Your LinkedIn banner acts as a billboard for your personal brand. It’s one of the first things people see when they visit your profile, so it needs to make a strong impression. But with limited space to work with, what exactly should you put on your banner? Here are some tips on creating an effective LinkedIn banner that promotes your brand.
Highlight your value proposition
Your banner should clearly communicate what makes you unique and valuable. This is essentially your personal value proposition – your promise of the value you can deliver to others. Some examples include:
- Industry expert
- Thought leader
- Award-winning designer
- Global speaker
- Startup founder
The key is keeping it short, clear and descriptive. You want viewers to immediately grasp what you’re all about and why they should connect with you.
Showcase your expertise
Along with your value proposition, your banner should reflect your areas of expertise. This might include:
- Your job title or industry
- Key skills
- Certifications
- Knowledge areas
For example, if you’re a digital marketer, your banner could say “Digital Marketing Expert | PPC, SEO, Social Media.” This tells people you have expansive knowledge of major marketing channels.
Use a professional photo
Your profile photo is prime real estate for your face, so use the banner for a complementary professional photo instead. Some options include:
- Headshot
- Speaking on stage
- Working with team
- Client meeting
Aim for a high-quality, branded photo that shows you in a professional light. Just be sure your face is still clearly visible.
Showcase credentials
Displaying certifications, awards and other credentials on your banner lends you instant credibility. You can list abbreviations like:
- PhD
- CFP
- PMP
- CPA
Or, add logos of credentials like “Certified Financial Planner.” Just be sure they’re recognizable abbreviations so their value comes across.
Use inspiring quotes
Quotes are an easy way to communicate your philosophy and values. For example, a financial advisor’s banner could say “Let the journey begin” while a career coach’s banner might say “You have a choice.” Pick quotes that resonate with your field.
Promote content
Your banner prime real estate for promoting your best content. You can highlight:
- Newest ebook or whitepaper
- Most popular blog post
- Upcoming webinar or event
- Recent press mentions
This shows you actively publish valuable content and establishes your credibility.
Include a call-to-action
Don’t just share information on your banner – give viewers clear direction on what you want them to do. Some call-to-action examples include:
- “Download my free ebook”
- “Attend my upcoming webinar”
- “Book a free consultation call”
- “Connect with me”
Giving people a specific way to engage will boost clicks and conversions from your banner.
Optimize text for readability
Because banners have limited space, text needs to be concise and scannable. Follow these best practices:
- Keep text short – aim for 250 characters or less
- Stick to the most important 2-3 messages
- Use an easy-to-read font like Arial or Helvetica
- Make text large enough to read – at least 24px
- Use high contrast colors for text/background
- Include adequate spacing between text
With scannable text that’s visually engaging, viewers will absorb your banner content quickly.
Represent your brand visually
Images, colors, and other visuals on your banner should reflect your personal or company brand. Some options include:
- Incorporate brand logo and colors
- Use on-brand graphics like illustrations
- Display professional headshot if personal brand
- Show relevant lifestyle imagery or branded community
A banner that reinforces your visual identity will boost brand recognition and awareness.
Test different options
The great thing about LinkedIn banners is that they’re easily customizable. Take advantage by testing out different versions. Try:
- Different taglines or value propositions
- Various credentials and achievements
- New calls-to-action and offers
- Alternate photos and visuals
See which banner variations generate the most profile views, connection requests and engagement. Then optimize based on what performs best.
Check banner size requirements
LinkedIn has specific dimensions for banners to ensure proper fit:
- Desktop banner: 1400 x 425 pixels
- Mobile banner: 750 x 200 pixels
Design your banner at the proper size or it may get cropped or distorted. Also be sure your text and important visuals fall within the safe zones so they’re fully visible.
Update it regularly
Your banner should evolve as your career and business grow. Consider refreshing it every 6-12 months or when you have major updates to share. Reasons to update include:
- New job or business focus
- Major career achievements
- New awards, press or credentials
- Launching improved content or offers
- Poor performance of current banner
An updated banner keeps your profile feeling fresh and relevant.
Conclusion
Your LinkedIn banner is valuable profile real estate, so make the most of it. Showcase your value proposition, expertise and credentials. Use visuals that reinforce your brand. And drive action with strong calls-to-action. With a strategically designed banner that stands out, you’ll make a memorable first impression on visitors.
