Whether you use social media to help promote your business or simply build your personal connections, it’s important to be sure your profile picture accurately represents the brand you’re trying to portray.
Here are 5 sure signs that your current profile picture isn’t helping you to put your best face forward!
It’s blurry, too small or too dark
How would you rate the quality of your profile picture right now? It doesn’t need to be a professional headshot, but we do need to be able to at least make out what part is your face! So often, we can find profile pictures that are too blurry, small or dark. Keep in mind that your profile picture will mostly be seen as a small avatar, so a clear and focused image is key! If your followers can’t make out your photo, they are less likely to feel a personal connection to you or your business.
You’d be embarrassed if your boss or grandma saw it
Keep in mind, that no matter how secure you think your profile settings are, you should treat your profile picture like public domain. Choose wisely and pick a profile picture that you wouldn’t be embarrassed for a prospective employer – or your grandma – to stumble upon. This means cleaning up old photos too! Just because it’s not your current profile photo doesn’t mean it can’t be found by people surfing through past photos. The bottom line is to use a profile picture that transcends all audiences and represents you as a mature, responsible adult.
You’re with a large group of people, making it hard to pinpoint which one you are
A common mistake when choosing a profile picture is to select a group photo. Even though your choice is appropriate in content, like a co-worker snapshot or even an extended family picture, this is not the best option for your profile picture because people won’t know which one in the crowd is you. Save these group photos for your cover photo or post it to your timeline. Reserve your profile picture for only you!
It’s so outdated even your close family and friends wouldn’t recognize you
Think back to that time when you decided to dye your hair blonde; aww the memories of being young. But now you look quite different, updated hairstyle and all! If you’re still using this outdated photo as your profile picture, you’re not doing yourself any favors when it comes to building your personal and professional brand. It’s important that your profile picture is current and accurate of what you look like now. Would your own family and friends agree that your picture represents you today? If not, it’s time to switch things up with a new snap shot.
You’re not in it! (i.e. it’s of your pet, baby, car, etc.)
One last sign it might be time to update that profile picture is the most obvious, but yet so many people don’t follow this simple advice. Make sure that you are actually in your profile picture! While it may be tempting to post only the photo of your cute baby, adorable dog or awesome car, these photos all miss one very important component – you. No matter how camera shy you are, you can manage to come up with just one photo of yourself that you are comfortable sharing with your network. Remember, these are people who want to get to know you.
Now that you know the signs for when you need to change your profile picture, how does your current one stack up? Share some other tell-tale signs by commenting below!
