One summer activity I’m currently enjoying is increasing my LinkedIn connections. I’ve had LinkedIn for years but didn’t take the time to understand it. It seemed boring and came across as slightly insincere because I despise vague corporate sayings like “Dynamic solutions.” 🥴

However, I’ve found that LinkedIn has some aspects that are agreeable to my current stage in life.

1️⃣ The user experience. It’s not visually overstimulating.  I enjoy clean lines and restful graphic design.  Obviously, you can’t beat a book 📖 for this experience- ha- but in the social media category, LinkedIn does well with this.

2️⃣ The pace. It’s not frenzied. You can like and comment on someone’s post from three weeks ago and we’re all cool with that. There’s no pressure to always post what’s on your mind.  (I really don’t want to know what’s on everyone’s mind at every given moment! I wish folks would weigh their thoughts carefully before posting- maybe even leave me lost in the mystery! I am truly ok to go a few days without hearing from you).

3️⃣ The mindset. We’re here to connect. I believe all humans crave connection, in one way or another. Real-life interactions are still the most effective way to connect, but it’s neat to have an online “Connection Bank” with photos and descriptions to review accordingly.  I enjoy seeing the occasional achievements, photos of a networking lunch, a new building addition, etc.  I can look at your work history if I’m curious. Then I go on out about my life and don’t feel the compulsive need to check for new dopamine candy. This seems a sustainable social media mindset to me.

I’m also full of care with whom I choose to connect. 

I don’t necessarily want a big network, I want a real network.

Robin Dunbar, a psychologist, has proposed a mental limit to the number of meaningful, stable connections we can have- he says it’s around 150. Beyond that, he believes we see diminishing returns. I can see why he proposes his theory, because we all know we don’t have the mental bandwidth to have real relationships with every single person on the planet.

Regarding this, writer and business coach Naomi Dunford says, “In a minimalist business, we focus on mindful, generous, mutually beneficial relationships, and we connect in ways that matter and feel good, not in ways that drain time, energy and attention.”

Currently, LinkedIn does not drain my time, energy or attention.

Do you have your profile set up? If you’re just starting or re-awakening a sleepy profile, I’m happy to share a few quick tips I’ve learned.  Shoot me an email and I’ll tell you a few things I’ve gleaned so far- as a small business owner NOT seeking to be employed elsewhere. Even though my tips are few, it’s still more than I want to mention in this blog post because you’re here for photography news and updates, not LinkedIn coaching, ha. 

I will mention one thing that gains more impressions, and that is simply using photos.  Sometimes I use one, sometimes more if it tells a more satisfying story.  For me, I like to post a professional portrait or two that I took, then perhaps a behind-the-scenes or pull-back shot to give more detail about the circumstances surrounding the photoshoot.  The photos don’t always have to be professional- I have posted casual iPhone snaps that also gained traction.  I think the key is giving viewers quick information at a glance. 

Are you mildly stressed about what to write on LinkedIn?  Posting photos is an easy solution!  Gather a pile of images including:

• your headshot

• different views of your place of business

• your office

• you at a networking event

• your happy customers

• your product

• you creating your product

• you thinking about creating your product

• your walking with your dog while you recover from creating your product

• photograph a review someone left or a kind email response from a satisfied customer  

• take a picture when you are delivering the product, or simply locking the door and heading out for the weekend

Start saving all these to a folder and drip, drip, drip them out slowly a couple times a week, over the course of a few months.  It’s sustainable and an easy way to stay in front of people without bragging, pushy-selling or claiming to be a thought-leader guru. 

Here’s a great social media picture captured by my friend and client, Sandra McMahan.  Many of you may know her- she loves to take pictures around Neosho and Bentonville and wherever else she goes.  I was photographing her for her 75th birthday and she took this photo of me in the camera room ⬇

Creating attractive portraits while being authentic intrigues me.   This is one reason I love the challenge of photographing headshots for ordinary business people. My clients have hired me to make them look their best, but my photography must be true and not oversell their image.  If you want me to take professional, interesting photos that you can proudly post, call me and let’s chat. (Or email me, if you’d rather poke your eyes out than call).

Need photography for LinkedIn or other social media?

Here are a few options I offer:


1. Headshots in my studio- very good and very fast turnaround; book online.

https://www.calotype-photography.com/photographer-headshots-joplin-mo

2. Headshots at your place of business- very good, not quite as fast- call to book because there are a. two levels and b. we need to determine the best choice.

417-658-8865

3. NEW PRODUCT FOR SUMMER 2024 :

If I’m already at your workplace for headshots, I now offer an add-on social media package to capture businesses in action! I showcase you and/or employees in action, your building, offices, and day-to-day activities—all from the most flattering angles. Depending on the size of your operation, this may take as little as 15-30 minutes and yield a few month’s worth of quality posting material!

Call me or email if you’re interested! Or… message me on LinkedIn. 😉