The Role of LinkedIn Photos in Professional Networking

✨Magical✨ Linkedin Profile Tip #1: Profile pic and cover photo Your profile picture is the first thing that people will see and the most recognizable indicator of your activity on this platform. You want this to be a picture that represents you on your best day. Some particulars to consider: 1. It doesn't have to be centered in the circle or straight on. You can be angled, slightly in motion or in a relaxed pose. 2. You want your face to be visible. People want to see who they are interacting with. 3. What is the face you make when you meet someone who you’re happy to meet? That's the face you want to make. 4. Wear something professionally appropriate for your industry - whatever that is. (I am wearing a shirt with a dragon on it.) 5. Color - some people prefer black and white, but I swear that color is more recognizable in a sea of black and white photos. If black and white is part of your brand/vibe/design, then go for it, just be intentional. 5. Background - you have options here. Greenery, urban, outside, inside. Just make sure it's not distracting. The key to the profile pic is to keep it consistent. If you feel inclined to change it, just don't do it too often. We are building visual equity here. If your profile picture is the cover of your book, the cover photo is the preface. Pick something that represents you and your work - it should capture a vibe, a feeling, and ideally align with your industry. It should be visually interesting and be representative of the professional brand you wish to exude. Your cover photo can change more often than your profile pic. You can use it to show projects you've recently worked on and changing representations of your industry. (I posted last week offering to review LinkedIn profiles to help people make them ✨magical✨ in the wake of layoffs. And then approximately 77 people reached out for help. And since I don't have the capacity to get back to everyone individually with the urgency I would like, I decided to share some tips in the form of content. There is too much detail for one post, so this will be a series that I will post over the upcoming week. Each post will focus on an area of the profile. These tips are thoughts I have aggregated through my own activity on the platform. Take what is valuable for you, and ditch the rest.)

A Selfie for your LinkedIn profile or business website – really? OK, I’ll admit I’m biased – I’m a headshot photographer and when I see an image my brain immediately starts looking at (and critiquing) the lighting, expression, overall look, etc..  When I put my marketing hat on, I think about the impression the image creates about that person. What does it convey about their professionalism, competence, confidence, friendliness, personality? In short, how does it make me feel? Most people don’t think of their reaction in those terms, but they do react at some level in their psyche. We know that people are immediately drawn/look at images on a page before they look at text, and so when the look at a LinkedIn profile or the “About” section of a website, the first thing they see is the image(s) of a person or people. That creates an immediate first impression, which then serves as a sort of filter as the visitor reads about the person or business. Studies have shown that people decide whether you’re trustworthy/competent within 80ms of viewing an image of a person. So if the person’s image is taken at golf course, under an overhead light in an office, or a selfie, what is the first impression? At best it’s mixed – if the person in the image is comfortable or has experience in front of a camera, then the expression may be OK (this is rare as many people do weird things with their smiles/faces when having their picture taken). A professionally done photograph that reflects the best of you and your brand is immediately noticeable and conveys the right message. It says your serious about your job/career, your business, and that details are important to you. Your business website and LinkedIn profile is not like a personal Facebook or Instagram page. People are searching for other people or businesses because of something related to business – whether it’s searching for candidates or a job, researching a company/business, or looking for general information, it’s more often than not in a business context. Imagine you’re launching financial planning services for families/individuals – like Smarter Bear Financials. The services they provide has significant impact on people’s lives, and with so many choices available, it’s important they stand out in many ways. If you were looking for these services, and saw their profile images on their website, what would your initial impression be? Would you want to learn more about who they are and what they provide? Probably so – their look/expression shows confidence, experience, along with a personality. They look professional and successful. Now imagine you researched another firm and the images looked like snapshots.  Which creates the better first impression? And what would you think about their success/firm, at least initially? So why would you want anything other than the best image of yourself? Or am I just biased?...

