Recently I had a new professional photo taken, the first one in four years. Naturally, the experience got me thinking about profile photos on social media.

Does your profile photo represent you well? Does it capture your personality and style? Is it appropriate for the social media sites where you use it?

Use the Same Profile Photo Across Social Media Sites or Vary Your Photo by Site? 

Some people prefer to vary their profile photos, depending on how they use a particular social media site. For example, if they use Pinterest primarily for personal reasons, they might have a more whimsical, fun-loving photo there. In contrast, they would then use a more business-like image in their LinkedIn profile, since this site is almost exclusively used for professional purposes.

My personal view, and one that is held by many others, is that the best approach is to use the same profile photo across all social media sites. This should be the same photo used for your website, blog posts, Meetup groups, and anywhere else you appear in cyberspace.

The rationale for this is that each time people see you in cyberspace, they will recognize you. This is important, because your photo is an integral part of your brand.

In her article “How to Take the Perfect Profile Picture,” author Aimee Baldridge writes:

Use the same image of yourself on every site where you have an account in order to create a consistent, distinctive social media presence, and make sure your look is appropriate for the field you work in (or want to).

She goes on to quote Marjorie Kase, a solutions consultant at Adobe Social:

You want to maintain a level of professionalism. Make yourself look like you would on the way to a job interview… Often, we think we’re in a walled garden with our own personal friends and family, but really the whole world is watching.

You can find the rest of this article at: http://blog.laptopmag.com/how-to-take-the-perfect-profile-picture

Pointers for Perfect Profile Photos

• Use a headshot with only you in the photo (no pets, children, partners, etc.).
• Avoid busy backgrounds (either from real life locations or studio backdrops) – a solid color against which your clothing can clearly contrast works best.
• Have a relatively up-to-date photo (it’s important that the real-life you still looks like your photo!).
• If possible, have the photo taken professionally – the investment will be worth it in the long run.
• Tell your photographer the photo will be used for social media sites – doing so will help ensure the photo meets the specifications of these sites.

• Be sure the image is natural, professional, and clear.
• Show your personality in your photo, but don’t add props or hand gestures.
• Just prior to a photo session, take some deep breaths and exercise your facial muscles – this helps you to look relaxed and makes your smile more natural.

How About You?

What suggestions to you have regarding profile photos on social media? Do you use the same photo across all sites or do you vary your photo by the site? Why?

 

About Joyce

Joyce Feustel helps people, especially those age 50 and up, to become more effective using social media, especially Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter.

She works with business owners, nonprofit organizations, retired people, consultants, and many others. Find her at www.boomerssocialmediatutor.com