How to Write About Yourself on LinkedIn

Writing about yourself is one of the most unnatural things we're asked to do, especially on a professional platform like LinkedIn. Instead of staring at a blank About section, this guide provides a clear framework to write a compelling summary that feels authentic and attracts the right opportunities. We'll cover everything from defining your personal brand to crafting a hook that makes people want to learn more.

Why Your LinkedIn "About" Section Matters More Than You Think

Many professionals treat their LinkedIn "About" section as an afterthought - a quick copy-paste of their resume objective or a dry list of job duties. This is a huge missed opportunity. In reality, this section is arguably the most important piece of real estate on your entire profile. It’s your chance to:

• Make a Human Connection: A resume lists what you’ve done, your "About" section explains who you are, what you care about, and why you do what you do. It transforms you from a list of credentials into a relatable person.
• Control Your Narrative: You get to frame your experience and skills in a way that guides the reader’s perception. Are you a problem-solver? A creative thinker? A strategic leader? This is where you state your case directly.
• Attract the Right Audience: A well-written summary acts as a filter. It speaks directly to the recruiters, clients, or collaborators you want to attract and subtly signals to others that you might not be the right fit. It’s your personal branding and a magnet for opportunity.

Think of it as the cover letter for your entire professional life. It’s the first real introduction people get, and it sets the tone for everything else they read on your profile.

First, Define Your Personal Brand (Before You Write a Word)

The secret to a great "About" section isn’t fancy writing - it’s clarity. Before you open up LinkedIn, take a few minutes to answer these five questions. Your answers will become the building blocks for an authentic and impactful summary.

1. Who are you professionally?

Start with a clear, concise statement of your professional identity. Go beyond a generic job title. Think in terms of your specialty or focus.

Example: Instead of "Software Developer," try "Backend engineer specializing in building scalable APIs for fintech startups."

2. Who do you help (your target audience)?

Who benefits from your work? Be specific. This shows you understand your role within a bigger picture and adds context to your skills.

Example: Instead of "clients" or "companies," try "I work with B2B SaaS companies that have hit a product-market fit and are ready to scale their content marketing."

3. What do you help them achieve (your value proposition)?

This is the core of your branding. What problem do you solve? What concrete value do you provide? Focus on the outcome, not just the tasks you perform.

Example: Instead of "I write blog posts and manage social media," try "I help them build an organic inbound lead engine that reduces their reliance on expensive paid advertising."

4. How do you do it (your unique process or skills)?

Briefly mention the core skills, methods, or philosophies that enable you to deliver on your value proposition. This is where you can showcase your unique expertise.

Example: "I do this by combining data-driven SEO strategy with long-form, story-driven content that builds authority and trust."

5. What is the end result?

What is the ultimate transformation they experience after working with you? Paint a picture of the "after" state.

Example: "The result is a sustainable growth channel that attracts their ideal customers, shortens sales cycles, and establishes them as leaders in their niche."

Once you have these answers, you have a solid foundation. You've stopped thinking like a resume-writer and started thinking like a strategist.

How to Structure Your "About" Section: A Step-by-Step Guide

A great LinkedIn summary isn't just one long paragraph. It’s structured for readability and impact, with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Part 1: The Hook (Your First 2-3 Sentences)

Only the first couple of lines of your summary are visible before a user has to click "see more." Your opening must be strong enough to make them do it. Start with your most impactful statement.

Formula A: The "I Help X Do Y" Statement

This is a classic for a reason - it’s clear, confident, and reader-focused. It immediately tells your target audience that they're in the right place.

Example: "I help e-commerce brands use lifecycle email marketing to turn one-time buyers into lifelong fans. By focusing on personalization and automation, I build systems that drive repeat purchases and increase LTV."

Formula B: The Bold Accomplishment + Value Statement

Flex a little. Lead with a compelling result you've achieved, then connect it to the value you provide today.

Example: "Over the last 5 years, I’ve managed over $10M in ad spend for DTC startups. Today, I use that experience to help early-stage founders build profitable paid acquisition strategies from day one, avoiding the common mistakes that waste time and money."

Part 2: The Middle (Your Story & Proof)

Once you’ve hooked them, you can fill in the details. The key here is not to list every job you've ever had. Instead, connect the dots of your career in a narrative format. Tell a quick story of where you’ve been, what you learned, and how it informs what you do now.

Here’s how to make this section easy to read and believe:

• Use Short Paragraphs: No one wants to read a wall of text. Break up your thoughts into small, digestible chunks of 2-3 sentences each.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Back up your claims. Instead of saying "I'm a great project manager," say "I recently led a cross-functional team to launch a new product two weeks ahead of schedule, resulting in a 15% increase in Q3 revenue." Numbers are your friend.
• Let Your Personality Shine: It’s okay to sound like yourself! Use "I" and write in a conversational tone. If you're passionate about a specific aspect of your work, let that excitement come through.
• Create a "Specialties" List: Use bullet points to list your core competencies. This makes it easy for someone skimming your profile to quickly grasp your skill set. Use checkmarks or other simple emojis to make it visually scannable.

Example of a "Specialties" List:

My areas of expertise include:

• 📈 Go-to-Market Strategy
• 💬 Product-Led Growth (PLG)
• 💡 User Onboarding & Activation
• 📊 Data Analysis & A/B Testing

Part 3: The Call to Action (The "What Next")

Don't end your summary on a flat note. Tell the reader exactly what you want them to do next. A Call to Action (CTA) turns a passive reader into an active connection.

Your CTA will depend on your goals. Are you looking for a job? Clients? Networking opportunities?

Examples of clear CTAs:

• "I'm currently seeking new opportunities in product marketing leadership. Feel free to connect or send me a message here on LinkedIn."
• "I love chatting with other sales leaders about team building and sales process optimization. Send me a connection request if you’re up for a conversation."
• "If you're a founder looking to build a remote-first culture that works, send me a message. I'm always open to discussing new freelance consulting projects."
• "You can reach me directly via email at [yourname at email.com]."

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Writing about yourself is tricky, and a few common errors can undermine your message.

• Writing in the Third Person: Writing "John is a results-oriented manager..." sounds detached and formal. LinkedIn is a social network. Write as "I."
• Using Empty Buzzwords: Phrases like "highly motivated," "team player," "strategic thinker," and "proven track record" are meaningless without evidence. Cut the fluff and use a specific example instead.
• Being Too Vague: "Responsible for marketing activities" doesn’t tell anyone anything. "Managed a $50k monthly budget for Google Ads to generate 200+ marketing qualified leads per month" is a far more powerful statement.
• Forgetting About Keywords: Recruiters and potential clients use keywords to search for people on LinkedIn. Make sure your summary naturally includes the terms, job titles, and skills relevant to your field (e.g., SEO, Content Strategy, SaaS, Project Management, Agile).

Final Thoughts

Your LinkedIn "About" section is your digital elevator pitch, your personal brand statement, and your professional handshake all rolled into one. By moving from a mindset of listing your history to one of telling your story, you can transform it from a passive summary into an active tool that builds connections and opens doors.

Once your profile is dialed in, the next step is sharing valuable content that builds on that brand foundation. We know that consistently showing up on social media is a huge challenge, which is why we built Postbase. Our visual content calendar helps you plan ahead, our scheduling tool lets you publish to LinkedIn and all your other platforms in one click, and our clear analytics show you what's working so you can do more of it. We made Postbase to un-complicate social media so you can stay consistent without the headache.