LinkedIn Profile Picture Tips

A professional headshot is a must on your LinkedIn profile.

Your profile picture is the first impression that people have of you, it shows up in searches and in Google, and it enables you to connect with others and visually convey your personal brand.

According to LinkedIn, “members who include a profile photo receive 21 times more profile views and up to 36 times more messages.”

A study of 500 profile pictures found that people view you as more likable, competent and influential if you smile in your profile photo. The study also found that people with open mouth smiles were considered twice as likable as closed mouth smiles.

You’d be surprised just how many casual (aka unfriendly/unapproachable) headshots there are on LinkedIn. Photos in which you are smiling and dressed professionally are key as well as updating your photo if it is more than a year old.

Ensure that your LinkedIn profile photo is a high-resolution, professional headshot that is correctly sized. When you work with a professional headshot photographer, they should know proper cropping and sizing should you need assistance.

Aim to have your face filling about 60 percent of the space. There’s no need for a full-body view of you – your photo should focus on your face.

Having a low-resolution unprofessional LinkedIn photo is as bad as not having any photo at all.

It goes without saying that your headshot should look like you. Today. Not you 10 years ago. If you don’t look like your headshot, it can create a level of distrust with your clients. I recommend getting a new headshot every year and taking several photos in different outfits (with tie, without tie, women in a jacket and without one) to give you and your social media team variety when they post photos of you online.

Not having a headshot also can signal that you just don’t care enough about your profile and what others think of you.

Here are my 10 Don’ts for your LinkedIn profile photo:

1. Don’t include a pet or child in your photo

2. No selfies

3. Don’t post a photo of you taken in a car

4. Don’t wear too much makeup or no makeup at all – look as natural and polished as possible

5. Don’t wear casual clothing or too much jewelry

6. Don’t use a group photo

7. Don’t use a low-resolution or blurry photo

8. Don’t use a photo of you that is more than one year old

9. Don’t wear sunglasses or hold a drink

10. Don’t use a full body photo. Your profile photo should only showcase your face.

A great LinkedIn headshot is attainable and essential for social media. Contact the studio and find out how we can create your best profile pic.