7 Visual Branding Tips for LinkedIn Profile 2024

Want to stand out on LinkedIn in 2024? Here's how to nail your visual branding:

1. Profile Photo: Use a high-quality, professional headshot

2. Banner Image: Create a custom banner showcasing your brand

3. Work Samples: Highlight your best projects in the Featured section

4. Brand Colors: Choose 2-3 colors that represent your professional identity

5. Fonts: Stick to readable fonts and consistent formatting

6. Tools: Use apps like Canva or Adobe Express for design help

7. Regular Updates: Keep your visuals fresh and current

Why it matters:

• 40% of LinkedIn's 830 million users check the platform daily

• Over half of brand first impressions are visual

• Profiles with photos get 14 times more views

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Choose the Right Profile Photo

Your LinkedIn profile photo is your digital first impression. It's crucial - profiles with photos get 14 times more views than those without. Let's explore how to nail your profile pic in 2024.

Photo Requirements

Here are the key technical specs:

• Size: 400 x 400 pixels (ideal), up to 7680 x 4320 pixels

• Format: PNG or JPG (no GIFs)

• File size: Under 8MB

• Face coverage: About 60% of the frame

Photo Setup Tips

Now, let's make your photo pop:

1. Nail the lighting

Good light can transform your shot. Lydia Abbot from LinkedIn says:

"Natural lighting is ideal for LinkedIn photos. It's flattering and gives a warm, approachable feel to your image."

Face a window indoors or find open shade outdoors for the best results.

2. Keep the background simple

Choose a clean, non-distracting backdrop. A plain wall or slightly blurred office setting works great.

3. Dress the part

Wear what you'd sport to work or an interview. Solid colors usually look best on camera.

4. Smile naturally

Research shows smiling makes you appear more likable and competent. A genuine smile with teeth visible scored highest in studies.

5. Get feedback

Ask a trusted friend or colleague for their honest opinion on your photo.

6. Consider going pro

A professional headshot can be a smart investment if your budget allows.

7. Stay current

Keep your photo up-to-date. Austen Hunter, a headshot pro, advises:

"Your LinkedIn photo should be updated at least every two years, or whenever you've had a significant change in appearance."

Create a Strong Banner Image

Your LinkedIn banner is prime real estate. It's the first thing people see on your profile, so make it count. Here's how to create a banner that shows off your professional brand in 2024.

Banner Size Guide

Get these dimensions right for a polished look:

• Personal profile: 1584 x 396 pixels

• Company page: 1128 x 191 pixels

• Aspect ratio: 4:1 (personal), 6:1 (company)

• Max file size: 8 MB

• Formats: PNG, JPEG, or GIF

Pro tip: Design with a "safe zone" of 1546 x 423 pixels. This keeps your key elements visible on all devices.

Colors That Pop

Your banner colors should match your brand and send the right message. Here's how:

1. Stay consistent: Use colors that match your personal brand. If you have a logo or website, borrow those colors.

2. Think psychology: Colors trigger emotions. Blue says "trust", while green might mean "growth."

3. Make it readable: If you add text, make sure it stands out. Dark on light (or vice versa) works best.

4. Keep it simple: Stick to 2-3 main colors. Don't overwhelm your viewers.

Shashank Shalabh, CEO of Omnidigit, says:

"Your background image is a perfect place to highlight social proof or achievements."

So, why not show off your awards or key stats that prove your expertise?

Stefania Sigurdson Forbes from GravityHub adds:

"Using an image that represents the impact you're trying to create in your career can elevate your professional image beyond your basic job title or role."

Are you a financial planner? Maybe use an image of a peaceful beach or a growth chart to show financial freedom.

Your banner should work with your profile picture. Tell your professional story at a glance. Liz Jeneault from Faveable.com suggests:

"A picture of an office space, desk or work environment is a simple way to connote professionalism."

But don't be afraid to get creative. Speakers might use a stage photo. Creatives can showcase their work. Make it uniquely you.

And keep it fresh. Update your banner often to show your latest wins or career focus. It proves you're active and growing in your field.

Show Your Work Samples

Your LinkedIn profile isn't just a digital resume. It's your portfolio showcase. In 2024, visual content rules, and LinkedIn's Featured section is your spotlight.

Set Up Your Featured Section

The Featured section is prime real estate on your profile. It's where you show off your best work. Here's how to make it stand out:

Pick 2-5 items that really show what you can do. Mix it up with PDFs, images, links, and videos. This variety highlights different skills.

Keep it fresh. Update monthly with new projects or achievements. Each item should have a short, punchy description. Tell people what it is, why it matters, and what impact it had.

Put your best work at the top. Maybe it's a big project you crushed or an article that went viral.

"We refresh our Featured section monthly with new product launches and user stories. It keeps our profile dynamic", says Akshay Kothari, CPO at Notion.

Sarah Johnson, a graphic designer, shows off her Nike logo design. She includes a quick case study about the process and the 30% boost in brand perception it achieved.

Keep Your Look Uniform

Your Featured section should look put-together. Here's how:

Pick 2-3 colors that match your personal brand. Use them across all your featured content. Stick to one style - minimalist, bold, or creative. Just keep it consistent.

Make custom thumbnails for links and documents. Use the same font and formatting in all your descriptions.

"I use Canva to create matching cover images for all my featured articles. This consistency has boosted engagement with my content by 25%", shares Jason Miller, Content Marketing Leader at LinkedIn.

