LinkedIn has become an invaluable tool for networking and promoting yourself professionally. With over 722 million users worldwide, LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network. Having an impressive, professional-looking LinkedIn profile is crucial for making connections and standing out to potential employers and clients. One way to create an eye-catching profile is through designing a stunning LinkedIn background photo mockup. A LinkedIn mockup allows you to showcase your brand, products, services or designs in a realistic mockup created using graphic design tools. This gives viewers a visual preview of what your brand has to offer. Read on to learn exactly how to make a custom LinkedIn background photo mockup from scratch.
Why Use a LinkedIn Mockup?
Here are some of the key benefits of using a LinkedIn mockup:
- Showcases your brand visually – A mockup gives viewers a realistic preview of your brand, rather than just descriptions.
- Creates a professional impression – A mockup shows you have invested time into your brand image.
- Draws attention – Mockups make your profile stand out in LinkedIn searches.
- Brand awareness – Viewers will become more familiar with your company and offerings.
- Versatility – Mockups can be tailored to specific brands, designs, products and services.
- Customizable – Mockups can be changed out regularly to match new product launches, designs etc.
In summary, a LinkedIn mockup is a powerful branding tool that makes your profile appear polished, thought-out and professional. Investing in a quality mockup is well worth the effort and will elevate your brand visibility.
Step 1: Determine the Purpose
The first step when creating a LinkedIn mockup is to determine the purpose and goals you want to achieve with it. Here are some key questions to consider:
- What do you want to feature or highlight?
- Are you featuring a specific product, service, or design?
- Do you want to create brand awareness?
- Are you launching a new product or rebranding?
- Do you want to drive traffic to your website or LinkedIn page?
- How can the mockup best represent your business?
Having clear goals will dictate what kind of image or mockup you need. Know who your audience is and what you want them to take away or do after viewing the mockup. This thoughtful planning forms the foundation of an effective LinkedIn mockup.
Step 2: Design the Mockup
Once your purpose and goals are defined, the design process can begin. There are two main options for creating a LinkedIn mockup:
Option 1: DIY Graphic Design
For a DIY approach, you will need graphic design skills and access to design software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva or GIMP. Here are some tips:
- Search for a template or inspiration online to use as a starting point.
- Gather high-quality logos, product photos, graphics and branding elements.
- Layout the different elements in an eye-catching composition following brand guidelines.
- Use mockup templates of devices, paper, business cards, app screens etc. to showcase branding.
- Add graphics, colors, overlays and text that represent your brand identity.
- Save the file in web ready formats like JPG, PNG or GIF.
DIY allows full creative control but requires design expertise.
Option 2: Hire a Graphic Designer
For excellent results without the skill requirement, consider hiring a freelance graphic designer. Benefits include:
- Saves time and effort.
- Works with you to achieve your vision.
- Provides expertise on best practices.
- Has access to high-quality tools, assets, mockups and templates.
- Manages the project until completion.
- Offers unique perspectives and ideas.
Online marketplaces like Fiverr and Upwork offer access to talented, affordable designers. Provide clear instructions and brand assets to achieve the perfect mockup.
Step 3: Optimize the Mockup
Once you have a draft mockup, it’s time for finishing touches:
- Resize – LinkedIn cover images display at 1536x768px so resize accordingly.
- Sharpen – Add filters like unsharp mask to sharpen details.
- Enhance lighting – Adjust brightness, contrast and highlights.
- Add text – Include concise branding, slogans or calls-to-action.
- Compress – Reduce the file size for quick loading.
- Save – Save as a JPG for best results.
Also, review the image on both desktop and mobile to ensure it looks visually appealing on all devices. Making these small optimizations gives your mockup maximum impact.
Step 4: Upload to LinkedIn
Once finalized, it’s time to upload the mockup to LinkedIn:
- Access your LinkedIn profile.
- Click on the pen icon to edit public profile & settings.
- Select “Background photo” under profile photo.
- Click Upload Image and choose your mockup JPG file.
- Position/crop the image as needed.
- Click “Save”.
The mockup will now display on your LinkedIn profile for all to see. Update it regularly to match your brand initiatives and seasonal offerings.
Step 5: Track Performance
To assess the impact of your shiny new mockup, utilize LinkedIn analytics:
- Monitor profile view count weekly to compare before and after.
- See who has engaged with your profile and mockup.
- Check for upticks in new followers and connections.
- Track engagement metrics on updates that feature the mockup.
- Look for more comments and post reactions.
- Measure increased traffic to your website or sales.
Analyzing these metrics helps you understand the ROI and refine the mockup.
Conclusion
Creating an eye-catching yet professional LinkedIn mockup provides huge value in promoting your brand or business. The steps include determining your purpose, designing the mockup either DIY or professionally, optimizing the file, seamlessly uploading to LinkedIn, and tracking performance over time. Investing in this small visual addition to your LinkedIn presence can elevate your profile, increase credibility, and get your brand seen by thousands of connections. So start designing your mockup today to take your LinkedIn branding to the next level.