Your profile picture sets the tone of your personality, it is who people will identify with as you. Therefore, a picture should be carefully selected in order to represent who you want to be viewed as. This could simply be using your company logo if you are branding as your business, or for Real Estate Agents and other fields where people need to identify the person as the brand, a professional picture is required.Profile Picture DO NOT~ Do not use a group shot, even cropping yourself out of a group shot. It is usually quite obvious, and shows that you really didn’t take the time to take your social media marketing seriously. Plus, in a group shot others will not know who you are.

~ Do not use a glamour shot, or pose in sexy/seductive ways (unless you are a model or in other industries that this is required), but to be taken seriously, you need to have a serious profile picture.

~ Do not have a very outdated photo, if your headshots are over 5 years old it is most definitely time for an update, having a true representation of yourself is important.

~ Do not use a cartoon character or strange editing, it makes the photo look unnatural and unprofessional.

 

 

Profile Picture DO

~ Do dress professionally for your photo, although you may prefer a more casual day to day look; when it comes to business, looking professional makes a much better impression.

~ Do smile and look approachable, people are less likely to be drawn to you if you are scowling or angry in your profile picture. A smile goes a long way.

~ Do use a photo that features more of your upper body, traditionally known as a ‘headshot’. Due to the size of most profile pictures, a full body shot will not be able to show your face clearly.

~ Do try and express your personality and brand, while at the same time keeping in mind that this photo will be judged by others. You can always ask good friends and family on some feedback on which photos to use.