Of all the updates I've ever made to my LinkedIn profile, my current photo has garnered the most positive feedback by far. Under most circumstances, my face features a permanently furrowed brow and what a friend once lovingly referred to as "thinly veiled hostility." They weren't wrong. I can't help it. That's just my face. But your profile photo on LinkedIn is usually the first thing anyone sees, and it sets the tone for how others are likely to interact with you. So I made an intentionally goofy face for the photo– an excited face that is less than true-to-life. And, coupled with my banner, it helps brand the rest of my profile. Updating that photo is another free way to set a tone without spending a single dollar. **** From Erin Lewber 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢  (the picture of your face in the circle) The purpose of your profile photo is to put a face with the words on a page so people know who they're interacting with. A profile photo helps people know, like, trust you because it becomes a recognizable representation of you. 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗨𝗣𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗘: 𝟭. 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳  A professional photo is always lovely (but not required). If you have a professional photo (say, from a holiday card), you can crop your loved ones out, remove the background and crop out any other people using Canva, add a colorful background (optional) and you're good to go! If you don't have a pro photo, then wipe off the lenses on your phone's camera (because fingerprints ruin photos) and get someone to take a photo of you outside or in a well lit environment. Phone cameras are SO GOOD these days, you don't need to pay someone for a nice photo. Try not to selfie - typically not anyone's best angle. You can also consider an AI headshot (personally, I'm not a fan of AI headshots because they all have that creepy glow to them...but you do you). 𝟮. 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲  You may have a lovely photo of you standing in nature....but your photo needs to feature your face - not trees, fountains, your feet, etc. Your profile photo should be mostly your head in that circle (see my photo for example). General rule: Your head should take up two thirds or more (66% or more) of your circle. Two eyes, a nose, a smile 𝟯. 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱  I currently have a very neutral background. I also previously used Canva to remove the background from my photo and replaced it with an orange color. You don't have to do this. But ask yourself: Does the background distract from my face? Could I streamline my background so my face really stands out? Canva is a great, free resource if you want to do anything to your photo's background 𝟰. 𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝟱. 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽  You can change your photo a million times on LinkedIn, so don't make it a 'thing' that's a bigger deal than it needs to be

Your profile photo is the logo of "YOU, Inc." ❗ Let's explore the power and psychology behind a great profile photo 🔽 Yep, that tiny picture in the corner of your profile can make a world of difference in how you're perceived and how successful you are on this platform. The photo matters more than you might think. First and foremost, it symbolizes how you've chosen to show up. All part of the first impression you're making on potential employers, clients, or partners. You wouldn't show up to a business meeting or an interview looking disheveled and unprofessional, right? Well, your profile photo is the digital equivalent of that first impression. It reflects your professionalism, approachability, and personality. So, what makes a great LinkedIn profile photo? 1️⃣ Clarity and Quality Your photo should be clear and high-resolution. Blurry, pixelated, or poorly lit images scream unprofessionalism. Invest in a good camera or hire a photographer if needed. It's an investment in your personal brand. 2️⃣ Professional Attire Dress for the role you want, so wear professional attire that matches your industry and the image you want to project. A sharp suit, business attire, or even smart casual, depending on your field, can work wonders. 3️⃣ Background Keep it simple. A clean, uncluttered background is best. You want the focus to be on you, not the distractions in your surroundings. 4️⃣ Consistency Use a recent photo that accurately represents how you look now. You don't want to surprise someone at an in-person meeting when they realize you look nothing like your photo. 5️⃣ Professionalism Avoid selfies, vacation photos, or pictures that are too casual. This is LinkedIn, not Instagram. You want to convey professionalism and dedication to your career. 6️⃣ Head and Shoulders Your photo should ideally show your head and shoulders. Don't go too close or too far away. Your face should be easily recognizable. And most importantly, don't forget to SMILE 😊 Approachability is key, so show that you're a friendly, approachable professional. Now, you might be wondering, "Why does all of this matter?" 🤔 Studies show that profiles with professional photos are significantly more likely to get viewed and receive connection requests. It's a visual cue that tells others you take your professional image seriously. It humanizes your presence and provides a glimpse of the real person behind the experience, skills, and qualifications. People connect with people, not faceless profiles. Your photo sets the tone, conveys your professionalism, and influences how others perceive you. Don't underestimate its power. 🔽 🔽🔽 👋 Hi, I'm Graham. Thanks for checking out my Post. ➕ Follow me to see me in your feed 🔔 Hit the bell on my profile for Post notifications 💬 Share your ideas or insights in the comments 📚 DM me ‘SUCCESS’, for eBooks related to generating sales leads on LinkedIn #sales #marketing #socialmedia #strategy #business

