LinkedIn - Headline LAB #1
"Headline Brainstorming"
- Unit: Professional Development
- Module: LinkedIn - Building A Professional Network
- This is a LEARNING Activity : Lesson - Headline & Power Words
- LinkedIn - Headline & Power Words - Slides
- Last Revised: July 12, 2021 - Authored: Dec. 28, 2020
- Original Author: Jim Burnham - TopClown@STEAMClown.org
- Content License: Distributed as Open Source. See Rights & Usage
This module, while focused on your LinkedIn Headline, is really about using the right words in the 120 characters you have to promote yourself.
What words describe your professional experience?
Drop some "breadcrumbs" about what you do and who you are
We can change our Headline any time, but let's do it right...
Learning Objective:
- Review how to write a LinkedIn Headline
- Show Good and Bad Headline Examples
- Create a Strong and Compelling Headline
- Basic understanding of how to use Social Media
- Have new LinkedIn Account
- Access to your LinkedIn Account
- Access the the Internet & Browser
In this Lab we are going to focus on your LinkedIn "Headline".
This Lab Activity is about Brainstorming. You are going to have a big list of Ideas. The outcome is to have lots of Headline Ideas, NOT a finished Headline... That will come in a later Lab.
You are going to review other LinkedIn Headlines. See how others write their Headlines. Pick the best examples from them and apply them to yours.
You are going to write down Power Words and sentence fragments that apply to you.
Separate your Brainstorming results into items that go in your "Headline" and what can be used in your "About" section later.
Your headline is what people see over and over. Make sure it communicates the right message to your target audience. When someone looks at your profile, the first text they see is your name and headline.
Don't waste the 120 characters:
You have 120 characters to use with your Headline. This is where you fill it with keywords of the Job or career you want. Headlines are searched by bots and other employer tools...
#1 - LEARNING Lab Activity - Power Verbs:
If you did not already look at these reference links in the last lesson, please spend about 10-15 reviewing them.
Take 10-15 min and read the following 3 articles.
A Practical Guide to Powerful Keywords in Your LinkedIn Profile
Powerful and proven keywords to add to your LinkedIn profile
LAB Activity:
Open up a Document where you can record all your Brainstorming thoughts. Here is a Google Doc "Headline Brainstorming Template" you can copy
As you review these links, write down thoughts and ideas that apply to you and your headline. Remember this is a Brainstorming activity. You will refine all these ideas into your Headline and "About" section in later Labs.
Power Words are "Action" verbs
They show you doing something, making a positive change or demonstrating a skill.
You want the next opportunity to find you... and it finds you because you have included Power Words as keywords in your LinkedIn Headline and About summary. These power words or important keywords help you stand out from the crowd. They help you better communicate your value and improve your personal brand.
#2 - LEARNING Lab Activity - Power Words: Example List:
This is by no means a complete list. See if you can find more. Send them to me @ TopClown@STEAMClown.org
Think about your skill set and experiences, and see how you can describe them using action verbs like these power words.
LAB Activity:
Keep editing your Headline Brainstorming Document:
As you review this list, write down thoughts and ideas that apply to you and your headline. Remember this is a Brainstorming activity. You will refine all these ideas into your Headline and "About" section in later Labs.
Think about your Skills, Activities, Projects, Jobs, and any Clubs or Organizations you are part of. Write a sentence fragment using a Power Word about yourself.
Accomplished
Achieved
Adapted
Arranged
Attained
Built
Captured
Commandeered
Completed
Converted
Crafted
Created
Cut
Delivered
Demonstrated
Designed
Developed
Devised
Directed
Distributed
Doubled
Drove
Earned
Eliminated
Encouraged
Enforced
Engineered
Ensured
Established
Expanded
Expedited
Founded
Generated
Guided
Identified
Implemented
Improved
Improvised
Increased
Initiated
Inspired
Installed
Instigated
Instructed
Interpreted
Introduced
Launched
Led
Liaised
Modernized
Motivated
Negotiated
Organized
Promoted
Redesigned
Revitalized
Started
Streamlined
Strengthened
Structured
Supervised
Transformed
Uncovered
Widened
Won
#3 - LEARNING Lab Activity - Let's Dig Deeper & Look At Some More Examples:
Here are some great links to explore and see some great examples of LinkedIn Headlines.
10 Eye-Catching LinkedIn Profile Headlines to Inspire Your Own
How to Write a Professional LinkedIn Headline (With Examples)
How to use LinkedIn | Top 5 Tips for writing your LinkedIn Headline
LAB Activity:
Keep up the Brainstorming document.
You don't need to read all of these, but they might be useful to help you see a few more great examples of other LinkedIn Headlines. Take any good ideas and make them your own. Copy, tweak and make these ideas apply to you.
What's Next?:
If you stick around, we are going to dig much deeper into the topic of the LinkedIn Headline. Please take the time to work the LABS. When you are done with this section on LinkedIn Headlines, you will have a the information to create and post a great Headline and even more ideas for your "About" section.
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