10 ways to dress up your LinkedIn profile with a compelling image
What kind of picture would you advise for my profile? Because people often raise the issue, I have created a folder with examples of portraits and background images that I find interesting. Visual information is very effective as we all know, perhaps even more than all the words we use to portray ourselves on LinkedIn.
I am not saying these examples are all flawless and I won’t choose a favorite. As you all know succes in communication must be measured against the goal behind the effort. So what works best for you is always personal. But these ten people chose options for their pictures and headers that can be useful for others. They combine elements and/or make clever use of color. By doing this they work around pictures of offices, meetings, sessions, documents
This post is especially for all of you who love their work and careers and want to tell the world about it but are lacking interesting images. These examples can help you find a good solution.
When these 10 examples make you think of other, even better ones, please let me know.
1. Comic book style plus quote
I am a nice, modern guy in the digital scene, is the message of this cyber security consultant with his comic book head. The style of this illustration indicates a young, informal world. The advantage of an illustration is the surprise because the portrait photo is the standard. Remember that a drawing always creates more distance than a portrait photo in which you look a visitor in the eye.
The background space is used for a quote. By choosing black and white the reader can easily concentrate on what is written there.
2. Color area
Even the most minimal way of dressing up your profile is effective. As this color area shows. This designer made the trick more fun by using more colors. Yet, she lets the law of simplicity do its work!
3. Portrait with color filter
The orange-pink color filter in the portrait goes well with the gray-white photo illustration. Good taste and user-friendliness can be expected, this front end developer is telling you. The photo montage with the lightbulb also promises smart insights.
4. The flow chart
A flow chart makes it possible to highlight several themes. Additional advantage: a diagram indicates grasp of a complex subject. This makes the flow chart part of the language of the consultant, the smart person who has oversight. Watch out for too many elements. And when using an existing chart, take care to make it fit into the (challenging) rectangle of LinkedIn’s background area.
5. Illustrations
When for some reason you can not show a photo of your professional universe, there is also the option of an illustration. Not only useful for a Chief Technology Information Officer who looks into the future, an illustration is actually ideal for many professionals. The result is aesthetic — well, do hire someone with talent ! — and you can combine elements that in reality can never be captured in a single photo.
6. Lively background color
The cheerful yellow indicates energy. This UX designer says: it is no punishment to have me on your team. If you use such a color for the portrait, pay attention to how it combines with the larger the background area. The funny thing here is that the boring surface that LinkedIn delivers as a standard has for once added value: it matches so nicely with the yellow and the blue clothing in the portrait.
7. The collage
This art expert and consultant is lucky to have such beautiful art pictures as daily images at hand. Most people don’t. The main point of this example for all those who’s daily visual menu is less interesting, is to show the possibilities of a collage. For example, you can use it to show the width of a professional portfolio.
8. The location
If you have an exceptional working environment, a good background image will not be hard to find. But make sure the panorama really speaks for your work and/or professional ethics. This city governor says: I am proud of my city. That is a good message, befitting his profession. But a lovely village by the river while your work is in non-life insurances may create the impression that you would rather walk outside than sit behind your desk.
9. Newspaper headlines
How do you claim a topic? This labor market expert does that in a clever variation on the collage form using headlines about robots and other labourmarket issues. With headlines you can show you are the owner of a serious contemporary issue.
10. Exception to the rules
A friendly smile and an easy to understand main title are recommended as a rule. This LinkedIn coach is the exeption. He has created a mini story. He looks at us cynically because of all the bad profiles he has seen. This is of course also a way to appeal to potential customers who fear that their profile may be one of them. The logo as a background image is not fancy nor subtle but effective for those who want to boost a brand name.
PS. Do you see your profile page here and would you rather not … mail to petra@petraterdoest.nl. Please mail me as well, when you think you have an worthwhile example to add.
https://petraterdoest1.medium.com/open-up-your-network-76da537445cb
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Read more about Petra ter Doest and what she can do for you on her website.
