Quick Tip – Your LinkedIn Profile Photo

Clear is better than artistic – Issue #50

Having a recent and recognizable profile photo on LinkedIn is essential. Why does it matter? Well, profiles with photos receive:

• 21x more profile views

• 9x more connection requests

• 36x more messages

However, not all photos are equal. Some people try to be a little too clever and artistic with their photos (e.g., using a cute cartoon avatar). Others use logos, a picture of their workplace, or some scenic shot.

But, most are just bad photos from the wrong angles, too far away, or too fuzzy. The worst offenders are those who never even bother to upload an image at all, so their name has a blank icon next to it.

Don’t make any of these mistakes with your profile photo:

• Photo of someone else

• Cartoon image

• Business logo

• Corporate building or office

• Landscape picture

• Side profile of your face

• Your whole body

• Wearing sunglasses

• Low resolution

• Bad lighting (too bright, too dark, shadows on your face)

• Zoomed in too close

• A selfie

• Too far away

• An old photo from years ago

• Frowning or scowling

• Including your pet or other loved one

• A party photo

The result when you use a poor photo of yourself is that no one would recognize you if they want to meet you at a networking event, for example. Let’s take these photos of men named John Smith. Which one would you recognize if you bumped into him at a conference? Note: Yes, these are actual profile photos I found on LinkedIn, and, yes, they are that tiny when you are viewing search results.

I would only recognize two of these people. I guess I might be able to recognize that guy’s bike. But, I certainly wouldn’t know the man who cut his head off in his profile photo.

What makes for a good photo on LinkedIn?

• Wear clothing similar to what you wear at work

• Have someone else take a high-resolution photo of you

• Face the camera directly

• Sit or stand in front of a background that isn’t too busy or distracting

• Be the only person in the shot

• Soft, natural lighting is best

• Have your face take up at least 60% of the frame

• Be relaxed and smile a little

If you’re struggling to pick the best photo for your profile, you could test a few versions. Photofeeler is a service that lets you upload multiple profile photos and have people vote on them.

You might be surprised by what you discover. For example, I found out that I should smile more in my photos. It increased my scores for being viewed as competent, likable, and influential.

I guess I can stop frowning now. 😉

How do you feel about your current LinkedIn profile photo?