Now, obviously, I can’t give you everything you need to make a million dollars from LinkedIn in an article, or short video.

So if you want more in-depth information on how to use LinkedIn watch my free webinar, Discover the Untapped Power of LinkedIn to Build Your Business & Grow Your Downline.

It all starts with your LinkedIn profile picture.

Now you might be thinking, “I’ve heard that a million times.”

But hang on because I’m going to give you some new info, tools and techniques here that can make all the difference.

The single MOST IMPORTANT thing that’s going to determine if people connect with you or not, and if they ever see your profile is your LinkedIn profile photo.

Why?  Because no matter where your prospect is on LinkedIn, if they see you, they’re going to see your profile photo.

If they’re on their newsfeed and your post appears, your profile photo is there front and center.

If they’re doing a search for new connections, your profile photo is there.

If they’re going through their messages, their notifications, or their network, your profile picture appears.

AVOID this Mistake – The horrible headshot!

How do you create the best headshot for LinkedIn?

TECHNIQUE #1:  You and You ONLY.

LinkedIn is a business platform for professionals.  So what may be perfect for Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or any other platform may not be at all appropriate for LinkedIn.

Here are my top photo Do’s & Don’t’s:

• Look directly at the camera.
• Smile.
• Make sure your photo is a closeup.  Shoulders up or even closer.
• No hats or sunglasses.  Your prospect needs to see your face.
• Unless you’re in the alcohol or wine tasting industry, no drinking!
• No group shots.  This is YOUR profile.
• No photos of couples, business partners, families, kids, pets, etc.

TECHNIQUE #2:  Have a professional headshot taken.

Obviously, this requires a financial investment.  In my opinion, if you can afford it, it’s totally worth it.

However, with advances in technology there are lots of things you can do to create a fantastic profile photo without paying a pro.

TECHNIQUE #3:  Use Filters on Your Phone Camera

I’m always surprised at the number of people who aren’t aware of the filters on their camera phones.

The filters on phone cameras differ by brand of phone.

For each filter there’s usually also an option to change the intensity of the filter.

Test out the various filters and intensity levels on your phone to determine which one is going to work best to give you a bright, clear photo.

TECHNIQUE #4:  Use Canva to Size Your Photo

The profile photo size in LinkedIn is 400 x 400.

However, when you’re editing your photo in Canva it’s best to take it to the size of 1600 x 1600.

When you’re finished cropping and editing your photo, save it as a PNG file at the 1600 x 1600 size and it will fit perfectly into LinkedIn.

TECHNIQUE #5:  Use Canva to Add a Neutral Background

Having a background that doesn’t detract from your face and people connecting with you is really important.

Now that you’ve got your blank 1600 x 1600 canvas, chose a neutral background from the left side menu and simply click on it.

It will fill as a background on your blank canvas.

TECHNIQUE #6:  Use Canva for a Background Remover for Your Photo

Upload your photo into Canva.

Drag it onto your 1600 x 1600 canvas with the neutral background.

Choose Effects on the top menu.

Click on Background Remover on the top left side menu.

TECHNIQUE #7:  Use Canva to Crop & Resize Your Photo

Use the “handles” at the sides and top and bottom of your photo to crop it and remove any extra unneeded space around your face and head.

After you’ve cropped your photo, use the circles at the corners of your photo to drag it out to fill the 1600 x 1600 canvas.

TECHNIQUE #8:  Download Your Photo

Download Your Photo as a PNG file and save it on your computer in your pictures folder.

Simply click the download button on the top right corner of Canva.

TECHNIQUE #9:  Create a Variety of Headshots

Take several pictures of yourself.  What you’re wearing matters.

Using several different photos, remove the original background and create different head shots with different backgrounds.

TECHNIQUE #10:  Use Photo Feeler to Get Feedback

Go to https://photofeeler.com to test out how you come across in different photos.

Real human beings will vote on your photo for how…

• Competent
• Likable
• Influential

you appear to be in the photo.

If you’re looking to build a team and be a leader, you need to have as much credibility as possible.

It’s shocking how much we actually DO “judge a book by its cover”, even if we do it totally subconsciously.

So, if you think your profile photo doesn’t matter… it DOES.

Here are how several of my photos ranked on Photo Feeler.

Photo #1

Photo Feeler is a great tool to use for unbiased feedback that will show you how you’re being perceived.

If you want to really learn how to optimize LinkedIn to grow your business, you can get more information in my free webinar, Discover the Untapped Power of LinkedIn to Build Your Business and Grow Your Downline. 

Celebrating Your Success!

Gloria