Friday, May 24, 2013

what does your profile picture say about you?




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, Author and Presenter on Marketing and Internet Marketing 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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