Putting an inspiring or meaningful quote on your LinkedIn banner can be an effective way to share a bit more about your personality and values with your professional network. However, there are also reasons why you may want to avoid using a quote and opt for a more traditional banner instead. Here we’ll explore the pros and cons of using a quote on your LinkedIn banner so you can decide if it’s the right choice for you.
The Pros of Using a Quote
Here are some potential benefits of putting a quote on your LinkedIn banner:
It allows you to showcase your personality
Your LinkedIn banner is valuable profile real estate – it’s one of the first things people will see when visiting your profile. A quote allows you to give viewers a glimpse into your values, inspirations, or what drives you. It makes your profile feel a little more human and personal compared to just having your name and a headshot.
It can inspire and intrigue visitors
A thoughtful, inspiring quote will spark interest in those who see your profile. It gives an indication of your character and outlook. Intrigued visitors are more likely to click through to read the rest of your profile to find out more about you.
It serves as a conversation starter
An interesting quote can serve as a natural conversation starter between you and visitors to your profile. They may ask what the quote means to you or why you chose it. This helps make connecting with new people easier.
It allows you to share words that motivate you
We all have certain quotes or sayings that we find motivating and that push us to achieve our goals. Putting one of these quotes on your banner lets you share this mantra with others.
Pro | Explanation |
---|---|
Showcases personality | Gives viewers a glimpse into your values and what drives you |
Inspires and intrigues | Sparks interest in those who see your profile |
Conversation starter | Gives people something natural to ask you about |
Share motivational words | Lets you share quotes that push you to achieve goals |
Potential Cons of Using a Quote
However, there are also some downsides to keep in mind when deciding whether to use a quote on your banner:
It takes up prime banner space
Your banner’s main purpose is to display your name, photo, job title and company. A long quote takes up space that could otherwise be used to highlight this key information you want visitors to see.
Some may find it unprofessional
Quotes that are overly personal, vague or come across the wrong way may give some viewers the impression you lack professionalism. You never know how a quote might rub someone the wrong way or be misinterpreted.
It risks being cliché
Certain quotes and sayings have become overused and clichéd from people using them time and time again. You don’t want your banner to feel generic.
Visitors may not take the time to read it
Let’s face it – most people visiting your profile aren’t going to spend a long time looking at your banner. A long quote could go unread by the majority of visitors.
Con | Explanation |
---|---|
Takes up banner space | Prime banner area could highlight your name, job, etc. instead |
May seem unprofessional | Personal or vague quotes could be misinterpreted |
Risks being cliché | Overused, generic quotes lack originality |
May go unread | Most visitors won’t spend time reading a long quote |
Best Practices for Using a Quote
If you do opt to use a quote on your banner, here are some best practices:
Keep it short and succinct
A short, impactful quote is more likely to be read than a longer one. Stick to 1-2 sentences at most.
Make it relevant to your industry
Pick a quote related to your occupation or industry. This shows you have domain expertise.
Pick something uplifting and positive
Inspirational quotes with uplifting messages tend to resonate best.
Credit the source
If using a famous quote, credit the original speaker/author to avoid plagiarism.
Use quotes sparingly
Resist the urge to change your banner quote frequently. Pick one and stick with it. Too many quotes looks indecisive.
Best Practice | Explanation |
---|---|
Keep it short | 1-2 sentence maximum for readability |
Relevant to industry | Shows your domain expertise |
Uplifting and positive | Inspirational quotes tend to resonate best |
Credit the source | Avoids plagiarism of famous quotes |
Use sparingly | Too many quotes looks indecisive |
Examples of Good LinkedIn Banner Quotes
Here are some examples of quotes that make for an impactful, professional LinkedIn banner:
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
This inspirational quote from Gandhi conveys wanting to make a positive impact on the world. It works nicely for those in careers related to social change.
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs
Jobs’ quote on following your passions is perfect for creatives and innovators who want to inspire others to love what they do.
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.” – Helen Keller
For those who want to demonstrate a positive, can-do attitude, this quote from Keller hits the right notes.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Roosevelt’s inspirational words work well for entrepreneurs and visionaries.
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs
This pithy version of the aforementioned Steve Jobs quote gets the message across in a short, memorable way.
Should You Use a Quote or Not?
So should you use a quote on your LinkedIn banner? Here are some key considerations:
What impression do you want to convey?
Think about how you want people to perceive you and choose a quote aligns with that desired impression. Stay away from quotes that could portray you differently than intended.
Is your industry more conservative?
Some more traditional industries may frown upon using quotes in a professional context. Know your audience.
Do you have design skills?
Pulling off a quote gracefully takes some design expertise. If you lack creative skills, it may be better to skip the quote.
Are you using quotes elsewhere?
If you already have quotes in your profile summary or work samples, skip the banner quote to avoid overkill.
Here are some final recommendations on when to use a LinkedIn quote:
Situation | Recommendation |
---|---|
Want to showcase creativity | A quote can help express this |
Already have multiple quotes | Best to avoid overusing quotes |
Industry is very traditional | May want to skip the quote |
Poor design skills | Better to avoid quotes without design expertise |
Conclusion
A quote on your LinkedIn banner can be a nice way to express your personality, values and passions. However, you need to be selective in choosing the right quote – one that resonates with your target audience and makes the right impression. Keep it short, professional and relevant. And if in doubt, a traditional banner highlighting your credentials may be the safer bet. The most important thing is that your banner makes the impact you want it to on your professional network.