Quick Answers
Both photos and videos can be great additions to your LinkedIn profile and posts. Here are some quick pointers:
- Profile photo: Use a professional headshot of just you for your profile photo.
- Background photo: Choose an image that represents your brand, industry or interests.
- Video posts: Post short, engaging videos to share ideas, demonstrate expertise, etc.
- Photo posts: Images can make your posts more eye-catching and memorable.
- Variety is key: Mix up photo and video posts to keep your content fresh and interesting.
- Quality over quantity: Focus on great visuals rather than posting too frequently.
- Relevance is important: Make sure your visual content aligns with your brand and goals.
Should You Use a Photo or Video for Your Profile Picture?
When it comes to your LinkedIn profile picture, experts recommend using a professional headshot of just you. Here’s why:
- It’s recognizable. A close-up photo shows people exactly what you look like.
- It’s personal. A picture of only you (not you with others) helps people connect your name and face.
- It’s credible. A professional headshot makes you look polished, trustworthy and credible.
- It aligns with LinkedIn’s purpose. LinkedIn is for professional networking, so your photo should reflect that.
Some additional tips for your profile photo:
- Use a current, accurate photo. Keep it updated every few years.
- Look at the camera with a friendly smile. Avoid odd facial expressions.
- Wear professional attire, neat grooming, minimal jewelry.
- Ensure proper focus, lighting, resolution. Avoid grainy photos.
- Do: Head and shoulders in frame. Don’t: Sunglasses, hats, other people.
While videos can be great for posts, stick with a professional headshot photo for your main profile picture.
Examples of Good LinkedIn Profile Photos
Should You Use a Photo or Video for Your Cover Image?
Your LinkedIn cover image (also called a background photo) is the large banner image that appears at the top of your profile. Here are some tips on whether to use a photo or video:
- Photo: This is most common. Allows you to showcase a visual that represents your brand, industry, company or interests.
- Video: A background video can be eye-catching but may load slowly. Keep videos short and muted.
- Visuals should be high quality with no text or logos. Image size is 1584x396px.
- Represent your professional brand creatively through images, graphics, colors, etc.
- Avoid busy, distracting or inappropriate images. The focus should still be on your profile content.
Some examples of effective background photos:
- Industry imagery (e.g. healthcare technology for a nurse’s profile)
- Conference photos or events you’ve spoken at
- Infographics you’ve designed
- Photo of your work office
- Award ceremonies or professional achievements
- Company logos or branded designs
Aim for visually appealing background images that give added context about your brand and expertise.
Examples of Good LinkedIn Cover Photos
Should You Post Photos or Videos to LinkedIn?
Both photos and videos can make great additions to your LinkedIn posts. Here are some tips on when to use each:
Photos
- Make posts more eye-catching and memorable.
- Display infographics, illustrations, designs, etc.
- Showcase products, services, work samples.
- Highlight photo moments from events, conferences, talks.
- Use photos of yourself, colleagues, workplaces, etc. sparingly.
Videos
- Bring your message to life through motion and sound.
- Share demos, how-tos, explainers, animated content.
- Create quick video messages to directly engage your audience.
- Post webinars, conference talks, interviews, testimonials.
- Keep videos short and focused (ideally under 5 minutes).
Tips for Visual Content
- Ensure proper lighting, framing, resolution (HD is best).
- Add text overlays to highlight key ideas/quotes.
- Leverage both portraits (9:16) and landscape (16:9) formats.
- Edit videos with intros/outros and graphics to improve pacing and branding.
- Use descriptive captions to provide context and optimize for discovery.
Aim to frequently incorporate visual content into your LinkedIn posts for more engaging social media marketing.
What Types of Photos or Videos Perform Best on LinkedIn?
Certain visual content tends to consistently grab attention and spark engagement on LinkedIn.
Top Performing Photo Types
Photo Type | Description |
---|---|
Infographics | Display data, stats, tips, workflows visually |
Quotes | Share inspirational or timely quotes over images |
Behind-the-scenes | Give a peek at work culture and environments |
Top Performing Video Types
Video Type | Description |
---|---|
Expert talks | Record presentations, panel talks, webinars |
Employee spotlights | Interview team members, thought leaders |
Experiments/demos | Showcase innovations, products/services |
Leveraging these proven engaging photo and video styles can help you stand out and get more reactions.
How Frequently Should You Post Visual Content on LinkedIn?
When strategizing how often to post visual content to LinkedIn, aim for quality over quantity. Here are some best practices:
- Profile photo: Update every 2-3 years or if you significantly change roles/companies.
- Cover image: Change up every 6-12 months to keep it fresh.
- Photo posts: 2-4x per month is ideal for most profiles.
- Video posts: 1-2x per month, as producing quality video takes time.
- Avoid posting too frequently or inconsistently. This can overwhelm followers.
- Monitor engagement and refine your posting cadence based on what resonates best with your audience.
Additionally, consider creating a content calendar to plan out your photo and video posts in advance. Mapping out your visual content strategy will help ensure you consistently post engaging, high-quality imagery.
Example LinkedIn Visual Content Calendar
Week | Type of Post | Post Topic/Content |
---|---|---|
Week 1 | Photo Post | Behind-the-scenes team event |
Week 2 | Video Post | New employee spotlight video |
Week 3 | Photo Post | Infographic on industry trends |
Planning your photo and video posts in advance will help you sustain momentum.
How Can I Create Quality Visual Content for LinkedIn?
Here are some tips to create engaging, professional visual content for your LinkedIn profile and posts:
Photos
- Use a quality camera or smartphone. Shoot in high resolution.
- Ensure proper focus, framing, and lighting. Capture crisp, clear images.
- Edit photos using apps like Adobe Lightroom to refine color, crop, etc.
- Shoot photos specifically formatted for LinkedIn (1584x396px cover images).
- Use Canva, PicMonkey, etc. to easily design infographics, quote images, etc.
Videos
- Use a 1080p HD camera or smartphone. Ensure steady, smooth shooting.
- Frame subjects properly and check lighting, audio quality.
- Edit videos in apps like Adobe Premiere to insert intros/outros, graphics, trim clips.
- Produce videos optimized for LinkedIn including square 1:1 format.
- Add captions, subtitles and show notes to enhance accessibility.
Investing in quality visuals tailored for LinkedIn will help your content stand out in the feed.
Conclusion
Photos and videos are extremely effective ways to boost your LinkedIn presence.
The ideal approach is to use a professional headshot for your profile picture, an on-brand image for your background photo, and a healthy mix of engaging photo and video posts.
Aim for high-quality, relevant visual content shared consistently, but not too frequently. Put effort into production and creative strategies.
Curating eye-catching photos and videos designed specifically for LinkedIn can help you reach and resonate with more professionals in your industry.