Your LinkedIn profile banner is the first thing people notice when they visit your profile. It's a large space located at the top of your profile that can be used to showcase your personal brand and make a strong first impression. Here are some practical tips on how to change your LinkedIn profile banner to boost your personal branding impact.

Choose an image that represents your personal brand

Your LinkedIn profile banner should reflect your personal brand and what you stand for. This could be an image of your company logo, a picture of you in action, or an image that symbolizes your industry or profession. Choose an image that is high-quality, visually appealing, and reinforces your personal brand message.

When thinking about and creating your own personal brand, authenticity is key. Authenticity means being true to who you are, what you stand for, and what you deliver to your customers. It's about being transparent and honest in your brand messaging, and delivering on your promises.

Authenticity is the foundation of building trust and credibility with your target audience. When your connections on LinkedIn know that you are being genuine and honest with them, they are more likely to trust your brand (network with you or hire you) and develop a positive perception of who you are as a professional.

With a crowded job market, authenticity helps set you apart from other professionals. By staying true to your values and messaging, you create a unique identity that people can recognize and relate to. This helps create emotional connections between your brand on LinkedIn and your audience. When people feel that your brand is genuine and authentic, they are more likely to develop a deeper connection with you.

Size your image correctly

The LinkedIn profile banner dimensions are 1584 x 396 pixels. Make sure your image is sized correctly to avoid any distortion or pixelation. You can use free tools like Canva, Adobe Spark, or PicMonkey to create a custom banner that is the perfect size. Not sure how to use Canva to create your own brand? Check out this article here!

Keep it simple and uncluttered

Your LinkedIn profile banner should be simple, uncluttered, and easy to understand. Avoid using too many colors or graphics that could distract from your personal brand message. A simple image with bold lettering or a clean logo can be just as effective as a complex design as it’s likely to be memorable and stick in the minds of your audience.

A simple design is more versatile and can be used across multiple platforms and applications too. So if you are creating a larger brand beyond LinkedIn, going simple allows you to adapt to different sizes and formats for use in business cards, a website, and other marketing materials.

Remember, simple designs are more likely to be timeless and enduring. Trends and fashions come and go, but a clean and simple design can stand the test of time and maintain its relevance for years to come.

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Use typography wisely

Typography is an important element of your LinkedIn profile banner. Choose a font that is easy to read and complements your personal brand. Make sure any text you include in your banner is legible and stands out against the background.

There are many modern fonts to choose from, and the best one for your personal brand will depend on your individual style, industry, and audience. Here are some popular modern fonts I see on LinkedIn often:

Montserrat: This sans-serif font has a geometric, clean and modern feel that makes it popular for web and print designs. It is versatile and works well for headings and body text.
Open Sans: Another popular sans-serif font, Open Sans has a clean and elegant look that is easy to read both online and in print. It has a modern feel but is also versatile enough to work in a variety of applications.
Lato: This is a clean and elegant sans-serif font that is popular for use in branding and web design. It has a modern feel but also feels classic and timeless.
Raleway: This font has a unique, edgy style that makes it popular for use in headlines and logos. It has a modern feel and looks great on both digital and print designs.
Proxima Nova: This font has a sleek and modern feel that makes it popular for use in branding and web design. It is easy to read and has a professional look that works well for a variety of applications.
Avenir: This is a clean and modern sans-serif font that has a simple yet elegant feel. It is a popular choice for branding and editorial designs, as it looks great in both large and small sizes.

Optimize for mobile viewing

More than 60% of LinkedIn users access the platform from a mobile device. Make sure your profile banner looks good on mobile devices by previewing it on a smartphone or tablet. Avoid using small text or graphics that could be difficult to read on a small screen.

An extra tip for mobile optimization, be aware that mobile users are more likely to skim through their newsfeed, so it's important to make your posts shorter and more concise. Use bullet points, subheadings, and shorter paragraphs to make your posts more scannable and engaging.

Showcase your work

If you're a creative professional or artist, consider using your LinkedIn profile banner as a showcase for your work. This could include a portfolio of your best designs or images of your latest work. Make sure your banner reflects your personal style and reinforces your personal brand message.

Update your banner regularly

Your LinkedIn profile banner should be updated regularly to reflect any changes in your personal brand or professional identity, particularly if you need to update or refresh yourself during a job search. This could include a new logo, a recent award or accomplishment, or an image that showcases your latest project. Regularly updating your banner shows that you are actively engaged on the platform and reinforces your personal brand message.

Final Thoughts…

Changing your LinkedIn profile banner is a simple and effective way to boost your personal branding impact. By choosing an image that represents your personal brand, sizing it correctly, keeping it simple and uncluttered, using typography wisely, optimizing for mobile viewing, showcasing your work, and updating your banner regularly, you can make a strong first impression and stand out from the crowd.

As a career coach, I change my banner about once a quarter or every three months. I love exploring creative ways to continuously express who I am, what I do and why I do what I do. Give it a try, you will become a LinkedIn banner designer before you know it!

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Meet The Writer!

Hi! My name is Nadia Ibrahim-Taney and I help people design happy and fulfilling careers through authentic career coaching. My expertise includes career exploration guidance, resume writing, interview prep and LinkedIn profile optimization. My pronouns are She/ Her/ Hers and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I focus on how diverse identities impact and influence folks holistically and professionally. Please connect with me on LinkedIn or at Nadia@beyonddiscoverycoaching.com

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How To Change Your LinkedIn Profile Banner To Boost Personal Branding Impact