkedIn’s algorithm might penalize a keyword-stuffed headline and make it harder for people to find your profile. 

A shorter LinkedIn headline can still highlight your skills and experience.

So, how can you write an optimized LinkedIn headline?

How to Write Your LinkedIn Headline With AI

The easiest way to write the best LinkedIn headline? Have AI write it for you. 

Besides saving time, Taplio’s free headline generator adds relevant keywords, generates variations you may not think of, and minimizes errors.

Avoid These Mistakes When Writing Your LinkedIn Headline

A poorly written LinkedIn headline can damage your professional reputation and make you lost in the crowd. Here are the most common LinkedIn Headline mistakes you should avoid: 

1. Not Adding Enough Info

Listing your current job title doesn’t tell much about your experience, unique skills, accomplishments, or what makes you stand out in your field. 

2. Keyword Stuffing

Adding too many keywords to your LinkedIn headline will give recruiters or potential employers a sense of desperation.

Instead of adding every skill and certification to your headline, use your LinkedIn summary to show your unique value. 

3. Not Providing Value

What are people gaining from interacting with you? Use your LinkedIn headline to highlight what you offer, whether it’s solving a problem, driving results, or sharing industry insights. 

4. Being Vague

Without specificity, your headline won’t grab attention. Clearly describe your job title and expertise. You can also add a personal touch to make it more memorable. 

5. Using the Wrong Tone

Keep your profile relevant to your target audience by using a tone that aligns with your professional goals and your industry. 

Also, avoid generic language and use strong, active verbs.

Why Should Optimize Your LinkedIn Headline?

• Leave a positive first impression. Your LinkedIn headline is one of the first things people see when they come across your profile. Make a strong first impression and grab their attention.
  
• Professional branding. Your LinkedIn headline is an essential component of your professional branding. It shapes how others perceive you in your industry and can influence opportunities for career advancement, collaborations, or business partnerships.
  
• Improves searchability. Recruiters or potential business partners search for specific skills or roles. A well-written headline increases the likelihood of your profile being in the top results.
  
• It helps you stand out. A powerful headline enables you to highlight what differentiates you from others in your field, whether it’s your skills, achievements, or professional passions.
  
• Networking opportunities. A clear and descriptive headline makes it easier for others to understand how you can provide them with valuable info and opportunities.
  
• Create career opportunities. A well-targeted headline can attract job and freelance offers by clearly outlining your current roles and what you can bring to potential employers or clients.
  

Best LinkedIn Headline Examples

Still wondering how to come up with the best LinkedIn headline? Here are some of the best LinkedIn headline practices to inspire you:

 1. Inspire and Engage

Building my one-person business to $10M in revenue and sharing everything I learn along the way.

Justin Welsh’s headline combines authenticity, ambition, and value. He openly shares his goal of building a one-person business and promises to share everything.

2. Offer a Valuable Resource

Get my free LinkedIn course ↓ Once you subscribe to my newsletter, I’ll send you a 1-hour video and 67 viral post templates. Hit the “View my newsletter” button below to get it before I turn it into a paid product.

Charles Miller’s LinkedIn headline is effective because it communicates a valuable offer. It promotes a free LinkedIn course with a clear benefit: the one-hour video and 67 viral post templates.

Also, he makes it easy for visitors to engage by telling them where to click.

3. Let People Know You’re Hiring

CEO of Acquisition.com // We are HIRING at Acquisition.com/careers

Leila establishes authority and credibility by stating her role as the CEO of Acquisition.com. The hiring mention creates a sense of opportunity and urgency for job seekers.

4. Combine Credibility and Community

Founder of The Copy Posse | 🔥350K on YouTube | 💜 Join our Empathy Empire

Alex Cattoni’s LinkedIn headline works because it blends authority, influence, and connection.

As the founder of The Copy Posse she establishes leadership and expertise. Highlighting 350K followers on YouTube provides impressive social proof, instantly building trust.

5. Add a CTA

CMO @lemlist | Follow for real B2B Marketing Insights from the Tech Trenches

Domitille’s headline is effective due to its clarity and compelling call to action. 

It highlights her professional expertise and communicates the value LinkedIn members can gain from following her.

6. Sync Your LinkedIn Headline With Business Events

Get my Black Friday Offer NOW

Lara Acosta synced her LinkedIn headline with Black Friday, turning it into a powerful call to action. 

This approach works when you want to grab your profile visitors’ attention and drive engagement.

7. Make It Memorable

“she’s the marketing roxstar” | Head of Marketing @ lemlist | click FOLLOW to save hours of Marketing, Copywriting and Branding research”

Roxana’s headline quickly catches attention with the phrase “She’s the marketing rockstar.” The catchy and confident tone also highlights a unique personal brand.

Wrapping It Up!

Your LinkedIn headline can help you stand out from the crowd. Highlight your skills and clearly state what people get from interacting with you. 

Avoid keyword stuffing and only include the ones that will attract the right audience. 

To simplify the process, you can use Taplio’s free headline generator to quickly create a professional and effective LinkedIn headline.