- Rebecca Tomasis
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 6 hours ago
Your LinkedIn banner is the first thing visitors see when they land on your profile and it’s an often-overlooked opportunity to make a strong, lasting impression. Whether you're showcasing your personal brand, representing a business or simply trying to put your best foot forward, a well-designed LinkedIn banner with thoughtful graphic design can speak volumes.
This article will spotlight creative ideas, outline what every effective LinkedIn banner should include and address common questions to help you design a banner that supports your personal marketing strategy and takes your LinkedIn profile to the next level.
17 LinkedIn banner ideas
Feature a city skyline to highlight your career roots or location
Include a motivational quote to express your values and inspire others
Show professional tools to represent your industry expertise
Highlight team members to emphasize collaboration and community
Offer a behind-the-scenes view for authenticity and transparency
01. Show yourself at work to convey passion and expertise
A banner showing you in action can immediately communicate your dedication to your craft. Whether it’s a candid shot of you brainstorming in a meeting, enthusiastically working on a project or immersed in your passion, these images can humanize your profile and make your work feel tangible.
Look for photos that feel genuine, not too posed. A graphic designer might show themselves sketching or editing, while a marketer might use a lively photo from an event. Adding subtle design elements around the image can also make it visually engaging without overwhelming the simplicity of the shot.
Learn how to edit photos effectively to create captivating visuals that enhance your professional profile.
02. Celebrate accomplishments to showcase your dedication
Your LinkedIn banner can act as a virtual trophy shelf. Include snapshots or visuals of award ceremonies, certifications or completed projects. This serves as a quick highlight reel of your achievements.
For example, say you’ve won a regional award for your work. Pair an image of the award itself with a subtle overlay of text describing what the award was for. This way, anyone viewing your profile will know you’re accomplished without needing to dig through the rest of your profile sections.
03. Use intriguing visuals to spark curiosity
An eye-catching design or intriguing visual element can make your LinkedIn banner memorable. Try using optical illusions, abstract art or unique photography that reflects your industry or personal brand.
For instance, if your work revolves around innovation, a futuristic design or a creative depiction of ideas coming to life can convey this beautifully. Keep the digital design clean and avoid clutter to make it easier for people to focus on the intriguing details.
04. Incorporate brand elements for instant recognition
If you represent a company or personal brand, incorporating its logo, colors or tagline can strengthen your professional identity. Consistency in branding reinforces familiarity and showcases professionalism.
For example, a content creator can carry over colors and fonts from their personal website to their LinkedIn banner. Similarly, a small business owner can use their own logo along with visuals of their product or service.
Learn more: How to design a logo.
05. Share your mission to foster connections and alignment
If your work revolves around a mission or cause, your LinkedIn banner can reflect this purpose. Use text alongside a clean, visually appealing background to concisely state your mission.
For example, a professional in renewable energy might feature the text, “Building a sustainable future,” alongside an image of a lush green field and wind turbines. This can create a sense of alignment with like-minded individuals and businesses.
06. Highlight special offers to attract attention
For entrepreneurs and small business owners, your LinkedIn banner can double as a mini-advertisement for your services. Highlight any special promotions, free consultations or exclusive deals directly in your banner.
Use bold typography and minimalistic design to ensure the offer is the focus. For instance, “Get a free 30-minute strategy session this month” could be the perfect call to action.
07. Use impactful words to emphasize your role or skills
Sometimes, a simple text-based banner can speak volumes. Use clean, bold fonts to emphasize what you’re known for or the value you bring—great for job seekers or those building a personal brand.
Examples could include phrases like “Creative Storytelling Advocate” or “Bringing Data to Life.” Pair this text with a subtle background design that complements the message.
08. Add a call to action to inspire engagement
A clear call to action (CTA) communicates exactly how someone can engage with your skills or services. This is especially useful for marketers, freelancers or consultants seeking to generate leads on LinkedIn.
For example, your banner might say, “Looking for a marketing strategist? Let’s connect,” paired with your contact details or a relevant graphic.
