What Makes a LinkedIn Profile Stand Out

Don’t let your LinkedIn profile be a bore.

In the vast world of LinkedIn, where 99% of headlines are dull and forgettable, standing out is crucial. If your profile boasts generic labels like:

Digital Marketer | Social Media Marketing | SEO

Here's the reality check – you're essentially invisible on LinkedIn.

Key principles for making your profile memorable:

- Hook the Reader

Every time you post, comment, send a connection request, or send a cold DM, your headline is on display. Think of it as the ultimate hook. It’s worth investing a little time to craft a good one.

Justin Welsh does this really well.

- Start Strong

The initial 4-5 words of your headline are crucial. On desktop, your prospect will see the first 71 characters.

They are what people will see every time you post and every time you comment. The rest of your headline will be hidden until your prospect clicks through to your profile. Make those 71 characters count.

- Avoid Hyperbole

Try to exclude vague adjectives like "expert, top-performing, winning, superior, etc." because they don't quantify the value you bring to the table. The best way to showcase your skills is to include customer success stories in your summary and prior experience.

Now that you have a grasp of the principles for creating a compelling LinkedIn profile, here are three immediate steps you can take right away:

1. Share Who + What

What you offer – Highlight key services or solutions.

Your LinkedIn headline is more than a title; it's a strategic introduction to your professional identity. Provide more context on:

Who you help – Clearly define your target audience.
What you offer – Highlight key services or solutions.

2. Keep it Short and Simple

Do not stuff it with keywords – it doesn’t improve your SEO; it just looks spammy. Keep it short and crisp.

3. Use Social Proof

You’ve grabbed attention. You’ve explained exactly who you help and what you offer. How can you effectively communicate what sets you apart from everyone else offering the same service? Social proof.

A few options to show your credibility:

Your designation: Including a title shows proof of your work when done correctly.
Results you’ve generated for clients: "Generated over $10 million in revenue for B2B SaaS companies."
High-profile clients you’ve worked with: "Clients include Amazon, Snapchat, and Coca-Cola."

Here's how I've incorporated all three in my headline.