Your LinkedIn summary is one of the most important parts of your LinkedIn profile. It’s your chance to make a great first impression, showcase your expertise and connect with potential clients, employers and collaborators. A compelling summary can elevate your thought leadership, attract new business and open up career opportunities. Yet there a lot of boring and bad LinkedIn summaries out there! Many people just copy and paste their web site bios into LinkedIn – here’s a guide to crafting an impactful LinkedIn summary that truly highlights your professional history, expertise and personality.

1. Write in the First Person: A LinkedIn summary should feel personal and conversational. Writing in the first person makes it more engaging and approachable. Instead of a detached third-person bio, write your summary in the first person as if you were talking to someone over coffee.
2. Know Your Audience: Identify who you’re targeting—whether it’s prospective clients, potential employers, industry peers or a combination of all of these. Highlight key points, accomplishments and skills that resonate with your audience.
3. Include a Personal Statement: Go beyond listing your qualifications. Explain why you do what you do. This personal touch helps break the mold of generic lawyer bios and shows potential clients and employers what drives you professionally.
4. Showcase Your Personality: Your LinkedIn summary should reflect who you are beyond your professional achievements. Mention interests outside of work, community involvement or hobbies. This helps people connect with you on a personal level.
5. Hook Readers with the First Three Sentences: The initial sentences of your summary are crucial since they appear as a preview when you post on LinkedIn. Ensure these sentences are compelling and clearly convey your unique value proposition to encourage readers to click “show more.”
6. Include a Call to Action: Direct your readers towards the action you want them to take next. Whether it’s visiting your blog, connecting with you for a consultation or checking out your thought leadership content, a clear call to action is essential.
7. Get a Second Opinion: Before finalizing your summary, have someone else review it. Preferably, choose someone outside of the legal field (such as an ideal client) to ensure it’s understandable and engaging for a broader audience. They can provide insights on readability, tone and overall impact.
8. Highlight Your Achievements: Use the summary to highlight your major accomplishments and areas of expertise. Be specific about the results you’ve achieved and how you’ve helped clients or companies succeed, but don’t sound boastful, overly self-congratulatory or self-promotional.
9. Keep It Concise and Focused: While it’s important to be comprehensive, avoid making your summary too lengthy. Focus on the most impactful information and keep your sentences clear and concise.
10. Update Regularly: Regularly update your summary to reflect your latest achievements, skills, experience and professional changes. This keeps your profile fresh and relevant to your audience.

Key Takeaways to Craft a Strong LinkedIn Summary

• Personalize Your Approach: Write in the first person to make your summary more engaging.
• Target Your Audience: Tailor your content to the specific people you want to attract.
• Show Your Passion: Include a personal statement that explains why you do what you do.
• Be Human: Showcase your personality by mentioning interests and community involvement.
• Hook with the First Few Sentences: Make a strong impression with an attention-grabbing opening.
• Direct Your Audience: Include a clear call to action to guide the next steps.
• Get Feedback: Have someone else review your summary to ensure clarity and impact.
• Highlight Achievements: Focus on your key accomplishments and expertise.
• Stay Concise: Keep your summary focused and to the point.
• Update Regularly: Keep your profile current with your latest professional developments.

By following these strategies, lawyers and business professionals can create a LinkedIn summary that not only impresses but also effectively communicates their unique value to potential clients, employers and peers.