09. Feature a city skyline to highlight your career roots or location
If your career is tied closely to a specific city or region, a skyline banner can root your profile in that location. This works particularly well for real estate agents, event organizers or those working in industries tied to local markets.
Select a high-quality image of the skyline, ideally during a visually impactful time of day like sunrise or twilight. Pair it with your name or tagline to create an elegant and location-specific banner.
10. Include a motivational quote to express your values and inspire others
A well-chosen quote can convey your values, highlight your personality and inspire those viewing your profile. Pair meaningful words with a complementary background image to make the banner feel authentic.
For instance, if you’re in project management, a quote like, “Strategy is the art of execution,” could align with your profession while inspiring viewers.
11. Show professional tools to represent your industry expertise
Feature imagery of tools or equipment directly tied to your work, whether digital or physical. A software engineer might show snippets of code, a writer could use an image of a typewriter or keyboard and a photographer may showcase their camera gear. Tools make your expertise immediately identifiable, building credibility.
12. Highlight team members to emphasize collaboration and community
Collaboration is often a vital part of professional success. Include a photo or graphic that highlights your team to underscore your role in larger projects and your ability to work well with others.
For instance, feature a well-shot group image of your team alongside a tagline like “Building success, together.” This can especially resonate with clients and companies seeking collaborative professionals.
13. Promote your product or service with compelling visuals
For those operating a product-based business, showcasing the product creatively can be extremely impactful. Use professional imagery, lifestyle shots or even dynamic flat-lays to feature what you’re offering.
A coffee brand might show steaming cups paired with beans, while a tech company could display sleek images of their app interface. Ensure the images are high quality to make the product visually appealing.
14. Showcase testimonials to build trust and credibility
Featuring text or visual snippets of customer testimonials and reviews within your banner is an excellent way to communicate trustworthiness and previous successes. Keep the text concise—just a sentence or two that highlights key points—and pair it with a clean design that doesn’t distract from the testimonial itself.
15. Align with seasons to keep your profile fresh and relevant
Rotate your banner periodically to feature seasonal themes. This shows that your profile is active and keeps it visually interesting for returning visitors.
For example, during the winter holidays, you might add subtle snowflakes or other seasonal elements to your banner. Keep these thematic touches subtle and professional.
16. Offer a behind-the-scenes view for authenticity and transparency
Include imagery of your process, workspace or creative efforts to give your audience a glimpse behind the curtain. A content creator might feature a candid shot of video editing in progress, while a baker might show pastry prep. Transparency builds trust and intrigue.
17. Use bold typography to make your message unforgettable
A simple banner with bold, oversized fonts can make a powerful visual impact. Choose a message that represents your brand, mission or expertise and ensure the typography is clean and easy to read.
For example, “Putting ideas into action” could make a perfect banner message for project managers, while “Designing solutions that matter” works for UX designers.
Discover what is typography and how it can elevate your brand to make your message stand out.
What your LinkedIn banner should include
An effective LinkedIn banner does more than look appealing; it should also spark interest and reflect your professional persona. Here are the essentials to include.
Contact information
Whether you're job-seeking or networking, a clear display of your name and professional title ensures visitors instantly understand your role. Choose a font that reflects professionalism without sacrificing readability. Avoid overly stylistic designs that may compromise legibility.
High-quality visuals
Your banner image should be eye-catching and of high quality, as it's the first thing visitors will see. Whether you choose to feature an image of yourself, your work or a visual representation of your skills, ensure that it is clear and visually appealing.
Complement your profile picture
Your banner should work cohesively with your profile picture to showcase yourself as a professional. Consider using complementary colors, fonts or styles to create a cohesive look.
Consistency with branding
Make sure your banner aligns with your branding on other platforms like your website or business cards. This consistency helps build brand recognition and makes it easier for potential clients or employers to recognize you.
Explore additional design ideas for more inspiration:
LinkedIn banner ideas FAQ
How often should I update my LinkedIn banner?
It depends on your goals. If you’ve rebranded, taken on a new role or want to keep your profile looking fresh, consider updating your banner every few months.