The First Two Lines of Your Overview
TL;DR
The first two lines of your overview appear in search previews. Treat them like ad copy: lead with the client's problem or the result they want.
When a client scans search results, they see your photo, your title, and a short preview of your overview, usually the first two lines. Everything after that is hidden until they click. Those two lines are the most valuable words on your whole profile, and most freelancers waste them.
What most people write
The common opener is a version of "Hi, my name is X and I am a passionate professional with a strong work ethic." It says nothing a client cares about, it wastes the preview, and it sounds like every other profile. The client keeps scrolling.
What to write instead
- Name the client's problem or the outcome they want.
- Use their words, not industry jargon.
- Make it feel written for one specific type of client.
- Front-load the value so it survives the preview cutoff.
For example: "Struggling to turn website visitors into leads? I design landing pages that convert cold traffic into booked calls for service businesses." In two lines the client sees their problem, your solution, and who you serve. That earns the click.
Iterate on them
Because these two lines carry so much weight, they are worth testing. If your profile views are decent but invites are low, rewrite the opener with a sharper problem or a stronger outcome and watch the change. Small edits to these lines can shift your whole result.
Common questions
Why do the first two lines matter so much?
They are what shows in search previews before a client clicks. If those lines do not earn the click, the rest of your overview is never read. They carry more weight than any other part of your profile text.
What should the opening line say?
Name the client's problem or the outcome they want, in their words. A pain-point question or a clear result works well because it makes the client feel understood immediately, which pulls them in to read more.
Should I put my name first?
No. Your name adds nothing in the preview and wastes the space. Lead with the client's problem or result. You can mention your name later in the overview or skip it entirely.
How long should these two lines be?
Keep them tight, roughly one to two sentences that fit within the preview. Front-load the value so the most important words survive if the preview cuts off. Every word in this space should earn its place.
Can I test different openers?
Yes, and you should. If your views are decent but invites are low, rewrite the opener with a sharper problem or stronger outcome and compare results. These lines reward iteration more than any other part.
Does jargon belong in the opener?
Only if your target client uses it themselves. Otherwise use plain language that mirrors how the client describes their problem. The opener has to land instantly, and jargon slows that down for most readers.
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