Is your LinkedIn profile photo creating the right impression?

LinkedIn is the largest online professional networking site. Often a potential client or employer's first introduction to you is through your LinkedIn profile. The image you present here is a powerful part of your personal brand & needs to create a good impression.

Many people do themselves disfavour by not using a high-quality, professional headshot on their LinkedIn profile.

Details matter. What does a poor-quality profile photo say to clients? If you don’t appear to care about the details of your own business image, why should a potential client trust you to install higher standards when dealing with their business? 

Consider how this lack of confidence could cost your business financially. 

If you want to be perceived professionally, you should look polished & professional. A professional headshot conveys this. Your headshot photo should show that you take your career & business seriously whilst showing the viewer who you are & offering a hint of your personality through your expression & your smile.

Mistakes to avoid with your LinkedIn Profile Photo

Selfies

A poorly-taken selfie taken on your camera phone will not create a great impression. It says you don’t care enough about yourself or your own business to invest in looking professional.

Holiday Snaps & Sporting Achievements

A snap wearing your swimming gear on a Caribbean beach, holding aloft a football trophy or crossing the finishing line of the London Marathon may look impressive but does not look professional. Whilst revealing what you are like as a person, these photos will not create the right impression with prospective clients & employers & should not be avoided.

Old Photos

Your photo helps potential clients identify you at first meetings. It’s important that your headshot photo is current & looks like you now. I get it, aging is hard, but a 10-year-old photo, whilst it might feel flattering, is inauthentic & does not encourage trust. I’d recommend updating your profile photo every two to three years. Or more frequently if your appearance changes dramatically.

When you consider how powerful your LinkedIn profile photo is as a marketing tool, it should be considered imprudent not to maximise its potential.

Is it time you updated your LinkedIn photo?

I am a photographer with over 10-years of experience in shooting business headshots. 

I specialise in creative, location-based portraiture working with a mixture of natural light & flash. Creating images suitable for use in print & across a variety of digital platforms, including; websites, LinkedIn, social media, blogs, personal brand, magazines, press & PR & company literature. 

You can see examples of my headshots in my portfolio

Get in touch if you'd like to have a chat about improving the impression your LinkedIn profile photo gives.