If you are a small business owner who is serious about boosting your on line branding, take note, your profile picture matters.

We have all seen those profile pictures including those that are silly, indecent, unprofessional and just plain strange. If you are utilizing free-marketing strategies, you’re going to use social media marketing where they require you to upload a picture.

Remember, this form of marketing is all about visibility, personality and connectiveness. People want to get to know the person “behind the company.” So uploading a logo isn’t always the right choice.

When people come to your profile page on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, what is the very first thing that they look at? Your picture of course! So what all good marketers have in common is that they do put up a professional profile picture to better relate with their audience. For example my Facebook picture is more casual but related to what I do for a living. My Linkedin in picture is more professional and I do use my logo for Twitter. Other experts say you should use the same picture for all profiles for branding consistency, it’s really up to you.

Here are my top picture styles to avoid as a business professional.

1. The “I am Sexy” Profile Picture. Please cover it up! There is nothing less professional than a scantily clothed business-person. (Except, for #6)

2. The “Faraway” Profile Picture. Get close and personal. Please want to see what you look like.

3. “Your Child” As Your Profile Picture. If you use your child as your profile picture, there will be many misconceptions. Believe it or not, people will actually think that your child is YOU and immediately exit your page.

4. “Your Dog” As Your Profile Picture. Put her/him in your photo’s but not as your profile picture.

5. The “Sideways” Profile Picture. If you upload your picture and it ends up sideways, you NEED to fix it. Unless it makes a statement, then it’s OK.

6. The “Chugging A Beer” Profile Picture. Enough said.

7. The “Blurred” or “Too Dark” Profile Picture. If it’s not a clear picture, don’t use it.

8. The “Way Too Serious” Profile Picture. I truly believe that individuals should smile in their profile picture. In addition, there was a research study conducted on Twitter that suggested that people who smile gain 28% more followers.

9. The “Trying To Be Way Out Creative” Profile Picture. Until you have truly created your brand, don’t go for the goofy hats, clothes and antics. It really does send out the wrong message.

10. The “No Picture At All” Profile Picture. This is the worst offense of all. Please put up a profile picture if you are using social media sites. People want to see you. And I have heard time and time again that people oftentimes won’t connect with people without pictures. Social media is “social.” So, let them see who you are.

Like it or not, your profile picture speaks volumes about you. So, think about it and do your best to use a picture that you want the world to see.

My Best,
Kathy Kane
Market Insights, LLC