Your profile picture is the first thing many prospective clients and business partners will see. Looking at this photo they will form their first impression of you. Is the photograph you have put up projecting you in the right manner? You need to make sure your profile photo is working for you and not turning people away.
Read to know how to make a powerful statement with your profile picture and the points you should keep in mind before uploading it on social media.
Since LinkedIn is a professional platform, you should use a professional photo of yours or your company’s logo. Upload a high-quality, high resolution photo with a simple white background. Remember the thumb rule; if your elbows are visible, you are too far away. Also, make sure that it is a recent photograph.
Dos
- A professionally taken headshot, in a business formal is the ideal choice
- The ideal configuration is 450 x 450 pixels
- Smile with teeth showing
- Head to shoulders or head to waist in frame
- Make sure to maintain eye contact
Don’ts
- Do not use photos where there are other people in the background
- Avoid casual attire
- Avoid images where other people are clearly cropped
Your Twitter avatar (profile picture on Twitter) speaks for itself. Choosing a clear professional image is the key. Your profile picture must communicate the essence of who you are.
Dos
- Put a high-quality image at least 500 x 500 pixels in size.
- Twitter will ask you to crop your image into a square, so choose accordingly
- Upload a close-up of your face with shoulders visible
- Make sure you’re smiling
- If you have a company with a logo, it is better to put that as a profile picture
Don’ts
- Avoid animations
- Do not change your profile picture frequently as it is part of your brand
- Select a picture that projects you, not the background
The cover photo and the profile picture hold equal importance when it comes to Facebook. Facebook is a bit more casual platform as compared to LinkedIn and Twitter. Ideally, advisors should create a separate Facebook page for their advisory business to increase their digital presence.
Facebook profile picture
Dos
- Put a high quality image of at least 180 x 180 pixels
- Upload a picture in front of a natural scenery, your work environment or even a coloured background
- Show your best side and tilt your head slightly
- Angle your body well
Don’ts
- Avoid taking picture in front of the mirror
- Eliminate all text
- Do not use stock photos
- Avoid head shots
- Avoid group photos
Cover photo
Your cover photo could range anywhere from an inspirational quote that your firm goes by, a tagline, to your logo. The use of your company logo is a great way to get prospective clients visiting your profile make a quick connection and recall the logo they perhaps saw on your company website.
