LinkedIn is one of the only social media platforms where you only get one shot at a first impression. And this can have significant consequences for your pay packet.
In this article I will share with you the most common mistakes and how you can easily fix them. And I offer you a LinkedIn profile picture review to maximise your Personal Brand.
LinkedIn First Impressions
Facebook and Instagram are all about the great photo and many of them. It is also not really a business platform. It is where you can display your awesome life, apply filters when you want and wait for the “likes”.
LinkedIn is a different platform, it is all about your career and your achievements. LinkedIn gives you only a tiny one and a half centimetre “first impression” photo opportunity and in that small space you have to nail it.
Many people you connect with, you may have never met and may never meet in person. But you may sell your services to them, apply for your next amazing job or inspire them to connect with you.
Your profile photo is all you have and within seconds, your “future” connections have made up their mind. Do they like you, trust you, want to connect with you, regardless of your capabilities. This is called the power of the First Impression.
As I am doing “LinkedIn profile picture research” over the last weeks, I come to the conclusion that there is much room for improvement.
Here are some common LinkedIn profile picture mistakes:
- Profile pictures taken at a party, award dinner or in nature. Too much distraction takes away from the impact you make. Plus you don’t want to be seen as a party animal. Even though you may have picked up an award for being the best in your field. No one will know the difference. Plus a guy in a dinner suit or tux does not look very professional. Leave those shots for your Instagram account.
- Background is too dark and you look too overexposed. The darkness will always win when it comes to contrast. That is where the focus will go, instead of you and your lovely smile.
- Background and your features all blend into one. Especially when you are fair with a white background without much make up on (for ladies) for not much hair (for men). Darker skin and a dark background have the same (non) effect of blending into one.
- There is too much body in the photo. Read below of what body parts should be in or out so you look most effective.
- You cut off the top of your hair in the photo. Your photo should have at least a few mm of space between the top of your hair and the top of your photo. It is all about balance.
- Please only one person in the picture. Yes I have seen a few profile pictures where there are multiple people in the shot. How will we know who you are? They might be your favourite colleagues or business partners but this profile is about you.
So, what does your LinkedIn profile picture say about you?
If you would like my expert opinion from a professional brand and personal style perspective, keep reading for the offer below.
Here are some tips for an effective LinkedIn profile picture:
- Invest the time and money to employ a professional photographer. The photographer has the lighting, background and knows how to make you look great, relaxed and professional. Often it comes down to tiny nuances in chin, shoulders and chest positions. If you need help with finding the right photographer please email me. So I can connect you some really great people who know their stuff.
- For women I recommend you include hair and make up in this budget so you look your best. If you need help with finding the right hair and make up artists please email me.
- Wear one colour in your photo. This is called a block colour. Pick a colour you know you like to wear. Guys, if colleagues in your industry and your clients do not wear a tie then don’t in the photo. This is what I do best, sourcing clothes that make you look great so if your wardrobe needs some new key pieces, email me!
- Smile through your lips and your eyes! You may be totally out of your comfort zone. But for that 20 minutes until the photographer has the “shot”, you just have to work it. Sending a smile through your eyes and lips will definitely do wonders for your career. The right photographer will make you feel comfortable and crack a few jokes so you don’t even know when the shot is taken.
- For the perfect balance of body parts in the photo without too much background you will need to learn about your Vital V. This starts at the chest bone, goes up to your shoulder and over the top of your head. If you can start with these areas looking great in the shot then you are on a winner.
If you would like my expert opinion from a professional brand and personal style perspective, here is what I will offer you:
Send me your profile photo via email to [email protected] and I will give you my feedback on how you can match your image with your capabilities.
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