How a strong visual identity shapes your brand

Have you ever stopped to think about how others see you? Without even trying, you already have a personal brand. What words would friends or colleagues use to describe you? Knowing this can help you decide how best to represent yourself online.

Why is your personal brand important? A strong brand helps people remember you, trust you, and connect with you. Creating a consistent visual identity is one of the best ways to do this.

Choosing your profile photo for social media

Why is your profile photo so important? According to LinkedIn, profiles with photos get 14 times more views than those without one. It’s your first chance to make a good impression.

Should you use a logo instead? No. If you are a one-person brand, logos only work for company pages. A clear picture of you is best.

What kind of photo suits your industry? If you work in medicine, choose a professional look like a lab coat. For creative fields like music, a casual photo may fit your brand better. But, regardless of style, photo quality is key. Poor photos can hurt your brand.

What makes a great profile photo? Here are the essentials:

• Your face should take up 60% or more of the frame.
• Use good, natural light for clear visibility.
• Only you should be in the photo.
• Choose a simple, plain background.
• Keep it professional—no sunglasses or distracting props.
• Look inviting and approachable.
• Ensure clear quality; 400 x 400 pixels is ideal.

Let’s look at some great examples:

What should you put in your social media banner?

What does your banner say about you? It’s the second thing people see on your profile and sets the mood. A good banner tells visitors what you do and who you are professionally.

Should your banner be simple or creative? This depends on the image you want to project. A clean solid colour is professional and easy on the eyes. Creative industries may prefer a colourful or designed background.

What are some banner ideas? Here are a few to consider:

• A solid colour or simple abstract photo that matches your brand colours.
• A photo of you working, which shows your passion in action.
• A promotional image or company-related graphic for business branding.
• Your workspace, giving a peek into your professional life.
• A cityscape that reflects where you work or live.
• An image representing your current mission or focus.

Examples help illustrate these ideas well:

Are brand colours important for your visual identity?

Why do brand colours matter? Colours convey emotions and make your brand memorable. They help create a consistent look on your profile and when you post content.

Should you always stick to specific colours? Not necessarily. You can post varied content, but a consistent colour palette helps people recognise your posts quickly.

How do colours influence feelings? For example, orange blends optimism and passion, making it warm and friendly. Green suggests calmness and peace. Choosing the right colours can influence how people feel about your brand.

Look at successful marketers like Neil Patel. He uses the same colours on his LinkedIn posts and website. This consistency builds recognition and trust, tying all his content together.

Why share your personal story on LinkedIn?

It adds a human touch and makes your brand relatable.

What should you share? Focus on experiences that shaped your career, lessons learned, and even failures. Share your values and goals too. This shows authenticity and encourages people to connect.

Is it okay to share personal details? Keep it professional. LinkedIn isn’t Instagram or Facebook. Avoid oversharing but be genuine.

Here are topics you can discuss:

• Your path to where you are now.
• Your future goals and hopes.
• Achievements, but also honest failures.
• Your beliefs and core values.
• Lessons you learned from experience.

Look at posts like these for inspiration:

You can also watch this personal story post on LinkedIn to see a well-told story in action.

your representation

How should you represent yourself online? Accuracy is key. Be honest about your skills and experience. This builds trust and meaningful connections.

Is being professional important? Yes, it is. Highlight your strengths in a clear and respectful way. Avoid over-selling or being fake. Instead, post genuine content that reflects your true self.

Consistency across your profile — from photo to banner to posts — helps others recognise and remember you. Your visual identity is a powerful tool to grow your personal brand and reach your professional goals.