Your content should always have a headline and one of the most effective social media channels you post content on is LinkedIn. In general, the headlines are extremely calculated (or, at least, they should be) and there is a set of rules that will be worth following.

The Do’s and Don’ts of LinkedIn Headlines

A headline serves a few important purposes, not the least of which, and possibly the most important of all, is that your headline is a testament to what you stand for and what you can do for your potential and existing customers. Of course, the one thing you can never lose while writing your headlines is the professionalism people expect from you. That’s the glue that holds your message together. On the other side of the coin, there are several things you shouldn’t do to avoid creating the perception that you don’t want to be associated with you or your business.

• Introduce a story that has a “normal” feel to it (stay away from the no-nos): The headline you post on LinkedIn is meant to draw your readers in and compel them to keep reading until the end of the article. Once your readers have finished reading, you want them to want to share your content with people they know and trust. It can be assumed that they won’t do that if your title (and article) is so far out of the ordinary that readers can’t relate to it. It has to be something that touches them on a human/emotional level. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should write boring headlines. Without a doubt, your headlines must be exciting and must catch your readers. It’s just that they shouldn’t be strangers and people should be able to relate to them. You should also (always) try to post headlines that stimulate the reader’s imagination. It is important to remember that you have to do this with words only. You can use graphic images to help you engage your reader in the body of your article, but you certainly can’t do that in your title. In your headline, you must charm your readers with words alone. It’s a necessary skill and you’ll probably have to work hard to make it happen. Just remember that it will pay off in the end. Always remember to make sure your headlines are never confusing, boring, desperate, or habitual.
• Writing a great headline (hugs the back): Sometimes it’s easier to identify what you shouldn’t put in your title than what you should put in your title. Of course, it’s also important to realize that nothing (including the title) is so permanent that you can’t review it until the moment you publish it. In fact, you can revise it as much as you want up to that point. Of course, you probably know very well that you should always tell a story through your content and that includes telling a story through your headline. One important thing to remember is that even if you think your story is not that interesting, there is a good chance that other people will not agree with you. Your story is probably very interesting to them and they will sincerely want to read what you have to say and quite possibly take your story, learn from it and apply it to their own situation.
• Combine your headline with what you and your company stand for: As you write your headline, make sure it ties closely to what you’re doing and what you’re offering to other people. It should be a clear reflection of your experience and knowledge, and it should inspire your readers to keep reading to find out more about what you do and, more importantly, how you can help them solve their particular problem.
• Make sure your language choice is perfect: It is very important not to overlook the most basic and simple approach to writing your headline. The headline you write must be in clear, concise and perfectly grammatical English. As ridiculously simple as it may sound, and therefore may seem like it doesn’t even need to be mentioned, you might be surprised how many people take it for granted. If the English used in your headline isn’t perfect, your reader will be distracted and move on to someone else’s content. It’s as simple as that. You certainly can’t afford that to happen. However, remember that you have the power to prevent that from happening.

conclusion

Your headlines are a wonderful opportunity for you to show how you stand out from your competitors. You have the ability to write amazing headlines and intentionally include elements in your headline that work well for your business and leave out elements that you know are not good for your business and your online presence. It’s important to always keep in mind that you present the most effective visibility and exposure for others online to react positively to what you’re sharing.