The Write Road: Deadly LinkedIn Profile Mistake #1

There are 5 common mistakes writers make in their LinkedIn profile. The first is likely the worst to commit, and maybe the easiest to fix.

When prospects scan LinkedIn profiles, they're looking for quick answers to thorny business questions:

• Can this person solve our problem?

• Do they understand our industry?

• Will they be professional to work with?

Profiles that force prospects to guess or decode what you actually do get passed over for clearer alternatives. Don’t make them guess.

Here's the first mistake that can kill your chances before you even knew you had them...

Mistake 1. "Creative" Headlines That Don't Communicate Value

Writers love love love getting creative with their headlines. They craft clever lines like "Wordsmith & Story Weaver ✨" or "Content Creator Extraordinaire" or "Crafting Stories That Captivate."

I’ve even seen, “Chief Happiness Officer!”

Say what?

I get it... you want to stand out.

But here's the problem. While these might sound appealing to other writers, they create a fundamental disconnect with potential clients.

And not to be rude, but if another writer thinks your headline is really cool or creative… you might want to rethink it. Not saying they’re wrong… just may not be thinking with a business mindset.

Headlines get maybe 3-5 seconds of attention from prospects.

That's it.

Goldfish will hang around longer, or so I’m told.

Your prospect isn’t a goldfish…

Smart prospects scan LinkedIn profiles looking for quick answers to very specific business questions. Headlines that prioritize creativity over clarity force prospects to guess what you actually do.

And here's the brutal reality... they won't guess. They'll just move on.

Quickly.

So don’t make them guess what you do and what it means for them.

Tell them!

Business decision-makers are evaluating dozens of potential copywriters hurriedly. If your headline makes them work to understand your value, they'll simply click to the next profile where the expertise is immediately clear.

By the way, those darling little emojis, or green clovers, pink hearts, and yellow moons are best suited for breakfast cereals, not LinkedIn profile headlines.

You only have 220 characters, including spaces to work with.

Don’t. Waste. Them.

What potential clients think when they see creative headlines: "This person seems more focused on being clever than understanding my business needs."

That's not the first impression you want to make with someone who might hire you.

Instead, lead with the industry you serve and what you actually deliver.

Take a headline like "B2B SaaS Content Writer | Case Studies & White Papers That Drive Qualified Leads".

That immediately tells a prospect this person knows their world.

Or "Healthcare Marketing Writer | Compliance-Ready Content for Medical Device Companies"... see how that works?

You're speaking their native language from the first glance.

Boring? Maybe.

More effective? Definitely.

Bottom line?

It's not about impressing other writers. They’re not your target market.

It's about making real prospects think, "Finally… someone who gets what we're dealing with."

Over to you, my friend!

As a writer, what is it that you do… exactly?

Does your LinkedIn headline tell your prospect what you do immediately… if not sooner?

Will it stop their “doom and gloom scrolling” and make them take a closer look?

I’d love to see your LinkedIn headline. Here’s mine:

Copywriter & marketing consultant for industrial manufacturing, electrical & safety companies | Case Studies to prove your value | Blogs to show your authority | Sales Enablement Copy to convert warm leads into hot sales

Feel free to put yours in the comments.

If you need help with your headline, that’s what I do… a lot.

And don’t be concerned… This is a more judgement free zone than a “certain” planetary exercise and fitness business.

Let’s have a look. We can all learn from each other and make our personal marketing more effective.

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Up next on Friday… the second deadly LinkedIn profile mistake most writers make.

And the solution… will set you free.

Talk soon!

Steve M.