How to Write a Good LinkedIn About Section
The LinkedIn About section is the segment on your profile where you can write a few paragraphs explaining who you are, what you do, and how you help people.
It’s the section that sits above your Activity (if you’re posting to LinkedIn, this is where the content is displayed) and your Experience (a user’s list of current or prior employment).
LinkedIn allows you to display about four lines of content for people visiting your profile, but it also gives visitors the option to click and ‘…see more’.
So, what is the LinkedIn About section used for? It might seem self-explanatory because the definition is in the title. However, when it comes to a good About Section, there’s a little more to it than just writing a brief description.
Tips for Writing Your LinkedIn About Section
Share Your Unique Story
When you meet someone at a conference, you’ll often introduce yourself, and tell them who you are and what you do. Later, you might connect with them for a coffee and go into more detail about who you help and your specific area of expertise.
Think of your LinkedIn About section like the way you would introduce yourself to someone at a conference. Your LinkedIn About section is a way to connect with your audience and share your unique story.
You can use your About section to highlight specific areas of your expertise, tell a story of your journey into your current role, and explain what makes you different. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself, share your strengths, and demonstrate how you can add value to their professional network.
Understand People’s Pain Points
By understanding people’s pain points, or the pain points of your target audience, you can tell them exactly how you might be able to solve a problem for them.
For example, on my LinkedIn profile, I focus on helping people enhance their LinkedIn presence to attract the right connections and opportunities.
I have added a specific ‘How can I help you?’ section, which clearly describes what I offer and how people can benefit from my services. I’ve also included details of why I am qualified to offer this service.
This approach not only establishes credibility but also makes it easier for potential clients to understand the value you bring.
Make It Digestible
These days people are busy. By making your About section easy to read, you can quickly improve the readability of your profile. Here are a few tips.
- Clear headlines and bullet points: These make your About section easier to read and allow people to scan for relevant information.
- Use different fonts: Just as clear headlines and bullet points make your profile easier to scan, different fonts can help capture people’s eyes.
- Break down your services into categories: Breaking down your services into specific categories can help a visitor understand exactly what it is you offer.
- Include a clear call-to-action: By including a clear call-to-action and links to your contact info you can make it easier for visitors to take the next step.
It’s worthwhile mentioning that links in your About section aren’t clickable, but people can still copy and paste them if they want to know more.
Include Something Personal
I recommend including a personal story in your About section. I once had a client reach out to me via LinkedIn, and she noted that I have two Labradoodles and a three-legged cat. She suggested we catch up for coffee and that we walk the dogs at the same time.
Including a personal story in your About section helps people to get to know the person behind the brand and makes a good icebreaker.
Allowing people to connect with you on a more personal level can build a foundation of trust and rapport, making it easier to build that business relationship. After all, people like doing business with people.
Need help?
LinkedIn gives you a generous 2,600 characters to write a compelling About Section. But if you’re still stuck on what to write, I cover this in more detail in my LinkedIn Learners Lab. I also provide a template to help you get started.
Think about who might be looking at your profile, and write your About section for them. How can you help them? What things might you have in common that can help you connect? Adding that personal touch could be the point of difference that makes for an interesting talking point and ultimately breaks the ice.
Struggling to stand out on LinkedIn? A strategic approach could make all the difference. Get in touchβ―to find out how I can help you build your professional presence.
