Writing LinkedIn Profiles

I have an unpopular opinion, but hear me out first. Your LinkedIn headline is hurting your ability to get a job. When I look at connection requests, I see things like: ➡️Aspiring project manager ➡️Finance enthusiast ➡️Aspiring data analyst Look, I understand you're trying to be direct and honest about where you are in your career journey, but this may be hurting you. Consider this scenario: Noah is a hiring manager searching LinkedIn for prospective new hires. He runs a search on the keyword 'project manager' and gets a list of profile with those words. Then he starts reading the most visible part of each profile (the headline) as a first criteria to make the list leaner. If you were Noah, would you shortlist a headline that says "Project manager" or one that reads "Aspiring project manager"? I'd like your answer in the comment, please. 💡Here's my proposal: 📌 Your headline should contain keywords for what you want to be found and known for. This site is as much a social network as it is a recruitment ground and search engine. That means you have to present yourself in a manner that makes you a viable candidate and an interesting person. 📌 Write who you will become not who you're becoming. If you want a role as project manager, as long as you are actively learning and putting in the work to become an excellent one, then you are permitted to have "Project manager" written, without the word "Aspiring". 📌 It's the one place you can pitch yourself. And this is why I believe you are disqualifying yourself from tbe game before you have a chance to play. Pitch the promise. Talk about what you can and will do in as few words as you can. Pile on the most important information you want a profile surfer to see. Have you ever seen entrepreneurs who are pitching in the Dragon's Den call themselves aspiring entrepreneurs, even when it's their first real foray into business? No? Then why do that to yourself? You are a professional, not an aspiring one and not an enthusiast. You have skills that are valuable, even when you're trying to switch careers. You are a whole person bringing value to the table. Stop short-selling yourself.

Are you looking to make your LinkedIn profile stand out? Your headline is your first impression—make it count! 1. Be Clear and Specific Clearly state what you do and what you offer. Avoid vague terms like "Consultant" or "Manager." Try something like "Digital Marketing Specialist Helping Brands Grow Online." 2. Highlight Your Unique Value What sets you apart? Showcase your unique value. For example, "Award-Winning Graphic Designer Creating Visuals That Tell a Story." 3. Use Keywords Think about the keywords recruiters or clients might use. Incorporate these naturally, like "SEO Expert Specializing in E-commerce Websites." 4. Show Your Personality Let your personality shine through. A memorable profile stands out. For instance, "Tech Enthusiast and Coding Ninja Making Websites Work Like Magic." 5. Include Your Achievements If you have notable achievements, include them. This adds credibility. For example, "Top 100 Content Creator with 50K+ Followers on LinkedIn." Examples: "Marketing Strategist Driving 10x ROI for SaaS Companies" "Cybersecurity Expert Protecting Businesses from Digital Threats" "Freelance Writer Crafting Engaging Content for Tech Blogs" "Project Manager | PMP Certified | Delivering Projects On Time and Under Budget" "Creative Director | Helping Brands Tell Their Story Visually" Your LinkedIn headline is your digital business card. Make it impactful, review it regularly, and ensure it reflects your current role and goals. Ready to elevate your LinkedIn presence? 🤔 Start by crafting a headline that showcases your strengths and attracts the right opportunities. #LinkedInTips #ProfileOptimization #CareerGrowth

“𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝗜 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻?” 𝗔 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸. Because I’ve been there. I remember when my content was a mess - random topics, no strategy, zero traction. But once I figured out what actually works, things exploded. Here’s exactly how I turned it around, 5 simple steps that helped me grow fast and build credibility: 𝟭. 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗮 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗶𝘁 I used to talk about everything. That got me nowhere. Once I doubled down on personal branding and social media strategy, my audience knew exactly why to follow me. 𝟮. 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵, 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 People crave practical value. When I shifted to actionable LinkedIn tips and how-tos, the engagement skyrocketed. Help people solve problems, that’s how you earn trust. 𝟯. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 Data is cool, but stories connect. The moment I started sharing my own wins, fails, and lessons learned, people paid attention. Realness > Perfection. 𝟰. 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰 Vague content attracts vague followers. I started tailoring my content specifically to my ideal clients. Result? More DMs. Better conversations. Right-fit leads. 𝟱. 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝗽 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 Consistency is underrated. I built a content calendar and stuck to it, rain or shine. Regular posts kept me visible, credible, and top-of-mind. 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗶𝗽: Be human Comment. Collaborate. Start conversations. Being an authority isn’t about shouting louder, it’s about building relationships that last. Becoming an authority takes time, but if you stay focused, add value, and show up consistently, the results will come. What’s your biggest challenge on LinkedIn right now? 𝗔𝗹𝘀𝗼, 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟱𝟱 /𝟯𝟱𝟬. 𝗣.𝗦. 𝗜 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀, 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗖𝗫𝗢𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁. 𝗗𝗠 𝗺𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻

Executives don’t want the full story. They want the "get to the point and tell me why it matters" version. I learned this the hard way in my early days in corporate strategy. I once walked a GM through a 23 slide deck, only for him to ask: "So what decision are you recommending?" Brutal. 🤯 Here’s a simple 4-step framework I teach corporate teams to make sure execs actually listen: 𝟭. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲. Literally, open with the answer. Say: 'We recommend X because of Y.' Let them stop you if they want context. But don’t bury your point on slide 15. 𝟮. 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲. If your exec thinks in quarters, don’t talk in days. Match their level of detail. Don’t make them reframe your data into something that actually matters at their level. 𝟯. 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁. One or two charts with powerful takeaways can often be more effective than a detailed slide deck with 28 charts and no points. You can always drop additional details in an appendix. 𝟰. 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮. Executives don’t want non-committal reporting. They want recommendations. Don't just give them the data, give them your perspective: 'There are 2 options: A and B. We recommend B because it’s 30% faster with less risk.' Find this tip useful? Please give this a like 👍 or repost ♻️ to help others and follow me Daniel Galletta for more tips like these.

If you are not building your brand on LinkedIn, you’re leaving opportunities on the table.‬ Curious about the best way to grow on LinkedIn? I ran an experiment, and here’s what I‬ learned.‬ ‭ LinkedIn is the ultimate platform for personal branding. Whether you're a professional,‬ entrepreneur, or just looking to expand your network, here's why it's the most powerful tool you‬ can use:‬ ‭ 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞 1: 𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞‬ ‭On LinkedIn, 95% of decision-makers—CEOs, hiring managers,‬ and industry leaders—are actively engaging with content.‬ ‭ Here’s your‬ Chance to get in front of the right people,‬ the ones who can actually impact your career or business.‬ ‭ 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞 2: 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲‬ ‭ ‭LinkedIn gives you 3x more organic reach than other platforms.‬ ‭No need for ads—just post consistently, and LinkedIn’s algorithm will do the rest.‬ ‭Quality content spreads on its own.‬ ‭ 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞 3: 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲‬ ‭ Gaining authority is hard when people are bombarded with information every day.‬ ‭How do you stand out and get people to trust you?‬ ‭On LinkedIn, every piece of content you create—whether it's a post, article,‬ or a case study—positions you as a thought leader.‬ ‭You’re not just posting for fun; you're building real credibility in your industry.‬ ‭ 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞 4: 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠‬ ‭ ‭On LinkedIn, every connection can be an opportunity.‬ ‭From job offers to partnerships, the people you network with‬ here are focused on real-world outcomes.‬ ‭You build relationships that matter.‬ ‭My Experiment Results:‬ ‭ I tested 3 different strategies on LinkedIn, and here’s what worked best:‬ ‭ 📌 Post Consistently:‬‭ 2-3 high-value posts per week drove the most engagement and visibility.‬ ‭ 📌 Engage Regularly:‬‭ Commenting, joining discussions, and sending personalized messages‬ ‭ increased my network visibility significantly.‬ ‭📌 Mix Content Types:‬‭ Combining industry insights with personal stories helped build trust and‬ relatability faster than just one type of content.‬ ‭Ready to stop leaving opportunities on the table?‬ If you’re serious about building a powerful personal brand,‬ expanding your network, and gaining real credibility— join LinkedIn 7 days growth challenge. Don’t just watch others grow,‭ take action today and make LinkedIn work for you!‬ #linkedinmarketing #linkedintips