Your LinkedIn Photo is You LinkedIn is a professional networking site, and while you certainly don’t want to shy away from letting a little bit of your personality shine through, when it comes to how you present yourself visually you need to be careful. You may think that a casual photo of you at a party with your friends showcases the fact that you are outgoing and friendly. However, a potential employer may take one look at the beer in your hand and decide you may be a liability rather than an asset. Fair or not, the truth is that potential employers, recruiters and networking contacts are going to look at your profile. Your LinkedIn photo is one of the first impressions that you will make on them. Regardless of how sharp your resume might be, if the image you've uploaded to the site paints an unprofessional picture of you few people are going to stick around to read it. Keep your headshot simple. Make sure you are dressed appropriately for the workplace. You don't want to be in a swimsuit or in a bizarre Halloween costume. Use your picture to help brand yourself as a professional. Also, keep shots of your spouse and kids out of the mix as well. During the interview process, employers are not allowed to ask you about your marital status, sexual orientation, or a myriad of other personal questions. There's no need to give them these answers and possibly eliminate yourself from consideration for a potential job just because your choice of picture couldn't keep its big mouth shut. Also, make sure to update your LinkedIn photo on a somewhat regular basis to reflect any changes in hairstyle or facial hair growth. When your interview is over and prospective employers go to the site to check out your profile you want them to recognize you. A picture is indeed worth a thousand words. Do your best to make those words speak highly of you. #linkedininsights #linkedinadvice #linkedinprofileoptimization #linkedinprofile #jobsearchadvice

🔍 Is Your LinkedIn Photo Telling the Right Story? 📸 As a headshot photographer with years of experience, I've seen firsthand the power of a great photo. Your LinkedIn profile photo isn't just an image; it's the first impression you make on potential employers, clients, and colleagues. It's a snapshot of your professional persona. Here are a few questions to ask yourself about your LinkedIn photo: Does it reflect your current professional image? Is it clear and high-quality? Are you dressed appropriately for your industry? Does it convey confidence and approachability? Is the background free of distractions? Your photo should represent the best version of yourself, showcasing your professionalism and approachability. A strong, authentic photo can make all the difference in building connections and advancing your career. If you're unsure about your current photo or think it's time for an update, feel free to reach out. Let's ensure your LinkedIn presence is as impactful as your professional skills! #cnyheadshots

A surprising Harvard study reveals elements in your LinkedIn photo can give you a hiring edge. A recent Harvard Business School study analyzing 63,000 job openings and the more than 160,000 freelancers who applied for them over a six-month period found that certain accessories or physical features gave you an edge in landing the job—even after controlling for race, age and gender. Glasses and a computer visible in the shot for programmers have appeal. Reading glasses and an artistic look give women an edge in graphic design. Some features in your profile photo may be distracting and detract from your profile pic: ↳ Children ↳ Pets ↳ Your significant other (Whose profile is it, anyway?) ↳ Your bro, who’s cut out, leaving a floating hand on your shoulder. Simpler’s generally better, and an engaging smile goes a long way. What do you think’s a must for LinkedIn profile photos? ________________ Hey there, it's Neil. 👋 I specialize in helping finance and tech pros land their dream jobs and navigate their careers through coaching, resume writing, LinkedIn optimization, and interview prep. 👉 Follow me - Neil Danzger, CFA, then 🔔 Ring my profile bell so you never miss a post. #careers #jobsearch #networking #interviewing #DanzgerGroup Image: Wall Street Journal