Speaking of Marketing:
Social Media and Your Profile Picture(s)
by Lori Ballen
Your Social
Media Profile Picture Matters
First of
All, let me point out that my writing style is not that of a "you should or you
shouldn't-er". I'm more of a "best practices" and "in my experience" writer. I
have no intention on making you feel bad; nor am I saying you ever need to do
things my way.
What I can tell you is that I'm a successful marketer and
have learned through trial and error, and testing and measuring, what works and
what doesn't work.
I spend a
lot of time on social media. It's part of my overall marketing strategy to
connect with people socially that may turn into a business relationship
later.
I've seen it
all when it comes to profile pictures.
WARNING:
If you, in no way shape or form, ever intend to get any business from your
social media use, then you can stop reading this blog right now because it won't
matter to you at all.
Still
reading? Great. That means you believe that
in some capacity, your social media use could attract
business. Then it's important to take note that your profile picture on sites
such as Facebook, Twitter, Linked In etc. matter.
The most
important thing is that your profile picture is cohesive on all of your
networks. See, most people that are on facebook, are also on other social
networks like Twitter, Instagram, Foursquare, Path, LinkedIn and so
on.
Your profile picture is the same as a logo would be for a companies
brand... It becomes recognizable and is connected to you and your brand. Keeping
the overall picture schematic the same across your networks is key in creating
"brand awareness". When it comes to social media, YOU are your brand. It's
perfectly OK to have 5 different profile pictures of headshots with you wearing
the same top and having the same background and shape but with different poses.
The overall awareness is recognized.
But if you are changing your
profile picture on a regular basis, you are losing brand awareness. One day you
are bowling, the next day wearing sunglasses, the next professional, the next on
Vacation, the next holding a baby or a pet, the next with your loved one,
different clothing, hairstyles or even worse, changing your profile pic to
pictures of slogans or "items" instead of a picture of yourself, it takes a
while for people to recognize those posts are coming from you.
We get used
to seeing the "face" on the posts more than the name on networks such as
Facebook. Consistency matters.
The best profile pictures only contain
YOU. Anytime you add another element to your picture, it takes longer to
process, longer to recognize, and can even be a distraction. If you have a loved
one, children, pets, objects, your car etc. in your profile picture, unless it
serves a brand purpose, it can hurt your brand awareness. Now, if pets are part
of your entire marketing theme, and it's consistent, then by all means, go for
it.
Your cover photo on Facebook is yours to play with and change. But
please note that now, when someone sees your post for the first time on a
friends page and hovers over your thumbnail image, your cover appears as part of
the preview. So you need to be careful what "message" you are sending with your
Facebook Cover.
It's also important to not over photoshop. Dress like you
would in real life as a professional, and use bright, large images whenever
possible. I also don't think a hard sales pitch in your picture is great either.
Added words, company logos layered etc. can seem to "businessy" and not social
enough.
Let's take a
look at a few profile pictures and decide what "message" they are
sending....
(Note, these are purchased copyright free images - not actual
profile pictures)
The "I'm
SPECIAL" To me, This one says "I'm artistic, but
am
either hiding something or
think I'm to sexy for my shirt, or I
challenge you to
figure me out because I'm just that unique"
The best
Profile Pictures are straight on shots. It is helpful
to be recognized when
you go to a convention, or
networking event, or party.
The "Call
Me Maybe"This one either says "I really enjoy my
daily massage" or
"Call my 1-900 number"
Sex sells... but if you are
selling anything else, this is not
the image you want.
The
"Hobbiest"
I like this one a lot actually... As long
as she is an artist and that is what she wants the world know she does. If she
is a real estate agent, this picture won't help her much. Remember, anytime you
add another object, you add a distraction unless it is part of the overall brand
image you are intending to get across.
I like that she looks friendly and
is looking at the camera. The picture is bright and looks clean and clear.
The
"Vacationer"
Dude! Put a
shirt on. Nobody wants to see that. Honestly, even if you have 6 pack Abs and
look like one of the hottest vampires on TV today, keep your clothes on.
Now, if you
are a celebrity, and that is what you are selling... is YOU.. ALL of you.... Go
for it.
The "I'm with
HIM"
If you share a facebook account with your loved
one and you brand yourselves together, this is completely
appropriate.
Any other time, it hurts brand awareness. It's best to keep
the profile pictures separate and use your cover if you want to show off your
wedding pictures.
That's what photo albums and 'posts of pride' are
for.
The "My Dog is
Cuter Than Me"
OK, most of
you showing off your pets do not actually believe your pet is better looking
than you. You just love your pet. We get it.
But
everytime I see your post, and see FIDO..... The fact that you actually ARE of
the canine species is planted in our head.
There is ZERO chance of
getting chosen for my business if you are an animal. Again, if the pet is part
of your overall marketing campaign, and you are IN the picture with the pet and
it's cohesive - it can fly.
The "I want to get
Noticed"
Hey... LOOK
UP. She has eyes you know!!!!
It's OK. She
doesn't care that you don't notice.
Again.... Depends on what she is
selling.
For professionals, this will get you noticed for all the
wrong
reasons. And yes, people talk it about her when you she is not
looking. Sorry.
The "My World has
changed forever"
This is the
toughest one. Of course you are full of joy and love and pride and want the
entire world to know you are a new parent.
So hard not make this your
profile pic... but again, every post you make after that starts dilluting your
brand. We abolutely go "ahhhhhhhhh" each time we see it, and like it everytime
we see a post go by that has that image, but for brand management, it's best to
save that for your cover photo or as part of your "pride posts".. You can post a
new baby picture every day if you like.
Here are some GREAT profile pics:
In closing,
It doesn't matter to me what you choose. It matters to YOU and your brand. Your
Life, Your Choice. Social Media is 100% your experience and you get to
experience it as you see fit.
About The Author
Lori Ballen is a Mega Agent with an award winning real
estate team in Las Vegas called
The Ballen Group at
Keller Williams Realty Las Vegas. Lori and her husband Richard Ballen have
owned multiple successful businesses based on her marketing strategy which is
now called “The Ballen Method" Lori and Richard now travel and train other
business professionals on her methods which include Identifying a Niche,
Finding a Target Audience, Creating a Message and a Product and then using
Blogging, Press Releases, Social Media, Classified Ads, Video and Fresh,
Relevant web site content with Disciplined Consistency in order to dominate the
search engines for desired searched keyword strings.
Lori Ballen has become known for her “Keeping it Real” style
and approach to Social Media. What you see is what you get with Lori. Passion,
Enthusiasm and Energy are what she’s about.
Use promo10 to save 10% on the purchase of The
Ballen Method
Internet Lead Generation and Online Marketing System now.
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