Pick Your Brand Colors

Choosing colors for your LinkedIn profile isn't just about looks. It's about creating a visual identity that clicks with your audience and shows off your professional brand. Here's how to pick colors that match your professional image in 2024:

Choose Your Main Colors

Start by thinking about who you are as a professional and what you want people to feel when they see your profile. Here's how:

1. What's your brand personality? Write down three words that sum up your professional brand. Are you innovative? Trustworthy? Energetic? These will guide your color choices.

2. Color psychology matters. Different colors spark different feelings. Blue? It says trust and professionalism. Green? Growth and balance.

3. Think about your industry. Some fields have go-to colors. Finance often uses blue for stability. Eco-friendly brands? They love green.

4. Stand out from the crowd. Check out what colors your peers are using. Find a way to be different, but still fit your field.

5. Make sure it's readable. Your colors should look good and be easy to read on all devices, even for people who have trouble seeing certain colors.

"Color choice might seem small compared to your value prop or content strategy. But don't forget: color matters." - Color Psychology Expert

Use Colors Across Your Profile

Got your brand colors? Great. Now use them everywhere on your LinkedIn profile:

• Profile photo background: If your photo has a background, try using one of your brand colors.

• Banner image: This is prime real estate. Create a custom banner with your colors.

• Featured section: Use your brand colors in the thumbnails of your featured content.

• LinkedIn article covers: If you write articles on LinkedIn, make covers that use your brand colors.

• Visual content: Any charts, infographics, or images you share should use your color scheme.

The key? Be consistent. Use your brand colors everywhere, and you'll create a visual identity that sticks in people's minds.

"Use colors strategically on your LinkedIn profile. You can spark specific feelings and connect with your audience without them even realizing it." - LinkedIn Branding Specialist

Pro tip: Use a color palette generator to create a set of colors that work well together. Aim for one main color, one or two that complement it, and a neutral shade to balance things out.

Text and Font Choices

Your LinkedIn profile's text and font choices can make or break your online presence. Here's how to nail it in 2024:

Pick the Right Fonts

LinkedIn doesn't give you many font options, but you can still make smart choices:

1. Stick to the basics: Use LinkedIn's default fonts like Arial or Calibri. They're easy to read on any device.

2. Size it right: Use 11-12 point for regular text and 14-16 for headings. This makes your profile easy to skim.

3. Be consistent: Pick one font and use it everywhere. It looks more professional.

4. Get creative with formatting: LinkedIn doesn't let you use bold or italics, but you can use symbols for emphasis. Try:

   • "⇨" before key accomplishments

   • "★" around important statements (e.g., "★ Open to new opportunities ★")

5. Use white space: Break up text with line breaks. Hit "Enter" twice at the end of each paragraph.

6. Add some bullets: Use bullet points (•) to list skills or achievements. But don't go overboard.

"Using the right font can help you stand out from the rest of the candidates and keep your resume from getting ignored." - Goldie Chan, Personal Branding Expert

Remember, if people can't read it easily, it doesn't matter how cool it looks. This is especially true now that more people are checking LinkedIn on their phones.

"The beauty of type lies in its utility; prettiness without readability serves neither author nor reader." - James Felici, typography expert

Pro tip: After you update your profile, check it on both your computer and your phone. Make sure it looks good on both. This extra step can make a big difference in how recruiters see your profile.

Helpful Apps and Tools

Your LinkedIn visual branding needs to shine in 2024. Here are some tools to help you create a profile that stands out:

Podify.io

Podify.io is more than just a pretty face for your LinkedIn profile. It's a powerhouse for growing your audience and boosting engagement.

What makes Podify special?

• It turns your PDFs and videos into LinkedIn posts. Say goodbye to hours of content creation.

• It uses AI to figure out what your audience likes.

• It sends your content straight to your followers' inboxes. Hello, visibility!

Podify's plans:

| Plan | Price | What You Get |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Starter | $17/month | 5 Communities, 50 Credits, AI Comment Writer |
| Growth | $27/month | 8 Communities, 125 Credits, PDF to Post feature |
| Professional | $97/month | 12 Communities, 250 Credits, VIP Communities

But Podify isn't the only player in town. For visuals, check these out:

Canva: It's like a playground for creating LinkedIn banners. With a ton of stock photos, you can whip up a pro-looking banner in no time.

"Canva is like a black hole of creativity. Once you start, you can't stop. It's addictive, but in the best way possible." - Canva User

Adobe Express: Need a LinkedIn banner ASAP? Adobe Express has got your back with its free online banner maker.

"Adobe Express lets you create a custom LinkedIn banner in minutes. No design degree required." - Adobe Express

Pixelixe Studio: This free tool doesn't even ask for your email. Perfect for quick, eye-catching LinkedIn post graphics.

These tools can help you step up your LinkedIn game. Mix and match to find what works for you!

Conclusion

Let's recap the key points to keep your LinkedIn profile shining in 2024:

Your LinkedIn profile is your digital first impression. It needs to stand out in today's competitive landscape. Use consistent colors and design across all visual elements to reflect your professional brand.

Keep your profile fresh and relevant. Salina Yeung, author of The Ultimate LinkedIn Profile Checklist 2024, says:

"First impression matters. Your profile is the first place where your target audience can get to know more about you."

To maintain a strong visual brand:

• Update your profile photo every two years or after significant appearance changes

• Refresh your banner image to match current professional goals and industry trends

• Review and update your entire profile twice a year

Matt Mahmood-Ogston, who helps mission-driven founders build impactful brands, points out:

"It's easy to let our profiles get stale, but taking the time to update and refine them can make a big difference."

Your LinkedIn profile isn't set in stone. Julie Bauke, a Career Happiness Consultant, adds:

"An up-to-date profile photo that makes you look like the best version of yourself is a great way to signal that your ideas are up-to-date."