The word “professional” gets thrown around a lot on LinkedIn, and understandably so, given that it’s the professional networking platform. But when it comes to choosing the right photo for your LinkedIn profile, what does “professional” actually mean? For many, it brings to mind stiff poses and formal suits, but this traditional approach can sometimes backfire, creating a sense of distance rather than connection with your audience.
A “professional” profile picture doesn’t mean dressing up as something you’re not. It means communicating clearly and confidently to your prospects that you’re an approachable problem solver. While people aren’t likely to spend more than a few seconds looking at your LinkedIn profile picture, it’s those few seconds that could decide if they spend any more time on you at all.
So, what photo should you use for your LinkedIn profile picture?
Keep your LinkedIn profile photo clear
The thing that actually turns your LinkedIn profile picture from “ameteur” to “professional” is the quality of the photo. Blurry, poorly lit photos that are hard to make out also make it harder to build trust. People feel more comfortable when they have a face to attach to the profile they’re speaking to. So, anything that obscures your face is going to work against you.
The top three things to focus on for a picture that connects with your audience are…
Lighting: Natural light will always work best but the key is to make sure there are no harsh shadows hiding you or distorting your features.
Pose: The reason most people use headshots (photos that include head to shoulders) is because they offer the clearest view of you without being too close and imposing. Selfies also work as long as they are not heavily edited.
Clothes: If you work in a more conservative job (such as a lawyer or accountant) then it makes sense for you to wear something more formal like a suit. Other jobs, such as marketing, aren’t as limited. The best rule of thumb is to dress how you would for a client meeting.
For additional insights and examples on creating a standout profile photo, check out this guide on crafting a LinkedIn profile picture that gets results.
Check if your profile picture is visible
As well as making sure your profile picture is clear, you need to make sure it’s actually visible. Sure, your first degree connections will be able to see it. But to keep growing these connections, you need to make sure your 2nd degree connections can see it too.
To check this:
- Go to ‘Settings & Privacy’
- Choose ‘Visibility’
- ‘Edit public profile’
- Check that your profile picture visibility is set to ‘Public.’
Having a clear, visible and “professional” profile picture is essential for making a good first impression and connecting with your prospects. It’s a seemingly small part of your profile that will have a big impact on the relationships you’re able to form on LinkedIn. Follow this article and choose your profile picture with purpose to strengthen your chances of winning business online.
