How to Write a LinkedIn Bio That Gets You Noticed

Your LinkedIn About section has 2,600 characters. Most people either leave it blank, paste in their resume summary, or write three generic sentences about being "results-driven" and "passionate about innovation."

None of that works.

Your About section is your most valuable piece of real estate on LinkedIn. It's the one place where you can speak directly to someone in your own voice, tell your story, and make a compelling case for why they should connect with you, hire you, or work with you.

Here's how to write one that actually does that.

Why Most LinkedIn Bios Fail

Before we get into what to do, it helps to understand why most LinkedIn About sections fall flat.

They're written for the writer, not the reader. Most people write their bio as a summary of their own achievements and history. But the person reading it — a recruiter, a potential client, a hiring manager — has one question: what can this person do for me?

They're too vague. Words like "passionate," "driven," "innovative," and "strategic thinker" appear in millions of profiles. They mean nothing because they differentiate nothing.

They lack a hook. LinkedIn only shows the first two or three lines of your About section before the "see more" cutoff. If those lines don't grab attention, most people won't click through.

They have no call to action. Your bio should end by telling someone what to do next. Without a CTA, even great bios leave opportunities on the table.

The Framework: Hook, Story, Value, Proof, CTA

Here's a proven structure that works across industries and career stages.

1. The Hook (First 2–3 Lines)

These are the lines that appear before the "see more" collapse. They need to stop someone scrolling and make them want to read more.

Strong hooks often:

Make a bold, specific claim: "I've helped 40+ B2B companies cut their sales cycle in half."
Lead with an unexpected angle: "I failed my first two startups. Here's what I learned."
Speak directly to your audience: "If you're a founder who's tired of burning budget on marketing that doesn't convert — keep reading."

Avoid opening with your job title. Everyone does that, and it wastes your strongest real estate.

2. Your Story (Background and Context)

This is a brief, human paragraph about who you are and how you got here. It doesn't need to be your full career history — just the most relevant thread that explains your expertise and perspective.

The goal: make you sound like a real person with a genuine point of view, not a resume.

Example: "I spent 8 years in corporate finance before leaving to build my own advisory practice. That experience on both sides of the table — as a corporate buyer and an independent advisor — shapes everything about how I work with clients."

3. Your Value (What You Do and Who You Help)

Be specific about what you offer and who it's for. This is where many people stay too vague.

Instead of: "I help businesses grow."

Try: "I work with early-stage SaaS founders (pre-Series A) to build content strategies that drive qualified pipeline — without relying on paid ads."

The more specific you are, the more the right people will recognise themselves in your bio and reach out.

4. Social Proof (Results and Wins)

Numbers and outcomes are the most credible thing you can put in a LinkedIn bio. They're specific, verifiable, and they translate your vague claims into evidence.

Examples of strong social proof:

"Managed a $12M marketing budget across 6 markets"
"Grew our email list from 0 to 85,000 subscribers in 18 months"
"Worked with brands including [notable client], [notable client], and [notable client]"

You don't need to be boastful — just specific and concrete.

5. The Call to Action (What to Do Next)

End your bio with a clear next step. This could be:

Connect: "If you're working in [space], I'd love to connect."
Contact: "Reach me at [email] or DM me here."
Follow: "Follow me for weekly posts on [topic]."
Visit: "More about my work at [website]."

Without a CTA, you're leaving money on the table.

Writing Tips for a Stronger LinkedIn Bio

Write in the first person

Third-person bios ("John is a seasoned marketing professional who...") feel cold and distant. Write as if you're talking directly to the person reading: "I'm a marketing strategist who..."

Use line breaks generously

LinkedIn's text rendering makes dense paragraphs hard to read. Use short paragraphs (2–3 sentences max) and line breaks to create white space.

Read it aloud

If it sounds stiff or unnatural when you read it aloud, rewrite it. Your bio should sound like you at your most articulate — not like a corporate press release.

Avoid clichés

Run a quick search for how common certain phrases are in LinkedIn bios. Words like "thought leader," "guru," "ninja," and "rockstar" are overused to the point of meaninglessness. Replace them with specific, descriptive language.

Include searchable keywords naturally

LinkedIn's search algorithm indexes your About section. Include the professional terms, skills, and roles you want to be found for — but weave them in naturally, not as a keyword dump.

Real Before and After Example

Before: "Experienced marketing professional with a passion for driving results. I am results-oriented, collaborative, and dedicated to delivering excellence. Available for new opportunities."

After: "I've spent 10 years helping mid-market retail brands turn their email lists into revenue engines.

After starting my career at a global agency and managing campaigns for household names, I went independent in 2019. Since then, I've worked with 30+ brands to build email programs that collectively generate over $50M in annual revenue.

My specialty: customer retention. I help brands stop leaving money on the table between acquisition campaigns.

If you're scaling a DTC or retail brand and want to talk retention strategy — DM me or reach me at hello@yourname.com."

The second version is specific, human, credible, and tells you exactly who it's for and what to do next.

Use AI to Draft and Refine

Not sure where to start? Try using our LinkedIn Bio Generator to get a first draft based on your background and goals. Then personalise it with your specific results, voice, and story.

AI can get you 80% of the way there. The last 20% — the specific details, the authentic voice, the wins only you've achieved — is what makes it yours.

Final Checklist Before You Publish

Before you update your LinkedIn About section, check:

[ ] The first two lines are strong enough to stand alone as a hook
[ ] Written in first person, not third
[ ] Specific about who you help and what you do
[ ] Includes at least one concrete result or number
[ ] Ends with a clear call to action
[ ] Free of clichés and vague language
[ ] Easy to read — short paragraphs, white space

Your LinkedIn bio won't write itself — but once you get it right, it works for you around the clock. A great bio turns profile visitors into connection requests, messages, and opportunities.

While you're updating your profile, make sure your LinkedIn photo and headline are as strong as your new bio.