How to Write a LinkedIn Summary That Makes People Want to Follow You

Your LinkedIn summary is often the first real glimpse someone gets of you. It can spark interest, start conversations, and even open doors.

Think of it as your personal intro. It’s the space where you talk about your work, your wins, your skills—and who you are behind the job titles.

In this guide, you’ll find what makes a summary worth reading, how to build yours from scratch, and a tool that helps you do it faster and easier.

What’s a LinkedIn Summary, Anyway?

It’s the “About” section on your LinkedIn profile. But instead of listing your job titles, it’s your chance to tell your story. You can share what you’ve done, what you’re good at, and what makes you, you.

The character limit is 2,000—roughly 300 to 500 words. That’s plenty of space to go beyond your resume and make a real connection with whoever’s reading. But don’t waste it on bullet points. A great summary feels like a conversation, not a list.

What Makes a Great LinkedIn Summary?

Your summary is your pitch. A short, sharp intro to who you are, what you do, and why someone should care. Here are four things to focus on:

1. Hook them early

LinkedIn shows only the first few lines before readers need to click “see more.” That’s why your opening matters most.

You need a hook that makes someone want to keep reading. Try a quick story. Share what drives you. Point out something you’re proud of. Speak directly to2. the reader. Just avoid vague phrases or fluff that says nothing.

2. Keep it personal and story-driven

Your summary should feel like a story. Not a bullet-point list. Tell it in your own voice—use “I.” It helps people connect with you and see your personality.

Think about how you’d describe your journey to a friend. That’s the tone you want.

3. Add keywords naturally

Don’t overthink SEO—but be smart. Mention skills and tools you actually use. Whether that’s coding languages, marketing platforms, or design software, those words help your profile get found.

Just work them in where they make sense. No need to stuff them in.

4. Make it easy to read

People skim. So don’t write a wall of text.

Use short paragraphs. Add white space. Break things up. If you list a few achievements or skills, use bullets. And if it fits your tone, a light emoji or two can work.

Try the LinkedIn Summary Generator

Short on time? Here’s how to get help writing your summary in minutes:

• Fill in what you do, who you help, your goals, and your tone.
• Click “generate.”
• Copy and tweak your new summary right on your profile.

6 Ways to Make Your LinkedIn Summary Better

The best summaries feel real. They tell your story. They show why you care about your work and what kind of work fires you up. Here’s how to make sure yours does just that:

1. Start with something personal

Begin with a line that gets attention. Say what drives you. What got you into your work? What do you enjoy most about it?

That small personal detail makes a big difference. It makes people care.

2. Share your background

Once you’ve opened up, give a quick view of your journey. Whether you’ve stayed in one field or changed paths, tell the story behind those choices. Show how you got to where you are.

If you started with a personal anecdote, now’s the time to tie it back to your career.

3. Talk about your current role

Now give a peek into your day-to-day. What do you focus on? What have you achieved? You’re not writing a job description — just share what your work looks like and why it matters to you.

If you’re between roles, talk about what you’re looking for next and why.

4. Show what you’ve achieved

Use numbers or results when you can. How did your work make a difference? What are you proud of?

Concrete wins make your summary more than just words. They build trust.

5. Mention your skills

Talk about what makes you good at what you do. Your hard skills, tools, talents. You can weave them into your story or list them at the end.

Don’t forget to include a few personal interests, too—it helps people see the person behind the profile.

6. End with a clear next step

Wrap up with what you’re open to. Are you looking for a new role? Excited to work with clients? Open to chats with people in your space?

Add a simple call to action. Something like, “Let’s connect” or “Reach out if you’re into [shared interest].”

And that’s it.

Your LinkedIn profile is now fully optimized for anyone visiting to instantly see why they should follow you.

Now it’s time to start writing posts that get people to notice you.
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