10+ LinkedIn background photo ideas for freelancers

A great marketing opportunity. That is what the LinkedIn background photo or cover image/banner is!

It shows up first when people check your profile and spans over the entire page. It should at least describe what you do and align visually with your brand.

In this article, you get 10 tips and ideas for what you can feature on your background photo and examples by real freelancers; photographers, IT professionals, copywriters, business consultants, coaches and entrepreneurs.

1. Use a picture of something that connects yourself with what you do

Something rather easy and effective is simply to use an image that describes what you do.

Below are examples by Cruise and Ferry Photographer Mike Louagie, Writer Siobhan McGonigle and Network Engineer Danila Belous.

2. Brand it with your company logo, colours & pictures

Your brand sets you apart from your competitors. And makes it easier for people to connect you with specific expertise. A consistent communication style also makes you appear more professional and build trust. And trust brings business.

I recommend freelancers to get their visual identity developed by working with professional graphic designers, it really makes a difference in how you are perceived and makes it possible to charge more. Low on budget? Check out the templates in the graphic design program Canva.

3. Use text & keywords; e.g show whom you serve

Are you working with something more abstract which can't be captured easily with an image? Do like the B2B Business Developer Jean-Francois Bodart and use words to display what you do and whom you serve.

4. Add more than one image

Doing many things? Add more than one image to show this.

5. Feature yourself as an authority

Do you give talks? Have you written a book or published something? Do like Digital Marketing Strategist Helena Pynte and feature yourself with a microphone and audience. Or show your book with your name on it like ZigZagHR's author Lesley Arens.

6. Add credibility

Add brands of clients you have worked with, media mentions, the number of clients served, money/time saved...

7. Add an inspiring quote

Do like Sales and Customer Service Trainer Dominique Jansen or Mentor and Freelance Digital Strategy Consultant Adrien Willems and add a quote that is meaningful to you to your background image.

8. Show your value proposition/results

Marketing Strategist Anna Mulock Hower inspires companies to get faster results by hiring her.

The owner of the social media and content marketing agency Moondust and director of strategy Marie-Helene Dibenedetto shows they serve ambitious brands.

9. Be creative

Add graphs. Or art. Or your own creations. Or add a conversation starter, e.g a passion you have. Have you created something cool? Feature that on your cover banner! Do you do local business? Add your city and or country on the banner. Check out some examples by Marketing Change Strategist Koen Verbrugge and Information Designer Koen Van den Eeckhout

10. Add a call to action

Transformational Coach Andy Nijs and sales guru Michael Humblet both feature very clear Call To Actions in their LinkedIn banners. Michael even with a QR code.

10+. Put them all together.

Or be like Translation Agency Founder Sara Reyniers and Speaker Coach and Ceremony Speaker Stefanie Clinckemaillie - add many of these tips in the cover image!

More ideas?

Do you have or know about a cool cover image that should be featured in this article? Contact me!

Extra tips:

• Don't add your name, title, or headline to the banner, it's already mentioned on your profile.
• Test it on mobile too, text or images might get hidden under your profile pic.
• LinkedIn post idea: Show two or three options in a LinkedIn post and ask which cover image suits you better? You get visibility and valid feedback.
• LinkedIn post idea: Ask your network in a poll, give options of e.g. taglines, keywords and ask which describes you best. Again, visibility and useful feedback.

Want more tips on how to use LinkedIn as a freelancer?

Connect with me on LinkedIn, follow the hashtag #LinkedInforFreelancers and check out my workshops or book a 1-to1 session with me.

Check also my other freelance specific articles with tips for your LinkedIn profile:

• Effective LinkedIn headlines for freelancers. With examples.
• Do's and Don'ts for your LinkedIn profile picture (as a freelancer)
• What do you put in the About section of LinkedIn as a freelancer?