When you upload a smiling profile picture, you subconsciously presume that people will follow you easily. Some people don’t show their own picture; instead they place a logo or small text, a pet’s pic, flower, picture of a book, or religion symbol. So the person tries to message that he is a pet lover, loves flower, is a religious person, and is an avid reader. Well, in my opinion, use a real simple recent picture of you that tells people how you look at present, adding a true and honest smile is always an outstanding picture.
I often think why people give more importance to profile pictures on social media? Do they give insights of your soul? According to a recent study, social media users follow or don’t follow depending on the profile pictures of a person on social media. Profile pictures tell the viewers who you are, people read pictures very carefully as profile photos reflects many sides of a person’s character and personality, which a good reader understands. So we need to decide what we want people to see in our personality.
Uploading your recent photo in your social media profile especially on LinkedIn, Face book tells people that your account is lively and it is a real account. Of course, this photo should be your real photo. If you only use an image or some generic photo, people tend to think that yours is a fake account. Make sure to use a recent photo of yourself that looks exactly like you because if you use an older photo or a photo shopped photo, then people can get surprised when they meet you in person. Always remember that a face helps people remember you. If they have met you before or follow your other social media accounts, then seeing your photo will help them recognize you and connect your name with your face. Your face is index of your identity; people connect with an identity not an object like a book, a flower, a pet etc.
Our photo gives others few clues about our personality. We should think what message we want to give people and choose our photo accordingly. If I want to be viewed as a cheerful and friendly person, or as an authoritative and serious person, or as a brand conscious person laden with branded goods I must think about it before uploading a photo because it is my brand image. Your photo represents your personal brand. An individual is a brand. Everything you do or don’t do creates the branded you.
In conclusion, the first impression becomes a last impression. Be honest because branding is a serious business. Seeing your picture helps people make a first impression about you. If they like your picture and get positive feelings from it, chances are that they will approach you for whom you are. On the other hand, if they get a negative impression from your image or think that you are not a very affable person, it can be difficult for you to have an interaction with them from the beginning.
People who have an updated, professional, and consistent profile picture seem more organised than those who don’t. These days, the social media profile picture is equivalent to what an appropriate job interview business was 20 years ago. Appearances speak volumes. Handle your profile pictures with care.
