Pick the Right Profile Pic

I truly believe that when promoting your business online, the images you choose are the most critical decisions you will ever make.

Now, I have hired many people throughout my career and I’ll be honest with you: one time last year, I didn’t hire someone just because when I did a quick online check on that person, I ran into a public photo of that person. The image wasn’t what I would call “professional,” unless you think holding two bottles of Jack Daniels while you whoop it up with your bare-chested frat boys the type of pic you would slap on the top of your resume.

So, what does this mean? When in public, choose your image well. You know that makes sense when you go for that job interview, so it makes sense as well when you want to publicly promote yourself and what you do in the online world. A professional pic gives you instant credibility and makes your viewers feel a bit more comfortable, as if they already know you and want to be your friend. There is no ulterior motive to posting a great candid that makes you look like a pro. When selling yourself, don’t you want to look your best?

Let me illustrate this point by using the following guinea pig: ME!

Ok, what would you think if I posted any of these pics of me as my profile pic?

That’s me and my sister enjoying a good time.

Or this one?

We were really having a good time.

Do you even understand this one?

That is me in a large white shoe in Lisbon, with an associate. Don’t ask me how I actually got into the shoe.

This one would work well, wouldn’t it?

I accidentally took this pic with my iPhone the first day I had my iPhone.

Or if I posted this one? (Well, this one might work. I mean, come on, this kid is cute.)

My son. Ok, he can sell anything! I am in trouble.

Now you see why I would want to chose a profile pic that presents me in a professional manner? I encourage you to do the same, if you want to promote your business to a new group of people you don’t even know. It doesn’t have to be a formal shot, but something that speaks to your personality and who you are. A smile doesn’t hurt as well.

When choosing a pic, just ask yourself: How do I want people to see me? What will they think of me when they see my pic? Am I portraying the image of my business that I want to portray?

(By the way, you can find all the pics on this post on my facebook page, where they belong…)

Thanks!

Feel free to share with others, I just ask that you reference me as the original writer of this post. Thank you!