Does networking success depend on your profile photo?

Some LinkedIn® members think so.

Ready for My Close-up

A question posed in the Answers section of LinkedIn® asked members what they thought was the single most important part of their profile.

• My immediate thought was – the Headline – that brief description right under your name
• While others agreed, I was surprised by the number of responses for – Your Photo

Really? The single most important?

Here are the unscientific results (so far) —

• Headline – 31 percent
• Photo – 17 percent
• Experience – 14 percent
• Summary – 11 percent
• Recommendations – 9 percent
• Update/Status – 6 percent
• No one specific part – 6 percent
• Specialties – 3 percent
• Added Application (for uploading video) – 3 percent

Seeing the Connection

Listen to most social media “experts” and you hear a recommendation for including a professional photo on social media profiles.

I guess mine is professional.

• I’m a professional and I took it
• Okay, so stop looking at it that closely

I understand the need to feel connected to a real person. I’m the first to admit, I wonder why someone does not include a picture in a profile.

But, does that make a difference in how I assess their work?

I hope not.

Profiling Your Response

My first reaction was the responders did not catch the single most important part of the question.

But, then one was offended when someone made a joke about the “Photo” response.

He didn’t back down – and good for him – but merely reaffirmed his response.

I respect his (and all) opinions.

• I just want to know – Why?
• What do they do if they land on a profile without one?
• All things being equal, would they choose to do business with the person with a picture?

So, now it’s your turn.

• What would have been your response?
• Why do you think the photo is so important to some (and maybe to you)?

Talk amongst yourselves while I go out and find a good photographer.

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