Unless you are one of those fake profiles, you would not want to use a stock photo for your headshot on your profile. So why are you doing it with the most important piece of visual real estate you have?
One area of a LinkedIn in profile that is really under used is the header image. LinkedIn offers you a few stock photo options, but once you have seen a few of the same one on a few profiles that loses its effect quickly.
This probably more than any other area is a perfect place for you to communicate your personal brand.
Some of my clients have uploaded pictures of their personal passions, hobbies or pursuits. Alternatively some have used it as an opportunity to highlight parts of their personal brands from a professional perspective.
Part of the image area is covered up your profile but with some clever editing and a little trial and error you can get a very effective representation of you, your message and your brand, like mine above.
First here is the template to use so you know which areas are visible all the time and which ones may be covered depending on the device.
The total image size is 1400 px by 425 px. These are the custom dimensions you want to set up in a tool such as Canva.com or Youzign.com. Create your image and then upload it to the profile background header image.
Ask a couple of people to take a look from their computers (they do not show up at all on mobile) and there you have it.
Please let me know what you end up doing, I would love to see it.
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There are 22 key areas on your LinkedIn profile that you can edit and brand to stand out more. In fact a full personally branded LinkedIn profile can increase opportunities by up to 40 times according to LinkedIn. In our free report “5 Steps to Boosting Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn” you can get a head start – click here to access the free report.
Here is what one recipient had to say: “I think it is fantastic and extremely relevant. As you pointed out, my role has changed – but unfortunately, my linked in profile has not. I will be trying to put in place some of the ideas that you have offered.”
Image @PC Unlimited 2016