My Views Dropped. But My Inbound Leads Increased by 50% Last Week. 🤯 Most people chase vanity metrics on LinkedIn. More likes. More comments. More reach. But let me ask you this: Would you rather have 500 likes or 5 clients? Last week, my post reach dropped. Fewer impressions. Fewer reactions. But my inbound leads? Shot up by 50%. Why? Because I focused on content that actually converts. If you’re building a brand on LinkedIn, here’s what works (beyond just ‘good engagement’): 1. Storytelling posts that build trust Your journey, failures, behind-the-scenes lessons. People relate to people, not polished ads. 2. Insight-driven posts that position you as an expert Your industry observations, unpopular takes, and opinions that make people think. Not just information, perspective. 3. Problem-aware content that speaks directly to your audience’s struggles Posts that make them say: “This is exactly what I’m facing.” When they feel understood, they trust you to have the solution. 4. Proof posts (aka testimonials, client wins, case studies) Your results build credibility. Show, don’t tell. Screenshots > Claims. 5. Conversation-starting posts that build relationships Thought-provoking questions, hot takes, or relatable struggles. Good content attracts. Great content starts conversations. Not every post needs to go viral. But every post should have a purpose. Would you rather chase views or clients? If you’re ready to build a content strategy that brings in leads, not just likes, DM me BRAND and I’ll help you with that.

No Recommendations on LinkedIn? Here’s How I Changed That! I remember when I first set up my LinkedIn profile. I had no recommendations or testimonials, but I had just started my business and was ready to start connecting and getting to know others on the platform. But my credibility was key. I wanted to share testimonials and case studies of people I had helped on social media. I wanted to showcase the results we’d achieved! So, I went on a mission. Here’s what we did to build up my recommendations: ONE ↳ Make a List: We went back over the last six months of clients and projects we had worked on. This can be pulled from your CRM or invoicing software, whatever system you use to track clients. TWO ↳ Connect on LinkedIn: We connected with them on LinkedIn, adding a personalised note with the invite, saying how great it had been to work with them. THREE ↳ Engage with their posts: Before sending the recommendation request, we started engaging with their posts, showing support and staying visible. FOUR ↳ Sent a Recommendation request: After some engagement, we sent a friendly recommendation request, asking them if they’d be happy to share their experience of working with us. FIVE ↳ Make it visible: Once the recommendations came in, we displayed them on my profile and created content to share on other platforms too! And guess what? It works! Gaining recommendations is a fantastic way to build credibility and thought leadership on LinkedIn. Not only do we showcase these testimonials on my profile, but we also use them in proposals to potential clients. The best part? Potential clients can see exactly who the recommendation is from, view their profile, and even reach out to them if they wish. Do you have recommendations on your LinkedIn profile? Or are you ready to implement the above strategy? Now, every time we work with someone, we always connect via LinkedIn and send a recommendation request shortly after. Build your reviews, showcase your value, and strengthen your credibility! To your successes, Zoe ____________ Loved this post? 💜 Then my free newsletter is for you! get one powerful tip every week to elevate your speaking career and establish yourself as a thought leader. Plus, as a special bonus: You’ll receive my exclusive guide, How to Use LinkedIn to Secure More Speaking Engagements (a $199 value) absolutely free. Join 1000+ thought leaders here: see the link in the first comment below 👇🏻

“insightful” and “curious” reactions now matter more than likes on LinkedIn. That’s straight from their own spring algorithm update. Comments, thoughtful replies, and meaningful interactions now drive reach—while passive metrics like likes or impressions are being quietly deprioritized. But that’s only half the story. According to LinkedIn’s Head of News, the platform is also heavily favoring timely, news-driven content. Think: hot takes, fast POVs, story-driven posts tied to current headlines. In short, LinkedIn is trying to become the new home for real-time conversation—filling the gap left by Twitter (X). Those two signals—depth vs. speed—feel contradictory. And yet they’re both true. Here’s my theory: LinkedIn isn’t confused. It’s running multiple plays at once—because different teams have different KPIs. The News team wants immediacy and trend velocity. The Engagement team wants time-on-platform and quality conversation. The Trust team wants credible, topic-aligned expertise. The Design team wants minimalist, professional posts (no emojis, no hashtags, no clickbait aesthetics). If you’ve ever felt like LinkedIn’s “best practices” contradict each other—this is why. And it’s exactly why you and your brand need to adapt across multiple fronts: What’s Working Right Now: 1) Timely POVs. Posts that react to real-world news and industry trends get fast distribution—especially in verticals where trust is key and conversation is happening in the moment. 2) Topic Authority. LinkedIn’s system now elevates content from users it associates with specific expertise. Consistency in what you talk about matters more than ever. 3) Meaningful Interactions. “Insightful” and “Curious” reactions carry significantly more algorithmic weight than a like. Thoughtful comment threads are the new currency of reach. 4) Longer Shelf Life for High-Quality Posts. Good content doesn’t just peak and die anymore. If it performs well, it can resurface weeks or even months later through the “Suggested for You” feature. 5) Native > External. Posts that simply link out or repost without commentary are downranked. Originality, context, and adding your take are table stakes now. 6) Video + Substance. Short, vertical, subtitled videos (30–90 seconds) perform best when paired with a full multi-paragraph text post. The format is evolving, not replacing. So what do you do with all this? Stop trying to reverse-engineer one tidy strategy. You’re not optimizing for a single algorithm—you’re navigating a platform with layered incentives and competing internal agendas. Instead, play multi-dimensional content chess: Mix formats: short, long, video, reposts Balance immediacy with depth Build topic authority over time Engineer conversations, not just visibility Relevance isn’t static. And on LinkedIn in 2025, movement is the strategy. Curious—have you seen a shift in your own content performance lately?

