As a Linkedin member, group manager, sales professional, and potential hiring employer. I have to say that profile pictures do matter! I am amazed at the number of people on Linkedin, which is a business professional site who do not have a profile picture posted. Instead they choose to leave it empty or with some alternate pic or logo.
Here are the reasons to have a profile picture:
- Allows your network to put a face with a name. Which is important as most people “think” in pictures.
- It is an additional identifier of you and your brand. Again people associate “brand” often times with pictures.
- Pictures communicate a message, is your picture communicating the right one? Putting a profile picture on your Linkedin space that is 20 years old or one less than professional does not communicate a good message.
Often times in the Linkedin space you may have a well written profile, but if you have no picture. You automatically leave viewers suspicious which requires more time many people do not have to find out more about you. In addition many will not spend ANY time to learn about you or respond to your request, as you appear to be less than forthcoming or do not take your professional profile seriously.
To learn how to put a “professional profile” on Linkedin along with other Linkedin Power Strategies join us for this “no cost” webinar here. The next webinar is August 20th 4pm Eastern. Be sure to register to learn when the next one is available.
Randy Schrum
Grow your professional network fast here.
August 11, 2009 at 12:16 am |
[...] 2. A picture is worth a thousand words. Have you loaded your picture on Linkedin yet? See my recent article. [...]
August 6, 2009 at 5:11 am |
I strongly feel that yes a lot of us think in a very picturesque way,and having an image of yours with your credentials alongside is like “icing on the cake”.
God Bless.
August 4, 2009 at 4:00 pm |
Having read the previous comments it looks like personal preference.
My preference was to have a company logo where my picture should have been.
I got told off by LinkedIn so changed it.
I thought that as this was a “Professional” networking site ie for Professionals that instead of various pictures of people I’ll probably never meet from Southampton to San Francisco, Mumbai to Moscow that my Company Logo was good.
The Logo exists because Marketing people say these are a good idea and “branding” is everything – even LinkedIn has a Logo.
Also my company pays for my subscription so it’s only fair they should be visible.
But no, a Company Logo is deemed “inapropriate” – Yep, read that back and consider a Professional Networking site that deems that type of content “inapropriate”
I’m still smarting and I still don’t get it. I asked LinkedIn why and they said that only pictures of me were allowed – How do they know what I look like?
It’s a bit silly really.
July 28, 2009 at 3:23 pm |
I agree that including a professional picture of yourself is a helpful addition for those you are connected to on linked in as well a useful addition for those searching for you (especially those with more commonnames).
I like your thought about the picture relating your personal brand. This almost demands another question: What does your profile picture say about you and your brand?
July 28, 2009 at 3:03 pm |
Well i think that it’s depends if we know the person or not. if i know the person it’s dose not matter, but a nice photo helps bring more reality and connective
July 26, 2009 at 4:54 pm |
I do not believe a picture is all that important. I use my initials as I believe in privacy. Just to play “devils advocate” but, [not to start any debate as I believe it is more a personal preference] if you apply for a job on company websites or career builder, I have yet to find the spot for “post current picture here”.
For those that post pictures, that is also a preference and I would not say a word negative on that choice either. I just prefer not to use my picture.
July 24, 2009 at 5:14 pm |
Its professional, and having my photo posted has been a plus on occasion. For instance, people have pulled up my pic while on the phone, and vice versa.
July 20, 2009 at 12:29 am |
[...] 2. A picture is worth a thousand words. Have you loaded your picture on Linkedin yet? See my recent article. [...]
July 17, 2009 at 9:25 pm |
Another point to consider is that if you don’t have a complete profile and your name is pretty common, it also helps some old colleagues to get back in touch with you.
I tried to get back in touch with some old colleagues only to find 15 “John Smith” in the approximate location and industry their working, and with only the last position in their profile. A picture would help find the right one.
July 17, 2009 at 2:42 am |
I agree with Randy. I think a nice photograph helps bring more reality and professionalism to the connectivity, and communications. I feel more in touch when I am corresponding to someone with a ‘face’.
July 17, 2009 at 2:23 am |
profile pics are good-heck realtors use them all the time, so they must be good.
if you don’t like the way you photograph, find a fun stock image or avatar to substitute. It’s better to have something than nothing…
July 17, 2009 at 1:45 am |
I would bet that many people do not have a good pic of themselves or they don’t think they do.
I, personally, do not consider myself photogenic and I believe if I put a pic up, that I would be passed over due to the pic.
Catch22 here.
July 17, 2009 at 1:54 am |
Teri, I would recommend spending $10 to $20 to get some local mall picture place to do some professional pics for you. Be creative in thought on ways to take pics that could be applied in the social space. If you feel that the picture still needs work, have someone do just a “little” photo shop to clean it up.
~Randy
July 14, 2009 at 8:50 am |
I think as a “Professional Website” the Company logo should be sufficient. Use a Piccy if you want to but Logo’s exist for a reason.
Unfortunately LinkedIn consider a company logo “inappropriate”. If you want a Profile at 100% you are forced to submit a photo.
July 14, 2009 at 12:41 pm |
Steve, the purpose of the Linkedin Profile is for individuals, not the corporation/ company. Linkedin has an entire section devoted to that.
All the best
~Randy
July 13, 2009 at 2:18 pm |
Let’s also reflect on the photo’s that are posted. Having you under a tree, where the TREE is the most dominate figure in the picture is a waste. Or as you mentioned “avatar” or cartoon – I don’t get it.
Truthfull – profiles that are done this way question the possibility of what is professional? And in some cases does influence concepts on the validity of using such a tool.
Do it right or why bother…
July 13, 2009 at 3:47 am |
Worth a 1,000 words . . .