The Message That Finally Came Through
David had a great LinkedIn profile. Strong headline. Compelling story in his About section. Solid experience bullets. But he rarely got messages from potential clients or collaborators.
Then he added one sentence to the end of his About section: "If you're a SaaS founder struggling to build a content strategy that drives signups, let's talk. Send me a message or book a 15-minute call here: [link]."
Within two weeks, he had nine messages from founders and three consulting projects booked. Same profile. Same audience. Different LinkedIn About section CTA.
Your About section isn't just a story—it's a sales page. And every sales page needs a clear, compelling call-to-action. Without it, people read your profile, nod appreciatively, and leave. With it, they take action. Build your About section using a proven narrative framework, then close with a strong CTA.
Why Most LinkedIn CTAs Fail (and How to Fix Them)
Most LinkedIn About sections end in one of three ways:
- 💡 No CTA at all (the profile just... ends)
- 💡 A vague CTA like "Feel free to reach out anytime!"
- 💡 A desperate CTA like "Always open to new opportunities!"
These don't work because they lack specificity and urgency. People don't know why they should reach out, what to say, or what happens next.
LinkedIn About Section CTA Templates (By Goal)
Here are proven templates you can customize for your profile. Choose the one that matches your primary goal on LinkedIn.
Template 1: For Job Seekers
Goal: Get recruiter and hiring manager messages
Template: "If you're hiring for [job title] roles in [industry/location], I'd love to connect. Send me a message or email me at [email]. I'm particularly interested in [specific type of company or role]."
Example:
"If you're hiring for Senior Product Manager roles in B2B SaaS, I'd love to connect. Send me a message or email me at sarah@example.com. I'm particularly interested in early-stage startups building tools for remote teams."
Why it works:
- ✔️ Specifies who should reach out (recruiters hiring PMs in B2B SaaS)
- ✔️ Provides two clear ways to take action (message or email)
- ✔️ Adds specificity (early-stage, remote tools) to attract the right opportunities
Template 2: For Freelancers and Consultants
Goal: Generate client leads
Template: "If you're a [target client] struggling with [specific problem], let's talk. Send me a message or book a [time] call here: [link]."
Example:
"If you're a SaaS founder struggling to build a content strategy that drives signups, let's talk. Send me a message or book a 15-minute call here: [calendly link]."
Why it works:
- ✔️ Names the exact client (SaaS founders)
- ✔️ Identifies a specific pain point (content strategy for signups)
- ✔️ Removes friction with a booking link
Template 3: For Thought Leaders and Content Creators
Goal: Grow your audience and engagement
Template: "I share insights on [topic] every week. Follow me for [specific type of content]. And if you have questions about [topic], drop me a message—I love talking shop."
Example:
"I share insights on remote team management every week. Follow me for tactics that work in distributed companies with 10-100 employees. And if you have questions about managing remote teams, drop me a message—I love talking shop."
Why it works:
- ✔️ Invites followers with a clear value proposition (remote team tactics)
- ✔️ Specifies the audience (10-100 employee companies)
- ✔️ Opens the door to DM conversations
Template 4: For Networkers and Connectors
Goal: Build relationships and make connections
Template: "I love connecting [type of people] with [type of people]. If you're in [industry/role], send me a connection request—I'm always happy to make introductions."
Example:
"I love connecting early-stage founders with experienced product designers. If you're in the startup world, send me a connection request—I'm always happy to make introductions."
Why it works:
- ✔️ Positions you as a connector (valuable role on LinkedIn)
- ✔️ Specifies who you help (founders and designers)
- ✔️ Makes the ask easy (just send a connection request)
Advanced CTA Strategies
Strategy 1: Use Multiple CTAs for Different Audiences
If you serve multiple audiences, you can include more than one CTA. Just make sure each one is clear and distinct.
"If you're a startup founder looking for growth marketing help, send me a message. If you're a marketer looking to level up your skills, check out my newsletter: [link]."
Strategy 2: Add Urgency or Scarcity (When Appropriate)
If you have limited availability or a specific timeframe, mention it. This creates urgency without sounding desperate.
"I'm taking on two new consulting clients in Q4. If you're interested in working together, send me a message before October 31st."
Strategy 3: Test and Iterate
Your CTA isn't set in stone. Try different versions and see what drives more messages, connection requests, or meeting bookings. Update your CTA every quarter based on what's working.
Common CTA Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why It Fails | Better Approach |
|---|---|---|
| "Feel free to reach out!" | Too vague. No reason to act. | "If you're [specific], message me about [specific]." |
| "Always open to opportunities!" | Sounds desperate, not strategic. | "I'm looking for [specific role] at [specific company type]." |
| No CTA at all | Leaves people unsure what to do next. | Always end with a clear next step. |
| "Check out my website!" | Generic link without context. | "Read my latest guide on [topic]: [link]." |
Download the CTA template library to copy, customize, and test different CTAs for your profile.
Your 3-Step Action Plan
- Choose the template that matches your goal: Are you job searching, building a client base, or growing your network? Pick the corresponding template from above.
- Customize it with specifics: Replace the placeholders with your target audience, pain point, and action step. Make it clear who should reach out and why.
- Add it to your About section today: Don't wait. Add your new CTA to the end of your About section right now. Use ANDI as a tone coach to make sure it sounds confident, not desperate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include my email address in my LinkedIn CTA?
Yes, if you want to make it easy for people to reach you outside LinkedIn. Some professionals prefer email for serious inquiries. Just make sure it's a professional email address, not a generic Gmail with numbers.
Can I include a Calendly link in my About section CTA?
Absolutely. Booking links remove friction and make it easy for people to schedule time with you. Just make sure the link is clean (use a custom Calendly URL like calendly.com/yourname, not the default long link).
How often should I update my LinkedIn About section CTA?
Update your CTA whenever your goal changes. If you were job searching and you land a job, update it. If you were taking on clients and you're now fully booked, update it. Review your CTA every quarter to make sure it's still relevant.
Should my CTA be in first person or third person?
First person ("Send me a message") feels more personal and direct. Third person ("Feel free to reach out") feels more formal and distant. For most professionals, first person works better because it's more human and inviting.
Next step: Take control of your LinkedIn relationships — Try ANDI Free.
