How to Write a LinkedIn Summary That Gets You Noticed

Your LinkedIn summary isn’t just filler. It’s your pitch. Your handshake. Your "hey, this is why I’m worth your time." People decide in seconds whether they want to scroll more or click away. If your summary is flat or sounds like a job application from 2006, they’re gone.

Good news? You don’t need to be a word wizard. You just need the right formula.

The Formula for a Great LinkedIn Summary

Start Strong: The Hook

Begin with a line that makes people stop. It could be a short story, a bold claim, or a simple truth.

• "I never thought a mistake on a Tuesday would land me 3 clients by Friday."
• "Your profile is your pitch. And most are snooze-worthy."

Give them a reason to keep reading.

Build Trust: What You Do + Who You Help

Be clear. Don’t list your title. Tell them what problems you solve and who benefits from your work.

• "I help early-stage startups craft copy that sells."
• "As a fractional CFO, I turn chaos into clean, usable numbers."

No jargon. No fluff. Just impact.

Show Proof: Drop Numbers, Results, or Wins

People trust results. Use stats, percentages, or outcomes. Paint a picture.

• "Scaled revenue from $200K to $2M in 18 months."
• "Wrote a post that brought 14 inbound leads in one day."

Even one good win can build credibility.

Add a Human Touch

You’re more than a job title. Share something fun or personal. It doesn’t need to be deep.

• "When I’m not writing, I’m biking down muddy trails or rewatching The Office."
• "Ask me about the time I accidentally pitched a VC on mute."

It makes you real. And memorable.

End with a Simple Call to Action

Let people know what to do next.

• "Let’s connect if you're growing a team and need clear, confident messaging."
• "Always open to swap tips with fellow operators and freelancers."

You’re inviting a conversation. Keep it warm and open.

LinkedIn Summary Examples for Professionals

Executive Example (Medium)

"I lead teams that love to win—and know how to get there. In the past 10 years, I’ve grown businesses across SaaS and fintech, building ops that scale and cultures that last. My focus: smart strategy, ruthless prioritization, and helping great people do their best work. Off-hours, I’m either mentoring founders or teaching my kids how to pitch a tent. Let’s connect if you’re building something worthwhile."

Freelancer Example (Short)

"I help founders grow on LinkedIn without writing a single word. Ghostwriter. Strategist. Word nerd. If your posts are collecting dust, I can help."

Startup Founder Example (Long)

"Building startups is messy. I help make it less so. Over the past 7 years, I’ve launched and scaled 3 companies—2 acquired, 1 still growing. I work best at the 0 to 1 stage: taking an idea, testing the market, and getting first users to fall in love. I’ve raised funding, bootstrapped, and everything in between. If you’re in the weeds and want to chat growth, product, or team building—shoot me a note. Outside of work, I read old spy novels and chase after my dog, Milo."

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your Summary

• Keyword stuffing: Don't write for bots. Write for people.
• Being too generic: Everyone’s a "results-driven professional." That’s empty.
• Too much backstory: People don’t need your life history.
• Only talking about the past: What are you doing now? And where are you headed?

Avoid sounding like you're on autopilot. You have a voice. Use it.

Update It Like You Mean It

Your summary isn’t a tattoo. Update it regularly.

• Change it when your focus shifts.
• Refresh your wins every quarter.
• Test different hooks and CTAs.

Check your profile views and inbound messages. Are they going up? Great. If not, tweak and test again.

Final Thoughts: Your Summary Is Your Pitch

The LinkedIn summary isn’t just a box to fill. It’s the start of a conversation.

Make it clear. Make it honest. Make it yours.

And remember, the best profiles sound like real people you want to talk to. Not resumes with a pulse.

Now open LinkedIn. Rewrite your summary. Then come back here and smile. Because people will notice.