Should Attorneys Use First Person or Third Person on a LinkedIn Profile?
When creating a LinkedIn profile, you may wonder whether you should write your summary in first or third person. Either style will work. But which is right for you? Let’s look at the pros and cons of each option.
Benefits of First Person
Using first person on your LinkedIn profile often comes across as more authentic and personal. It gives the impression that you wrote your own “About” summary (whether you did or not). First person also reinforces the fact that if they reach out, they can talk with you directly—not a secretary or other intermediary. This helps humanize your practice.
Plus, we can assume you write your LinkedIn posts in first person. When users click through to view your profile, it may be jarring to find your profile written in a different style.
Benefits of Third Person
Compared with first person, third person may be better for presenting a formal, professional tone. Since LinkedIn is primarily useful for engaging with other professionals, that tone may be most suitable.
Some attorneys even like giving the impression that someone else wrote their profile. This can make their statements about their own accomplishments and skills seem less boastful.
Another argument for third person is that LinkedIn is effectively a public resume. Since resumes are often written in third person, some attorneys assume that their LinkedIn profile should be too.
First Person vs. Third Person: Which Is Better for LinkedIn?
Which should you choose for your LinkedIn summary, first person or third? Ultimately, there’s no wrong answer. The choice is yours. However, we generally recommend using first person.
As attorneys, we are often seen as intimidating and unapproachable. Writing in third person would only reinforce this perception. As a result, you may end up turning prospects away. By writing in first person instead, you can break down barriers and build connections.
Simply put, the authentic and personal tone of first person is best for establishing trust—an essential aspect of any social media strategy. “I can help you” is always a stronger pitch than “John Smith can help you.”
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