LinkedIn – Page 4 – Croixstone

Customize Your LinkedIn Background Photo

In follow-up to previous blog posts, we are highlighting another topic in the ongoing series of articles in Forbes entitled “The Baby Boomers Guide to LinkedIn.”

The third topic in the series shifts focus to your LinkedIn Background Photo.

Rule #1 – Customize Your Background Photo/Banner
Take the time to customize your background photo/banner. You are not a “generic” professional, and it is vital that your presence on LinkedIn sends the right message. By customizing your background photo/banner, you are also demonstrating that your understanding of tech and social media is “current”.

Rule #2 – Choose the Right Image for Your Personal Brand
Choose a background image that supports your personal brand.

Rule #3 – Choose an Image that Complements Your LinkedIn Headshot
Pick an image that works well with your LinkedIn headshot. You may need to do some trial and error experiments to get this right.

Rule #4 – Know the Right Size
The size of your background photo/banner should be 1584 wide x 396 high. Canva is a great tool to use for sizing of photos for social media purposes, and it is free.

Click here for more tips and to learn how Bill Gates has customized his background photo!

LinkedIn Photo Tips

In February Forbes launched a series of articles entitled “The Baby Boomers Guide to LinkedIn”. This series provides great insights for the highly-experienced professional.

The second article in the series focuses on 5 things to know about your LinkedIn photo (and, yes, you MUST include a photo on your profile). Here’s what you need to know:

1. Headshot Only
Nothing else should be in the picture but your head, neck, and possibly the top of your shoulders.

2. Professional Attire
You want to convey the right professional image so choose your outfit carefully. For men: the formal business suit and tie is not seen much on LinkedIn unless that is your normal workday attire. These options are recommended instead: dress shirt open with jacket works very well for a classy look; dress shirt and tie; or just a collared dress shirt with a sweater or dress shirt. No casual shirts, short sleeve polos or t-shirts. For women: a plain solid color outfit works best. Solid color dress, jacket, sweater or blouse.

3. Smile
It is best to smile to show enthusiasm and zest for life.

4. Lighting
Poor lighting can make any of us look older. Outdoor lighting can be advantageous – especially on a cloudy, overcast day.

5. Background
A plain background is best and less distracting.

Learn more here.

LinkedIn for Baby Boomers

LinkedIn is an essential tool for all business professionals to use. There is both art and science to building and sustaining an impactful LinkedIn profile, and the navigation between these two elements can be tricky – especially for highly experienced professionals.

We love that Forbes magazine has published the first article in a brand new series of articles named “The Baby Boomer’s Guide to LinkedIn.” Read the first article in the series that presents strategies baby boomers can deploy to fight age discrimination on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn Live Launched

LinkedIn recently launched its first live video tool, giving people and organizations the ability to broadcast real-time video to select groups or to the LinkedIn world at large.

Launching in beta first in the U.S., LinkedIn Live (as the product is called) will be invite-only. In coming weeks, LinkedIn will also post a contact form for others who want to get in on the action. Learn more here.

Blockchain Disruptor

LinkedIn, the social network that currently boasts 560 million members, works hard to monetize all of those profiles with sales of data to third parties. While the professional networking site continues to grow in size, there are many who believe the LinkedIn business model is ripe for disruption. Omar Zaki, a Yale graduate and CEO of MYBS (pronounced “moe-bee-uh-s”) is one of those disruptors. Learn how MYBS believes that blockchain is the key to disrupting LinkedIn’s business model here.

New LinkedIn Feature…QR Codes

As a holding of Microsoft, LinkedIn continues to evolve and add new features. Here’s something new to try at your next networking event. On June 28, LinkedIn added a QR code generator to help professionals swap details when they are not already connected on the social media platform. LinkedIn suggests that the QR code can effectively become the replacement for the business card for people at in-person events. Read the LinkedIn Blog to learn more.

How Microsoft’s Acquisition of LinkedIn Affects You!

Last year, Microsoft purchased LinkedIn, the world’s largest networking and job search platform, for $26 billion. LinkedIn now has more than 500 million members, and its job platform hit a record 10 million jobs posted. Why did Microsoft buy LinkedIn? LinkedIn provides Microsoft with vast data to fuel its machine learning and business intelligence strategies.

Learn about the benefits of the Microsoft/LinkedIn acquisition here.

Coming soon, a new version of LinkIn’s app that will match you up with a mentor…read about it here.

Dive deeper into LinkedIn’s newer features here.

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