How to look professional in your LinkedIn profile photo.

Three tips on how to look professional in your LinkedIn profile photo.

So you want your Linkedin profile page to look more professional. A meaningful way to do this is to get a professional Linkedin headshot. It sounds pretty straightforward until you think about what looking professional actually means. Most people would assume it is putting on your best clothes, getting a haircut and smiling at the camera. But if you think about what your clients or potential customers want from you as a professional, you might want to change how you look in your LinkedIn profile photo.
Why do your clients use your business? Let’s assume it is because you deliver a quality service on time and at a competitive rate. Showing this in your Linkedin profile photo is how you will appear professional.
To do this, you will need to bring several factors together. Firstly, think about your facial expression. We have all been told as children that we should smile in portraits, and to this day, most people break out in a grin whenever a camera appears. Think about your business sector and decide whether it is appropriate to smile. If you are in the financial, legal or corporate services, would your clients want you grinning at them? A simple natural expression sits much better when you want to appear professional on your LinkedIn page.
Secondly, you are spending time and money getting a new Linkedin headshot so why not go out and get yourself a new business outfit. Also, if you are doing that, get your haircut. Stop; you need to look like yourself. We would suggest that you look like you are just going into a typical business meeting. Dress in everyday work attire, what you wear daily in the office. This way, you will appear normal to current clients and recognisable to any new clients upon meeting them for the first time.
Thirdly, think carefully about your background. Please don’t assume it is not essential as long as you look good. Get it wrong, and you will do more damage than good to your professional profile page. It needs to be a plain background or in an office environment. We have seen Linkedin headshots with boats, gravestones, fairgrounds and steam engines in the background. Your headshot background has to relate to your business sector, or it will hamper you looking professional in your LinkedIn profile photo.

City professional headshot for LinkedIn profile photos