Is your LinkedIn profile photo inhibiting
your success?
Studies show time and time again that we quickly judge a person within the first few seconds of meeting them. We also judge a person by simply looking at their photo. When reviewing a photo of a person we have yet to meet in person, we ask ourselves a variety of questions in an effort to evaluate them. Does that person look like someone I would like to do business with? Do they look professional? Do they look competent?
To ensure that YOUR photo is being received in a positive manner, there are many factors to be considered when selecting an appropriate image.
Does the image represent your personal brand? Your personal brand or professional image is reflected in your headshot or LinkedIn profile photo. It is not a choice but a fact that people will assign descriptive terms to you when they look at your profile photo or headshot. What are three adjectives that you would prefer that your clients use when they describe you? These three words should be apparent when one looks at your headshot. Do you want to be viewed as competent, intelligent and professional? Would you prefer to be described as fun, easy going and relaxed?
Does your image present you in a manner consistent with your profession? If you are a white collar professional, does your LinkedIn profile photo show you at a picnic with a glass of wine in one hand and a hotdog in the other? Does is show you dressed in a business suit with a dress shirt, tie and jacket? If you are a professional attorney, financial advisor, banker, realtor, physician, etc. you should dress in business attire for the headshot used for your LinkedIn profile, website, or business card.
Is it a high quality, well light professional image? If you use an image taken by your wife with a cell phone in your dining room, your image will look like an amateur took it. The only thing worse is to cut your photo out of an image that had other people in the image. The viewer can always tell that you had done this bit of work with a scissors. The message to the viewer is always the same: you do not take your profession serious enough to have a professional portrait created by a competent photographer.
Are you exhibiting the appropriate body language in your image? Do you look open, confident and successful in your professional image? Or are you wearing dark glasses with a smug look on your face? The proper body language will ensure that those viewing you image will have a positive reaction to your photo.
Cynthia McIntyre Photography specializes in creating headshots and business portraits that get your noticed! Call 203-364-1592 to schedule a portrait session at one of her 17 portrait studios is CT and NY. Visit her main website for more info or to view samples of her work www.CynthiaMcIntyre.com
