Your LinkedIn Header is Free Marketing for You

Your LinkedIn Header is Free Marketing for You

Updated 11/3/2022

Can I let you in on a little secret? It's so simple that once I tell you, you won't be able to unsee it.

LinkedIn gives you a FREE billboard on your profile. Yes, free.

Your LinkedIn header is the equivalent of a free billboard you see on the side of the highway, and it's on every single person's LinkedIn account.

About half of the profiles I review on LinkedIn have the default: a gray/green background, which looks like a landscape flipped on its side. Like this:

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This is the default, unbranded LinkedIn header image. Change this asap!


Think about the last time you drove by a highway billboard that said "THIS SPACE AVAILABLE." If you have the above on your profile, it's basically the same thing.

Look at your profile right now. Do you have the teal blue dots/lines default image?

If so... YOU ARE WASTING AN OPPORTUNITY for PERSONAL BRANDING. (I'm a "tough love" kind of LinkedIn coach).


PRO TIP: change the default image NOW to something INTERESTING that aligns with your professional brand or your company brand.

  • You can simply upload an image to your LinkedIn header by finding a picture from your marketing department or a stock image website (I recommend Pexels.com or Unsplash.com).
  • Be sure that you check the alignment by viewing your profile from the desktop version of LinkedIn as well as the mobile view. You may find that something that works well on desktop has important elements (YOUR LOGO, for example...) that are hidden a bit on mobile. I created and use this template to guide me into the areas that are hidden by my profile photo on desktop and mobile. Feel free to right click and download it or share it with others. The dimensions are 1584x396px. I don't know of the exact position of the circle. I'm not a graphic designer. I use canva.com

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  • The ideal image size for your LinkedIn header image is 1584x396px. I use Canva.com to create images that are perfectly sized to these dimensions, and I export them from Canva to a png format to upload into LinkedIn.
  • The bonus when creating this LinkedIn header image in Canva is that you can create a message to lay on top of the image, as I have on my header image .

Just like a billboard gets boring and then becomes virtually invisible after you've driven past it every day for a month, people start to ignore your header image if you never change it. I tweak my header image every months with a new marketing tip, LinkedIn tip, or product/service/event I am highlighting.

Here are links to a few profiles containing LinkedIn header images that are done quite well:

Amanda Holdan-Sinisi https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/aholdan-sinisi/ .

Amanda uses an image of a mountain in the background. This gives me the impression she is a high achiever who enjoys challenges.

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Mountain image for a header on LinkedIn


Rob Fershtman: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/robfershtman/ . Without even looking at his profile, you know that Rob works in some type of international role. Cool image, isn't it?

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He's got the whole world in his hands

MiVida Burrus https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/mmburrus/ uses an image that is complimentary to her company's brand, but slightly different in color scheme.

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David Bann https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/davebann/ works for the Leader Dog organization. Who doesn't love puppies?

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Tanya Abreu https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/tanyaabreu/ has a cool bubble rainbow effect in her header. It reminds me of a garden globe.

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Chris Meller https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/chrismeller67/ (yes, he's my husband) is active in networking and recruiting and has a collage of photos. It shows variety in his brand.


Pam Majchrzak https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/pamelamajchrzak/ has a visually interesting color image that makes me think of patterns and energy. This aligns well with her job title and industry expertise.

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Greg Coyne https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/gregcoyne/ uses a branded image with his website. Even though you can't click the web address, you don't need to dig around his profile to find it.

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Craig Fry https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/craigfry/ illustrates his product with an eye-catching brand color background. I wonder if he could make me a #socialmediapie pin?

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These are just a few of the many LinkedIn header images I frequently cite during individual and team training sessions. I'm always on the lookout for other images, so if you have an interesting one, comment below.

Hopefully these examples and this blog provide some inspiration to you.

OK. So now you're convinced that you need to change your header image.

STUMPED on how to change it? You're not alone. Watch this video to learn how to change your LinkedIn header image. Or, contact your marketing department or me (see info below).

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Let's connect on LinkedIn:?www.dhirubhai.net/in/brendameller

Check out these related blogs:

Need help with LinkedIn??Contact me .

I specialize in optimizing LinkedIn profiles to maximize your impact - helping you drive more of the RIGHT audience to your profile and than keeping them there when they visit your profile. Now offering 1-to-1 LinkedIn coaching, Executive Profile Optimization, and LinkedIn team training for sales teams.

Visit https://www.mellermarketing.com to learn more.


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Simon Fawkes

Simple AI Transformation Expert | AI Black Belt Training | More Efficient, Engaged & Effective Teams

4 年

This is an excellent selection of LinkedIn header images.

回复
Debbie Friedman

I Help CEOs and Founders Get Leads From LinkedIn | Personal Branding, Thought Leadership & Ghostwriting | Co-CEO @ Purple Chia

4 年

Emily Gyenes Kirschenbaum - this reminds me we need to do it!!

回复
Cynthia Hutchison

Innovate & Accelerate Advanced Manufacturing | CEO of US Center of Advanced Manufacturing | Building a Better Future by Engaging Partners and Driving Change

5 年

Great advice Brenda and so well spoken. Thank you!

Lori Fox

I specialize in Personal Brand Photography helping camera-shy entrepreneurs increase sales & social media visibility. * Expert planning * Guided shoots * Powerful photos

5 年

BRB ... ?? running to check my header. Thanks for the great tips!

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