The Maraia Minutes

Here's the tip: Put some thought into how your "headline" reads on LinkedIn.  One of our longtime subscribers, Dale Burket is a real estate lawyer based in Orlando, Florida.  Dale's old LinkedIn headline said: "Partner at Lowndes Drosdick Doster Kantor & Reed, P.A." Not too unlike many professionals who bother to create a LinkedIn profile.  It doesn't tell me anything about what Dale can do to help my clients, contacts and friends.  Newcomers to LinkedIn don't realize that the headline is seen far more often by others (strangers included) because that is how LinkedIn works.  The headline is what people see along with your name and picture.  You want that headline to invite connection.  [Note: If you don't have a picture in your profile you're not making it easy for people to connect with you either so add a picture!]  

 

In a brief email message to Dale I urged him to spice up his headline since I knew that he had been doing tons of reading, blogging and networking in the green building sector.  Here is what he came up with less than 24 hours after my message: "Florida Board Certified Real Estate Lawyer and Author/Editor of Green Blog at www.commerciallygreenflorida.com." Click here to see Dale's new profile. Major improvement don’t you think?

 

Now every time Dale shows up in a LinkedIn search people see his new headline instead of the old, plain vanilla headline. My suggestion to you: Change your headline today!  You're allowed 120 characters for the headline so make every letter count. If you change your headline, please send me a LinkedIn message letting me know about it.  

 

Oh and please invite me to connect with you on LinkedIn!   

 

Mark