You can leverage LinkedIn photos to boost your online presence and establish a professional image. Find out how.
Creating a LinkedIn profile or page is at the core of establishing a professional presence online, but with the constant stream of updates, articles, and connections flooding your network’s feeds, how do you stand out?
You have to focus on finding ways to stop the scroll. Understanding the art of using stock images to make an impactful and memorable impression can help you do just that.
In this installment of our ongoing content series, Best Practices, we’ll be exploring the LinkedIn platform, the role of stock images, and how you can leverage LinkedIn photos to boost your presence.
Understanding the Impact of Stock Photos on LinkedIn
Establishing your professional image online, either personally or as a brand, can be a challenge. It requires you to blend your personal profile and a business presence. Stock images offer a way to add visual interest to your profile and your posts, without requiring an expensive or time-consuming custom photoshoot.
Stock libraries empower you to choose from a wide variety of images, so you can get the aesthetic you’re looking for in just a few clicks. These images can help you complete your profile, and making sure to fill in every detail is important.
Companies with a complete LinkedIn page see 30% more page views. In posts, these images can also help you get more attention and drive engagement. LinkedIn posts with images see comment rates that are two times higher than posts that only contain words.
When you license stock images to include as professional LinkedIn photos, you can expand your reach without overextending your resources. The key is to remember that the stock images you select have to strike a balance between feeling authentic to your audience and being professional.
Can You Use Stock Photos on LinkedIn?
Yes, you can use stock photos as part of your LinkedIn strategy, as long as you have the appropriate permissions to do so. After paying for a stock image, you’ll typically get a license. That provides you with the rights to use the image in specific ways, including social media platforms like LinkedIn.
Once you have purchased Shutterstock images, they become what is known as royalty-free. This means that you are granted copyright to the intellectual property as you see fit. That applies as long as you don’t use them in any way that contradicts the agreements you accepted with the platform you’re using.
For example, the LinkedIn User Agreement says, “We require that information posted by Members be accurate and not in violation of the intellectual property rights or other rights of third parties.” That means you need to understand your license rights and avoid using images in a way that could mislead your potential audience.
Best Practices for Using Stock Photos: LinkedIn Photo Tips
Once you decide to use stock photography on LinkedIn, how do you bring polish and professionalism to your profile? Use these best practices to ensure that the assets you select help you establish the reputation you want.
Understand the Anatomy of a LinkedIn Profile
Your LinkedIn profile has several key sections that require images to help convey your professional brand. Consider using stock photos strategically in these areas:
Profile Photo
This photo represents you personally and should be an authentic, high-quality headshot. If you don’t have a professional headshot, try selecting a stock photo and making it the background of the image you want to use.
License these images via New Africa, Great Bergens, momo sama, and Kira_Yan.
Cover Photo
This banner stretches across the top of your profile. It’s prime real estate for sharing your expertise and interests. You may use a blend of stock photos, text, and other graphics to personalize this section.
Summary
Here, you can tell your professional story in your own words. Think of this like the written version of your elevator pitch. Strategically placed images here can help reinforce key points and draw the reader in quickly.
Experience
Highlight the most important parts of your career path by uploading images to complement your listed roles and companies.
Visually showcase notable projects, products, events, or achievements related to each position.
Activity
What you post on the platform also supports the impression you create with your profile. Think about what aligns with your career and choose high-quality images to go along with the thoughts you post.
Know LinkedIn Photo Sizes and Aspect Ratios
Tailoring your images to suit the LinkedIn platform is one of the most important things you can do to make stock images work for you. Otherwise, you may end up adding blurry images that misrepresent your brand and look unprofessional to other users.
Keep these considerations in mind as you figure out the right LinkedIn photo size:
- Profile photo: 400 x 400 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
- Cover photo: 1584 x 396 pixels (4:1 aspect ratio)
- Summary: 590 x 296 pixels (2:1 aspect ratio)
- Experience: 250 x 250 pixels (1:1)
- Shared images: 1200 x 627 pixels (1.91:1 aspect ratio)
- Sponsored content: 1200 x 627 pixels (1.91:1 aspect ratio)
- Carousels: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
Ensure Industry Relevance
If you fill your feed or profile with generic shots, you run the risk of people scrolling right by. Instead, focus on choosing stock photos that are highly relevant to your industry. Ask yourself: What makes you unique?
To showcase that, think about the story that your stock image is telling and get specific.
For example, if you’re in the travel industry, focus on choosing photos of specific activities and destinations. That will be more effective than selecting an image of an airplane or a suitcase.
Consider Branding
The assets you select should be interesting enough to catch users’ eyes, but remember that LinkedIn acts as a direct connection to your professional image. How do you want people to perceive you and your brand? What qualities should stand out in the images you post?
Imagine: You’re part of a healthcare company that’s passionate about patient care. You may choose stock images that show medical professionals interacting compassionately with patients. This can help you tap into the emotions of viewers, giving them a glimpse into your core values.
You’ll also want to make sure the content is cohesive with any existing brand visuals to make your profile and individual posts memorable. Need help building or enhancing your brand? Use this downloadable small business brand kit to help you improve your professional image. No design experience required.
How to Enhance Engagement with Stock Photos on Linkedin
After you choose your stock photo, you need to know how to maximize their value on the platform. Use these tips to help your stock images shine.
Create Carousels
Want to tell your professional story or share insights in a visually driven format? Use stock images to help you form your carousels.
These native document posts get more clicks than any other post format.
License these images via Bjorn Oberg, Bjorn Oberg, and Bjorn Oberg.
Leverage Trends
If you’re not sure what you should post next, incorporate trending topics by looking at the LinkedIn News section. Then, pair your content with relevant stock photos to encourage conversation.
Be Inclusive
Adding descriptive captions and using the alt text feature in the platform empowers people who have trouble seeing images to interact with your content. Making your content accessible will expand your potential reach.
Add Your Creativity
Enhance your visuals with eye-catching fonts, filters, or branded elements to create the best LinkedIn photos. This will make your content more unique and sharable while also reinforcing your professional image. It’s a win-win.
Need help customizing photos? You can start editing the stock image you purchase from Shutterstock right on the licensing page.
Include a Call-to-Action
Encourage your connections or anyone else who discovers you through their feed to interact with your posts. Try asking thoughtful industry-related questions or inviting them to share your content with colleagues who would find it valuable.
See How Stock Images Can Power Up Your LinkedIn Presence
Now it’s your turn to amplify your personal or company page with professional photos for LinkedIn. We’ve covered the use of stock images, the importance of understanding licensing terms, and ideas to increase engagement. Select your stock photos and start posting to find what works best for your network.
Looking for more tips and LinkedIn photo examples? Read this guide to create an engaging LinkedIn cover
It’s never been easier to access everything you need in a single subscription. With Shutterstock Flex, you’ll have all-in-one access to our massive library, plus the FLEXibility you need to select the perfect mix of assets every time.
License this cover image via Amr Bo Shanab Images.
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