How To Project a Professional Image on Linkedin

In this blog post I want to take a look at how to project a professional image on Linkedin. 

When it comes to online profiles, Linkedin is known as the professional site for those serious about their business and building their network. With 313 million+ members, it’s the portal to connect with past and present colleagues, potential clients and investors. Your headshot has to project the right image from the moment people land on your profile. 

Let’s look at some examples of right and wrong:

The ‘Getting Ready’ Selfie.

Getting ready and having night out with your friends (and a glass of wine) might have been lots of fun but it’s not the selfie you want on your Linkedin profile.
What kind of image does it project to the potential business partner, investor or employer? Sure, it looks like you’re lots of fun but this kind of image needs to saved for Facebook (or Tinder!)

The ‘Filter Overkill’ Pic.

You’ve figured out how to take a selfie without doing it in the mirror but you’re certain it would look better with a funky filter. Similarly using a badly lit (over or underexposed) image does nothing for your reputation. 

Potential clients want to see the real you, and building professional relationships is about three core elements: know, like and trust. How can they do that if your image isn’t a true representation of who you are?

The ‘Over Familiar’ one

Of course you want to look warm, friendly and approachable but not too much! Think about your wardrobe as well, brightly coloured shirts over a cropped top can speak volumes to potential clients and investors. Could you take this girl seriously?

The Ideal Linkedin Profile Headshot

Any of the 3 images below are perfectly suited to Linkedin. These professional, warm and friendly headshots were taken at my studio in Leeds. 

[ngg_images source=”galleries” container_ids=”14″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_pro_masonry” size=”220″ padding=”10″ ngg_triggers_display=”always” captions_enabled=”0″ captions_display_sharing=”1″ captions_display_title=”1″ captions_display_description=”1″ captions_animation=”slideup” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]To arrange a free consultation on how professional, commercial photography can work for your business and elevate your social profiles call Mark Skeet Photography on 0113 882 3100 or email [email protected]

(With thanks to my model, Tillie Feather, for her help in producing these pictures. No models were harmed in the making of this post…)