I stare at the video screen in frustration. "Anna, you have a habit of telling two things in your stories. To tell an impactful story, you need to focus on one point. One story, one point," my storytelling coach, Matt, says. Matt is one of the best storytellers in the US. "Look at it this way: You can use the same story but craft it differently to make another point," he says. "That’s the beauty of storytelling." When I started my adventure in storytelling, I wanted my stories to convey multiple points. But I've learned that to tell my story with impact, I had to choose one message. We all have stories to tell, but finding the core message can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. If you've ever struggled with pinpointing the main theme of your narrative, you're not alone. Here are three techniques to help you uncover the heart of your story: 1. Begin with the End in Mind. Think about the impact you want your story to have on your audience. What do you want them to take away from it? By envisioning the result, you can work backwards to identify the key message to drive your story forward. Example: if you want your audience to feel inspired by your resilience, your core message might revolve around overcoming adversity. 2. Identify the Turning Points. Look for pivotal moments in your story where a significant change or realization occurred. These turning points often highlight the essence of your narrative and can help you zero in on the core message. Example: If a turning point in your career was realizing your passion for storytelling, your core message might be about the power of following your true calling. 3. Ask Yourself 'Why?' Repeatedly. Continuously asking "why" about different aspects of your story can peel back the layers and reveal the underlying message. This technique, often called the "Five Whys," helps you dig deeper into the reasons behind your experiences and actions. Example: Why did you start your own business? To have more control over your work. Why did you want more control? To pursue your creative ideas freely. Why is pursuing creativity important to you? Because it leads to innovation and fulfilment. Hence, your core message might be about the importance of creative freedom in achieving personal and professional satisfaction. Finding the core message in your story is about understanding the impact you want to create, identifying pivotal moments, and continuously questioning your motives. These techniques will help you craft a compelling narrative that resonates with your audience. P.S. What's the core message of your latest story? Share below, I'd love to hear it. - Hi, I’m Anna Ong. I am the creator and host of What's Your Story Slam, an event similar to stand-up comedy, but instead of jokes, people tell stories. Our events provide a platform for people to connect and inspire each other through storytelling. Keen to learn more? DM me, and let's chat!

If you happen to find yourself with some spare time, here is one simple thing you can do on LI to advance yourself and your brand. 💡Update your headline. I'll give you a little sneak peek into our new LinkedIn Profile Playbook here: Keep in mind that this headline appears under your name when you comment on posts, when you post, when you send a connection request, when your name appears as a suggested contact, and so on. This is your mini summary of who you are, so ask yourself: does it tease a story someone wants to know more about, or does it do the opposite (eg, “I’m a salesperson!” “I’m a partner at this law firm!”) with vague or salesy language? If you are in a high-level leadership role, start with your title + company. If not, skip the title and move to the next step. Come up with 3 words or phrases that summarize you as a professional. Example: Modernizing GTM for start-ups Marketing expert Ex-LinkedIn Now, add 2 words or phrases that summarize your interests or showcase your personality outside of the office. Example: Wannabe Ultra Marathon Runner Rescue Cat Owner  True Crime Podcast Addict Dog Mom And yes, not only is it perfectly fine to be a little personal here, but it’s a great way to differentiate and humanize yourself. Final Product: Samuel Smith - Modernizing GTM for start-ups / Marketing expert / Ex-LinkedIn / Wannabe Ultra Marathon Runner / Rescue Dog Dad