What should a small business owner put in their LinkedIn headline?
Say what you do and for whom, then one true result or fact, in plain words. Your headline shows under your name and in search results, and it can be different from your job title, so lead with the words a customer would search, not "Owner" or "Founder".
A formula that works
What you do, who it's for, and one proof point. For example: "Family plumber in Leeds | Boilers fixed the same day | 20 years in the trade".
Want options to pick from? The free LinkedIn headline generator writes 6 in different styles from your business.
Write yours in four steps
Start with the service
The words a customer would type: "hair salon in Austin", "wedding florist", "personal trainer".
Add who it's for
Brides, busy parents, first-time buyers, small offices. Being specific makes the right people stop.
Add one true fact
Years in business, a qualification or what you're known for. Only what you can show.
Change it in your profile
Open your profile, select the edit icon in the intro, change the Headline field and save.
Examples by trade
| Business | Headline |
|---|---|
| Hair salon | Salon owner in Austin | Colour and cuts for curly hair | Booking for December |
| Plumber | Family plumber in Leeds | Boilers fixed the same day | 20 years in the trade |
| Cafe | Independent coffee shop in Bristol | Beans roasted on site | Catering for offices |
| Gym | Strength coach and gym owner | Training for beginners over 40 | Small group classes |
| Florist | Wedding and event florist | Seasonal flowers from local growers | Booking 2027 dates |
| Real estate agent | Real estate agent in Tampa | Helping first-time buyers | Local market updates weekly |
Swap in your own town, service and facts.
After the headline
- Write the About section the same way: what you do, who for, and how to book. The free LinkedIn summary generator drafts one.
- Post once or twice a week. The free LinkedIn post generator turns a topic into 2 posts with a first line that shows before "see more".
The easier way
- Socialhand writes and posts LinkedIn posts for your business from your website, along with 7 other platforms, once you approve them.
- Plans start at $97 a month for all 8 platforms, and you can try it free first.
Questions people ask
Should I put my business name in my LinkedIn headline?
Put what you do first. Add the name if people search for it, after the service.
Can my headline be different from my job title?
Yes. LinkedIn says the headline can differ from your current position, so you can lead with what you do for customers.
Sources
Read on . Prices and limits change, so check the page before you rely on a number.