LinkedIn Profile Pictures - Brand Yourself

Head Shots Not Only For Actors
 I want to encourage everyone to upload a professional photograph for their LinkedIn profile picture. These images can server four purposes.

1. It sends a subtle reminder to people that you are a real person and not an impersonal corporation. People like to deal with other people.
   
2. It can make meeting someone in real life easier. If you agree to meet with a potential client over coffee you don't need to wear a red carnation to identify yourself.
3. It will help remind past contacts who you are. If someone has not dealt with you for a couple of years and they see your profile picture it will trigger associated memories (hopefully good memories).
4. If you post LinkedIn answers, or use the same picture in other social media it will "Brand" you. Your clients and other people will begin to recognize you when they see your image on your blog, facebook, twitter or digg accounts.

Professional Head Shot

First impressions are important:  Professional head shots should be just that, professional. I would recommend that you got a professional portrait photographer. They will take a picture with good lighting and the image will look better than one from your friend's camera phone. (If you live in North East Ohio I'd suggest you contact Tom Szabo, I have used him to take portraits.)

Keep these things in mind when taking your picture. 

• You should be dressed in whatever clothes you would wear to visit a client. 
• The picture should be a close up. Whomever views your profile should be able to recognize your face. Remember LinkedIn profile images are 80px  by 80px ( and smaller on some pages).
  
• Relax, smile and have fun.

 My profile image is a close up. As you can see I've cropped it so that you can see my eyes and the top half of my face.

Image on Business Cards

You can get a bit more use out of your head shot if you place it on your business card. I'm not sold on the idea, but have been told that for many small businesses the owner is the brand. For that reason you want your image almost everywhere your company logo goes.

My business card does not have my image on it, and I'm wondering if it should. I've seen cards with and without the person's pictures. It seems like every realtor has their picture on their card, but very few people in my business have pictures on their cards. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts.