Your profile picture is the first impression you make on the world and the one you choose really says a lot about you, whether you realize it or not. I’ve been spending a lot of time on social media websites lately, like Facebook and Twitter, and I’ve noticed a few things when it comes to profile photos.
If you are on Facebook for the sole purpose of connecting with family and friends, then your main concern should be that others will be able to recognize you in your photos.
However, if you are on Facebook for business reasons, you have many other factors to consider. Your profile photo sets how people perceive you, so you should always keep that in mind when deciding which profile photo to upload.
1) Smiling directly at the camera Photo: I’m starting the list with my absolute favorite type of profile picture. When a person seems to be looking directly at you while also smiling, it says a lot. This type of photo makes people believe that you are confident, outgoing, and happy. It makes people feel like they can connect with you and even more than that: it makes people want to connect with you.
2) The photo of a random body part: Whether it’s your hair, ears, legs, or feet, photos of just one particular body part can mean a few different things. Either you have REALLY amazing fingers, your face isn’t that attractive, or maybe you just like to be mysterious. Either way, know that when a person cannot see your real face, they will wonder why.
3) The embarrassing photo: Fortunately, I don’t see this too often, but whenever I do I am speechless. The embarrassing photo is the one that literally leaves you feeling embarrassed for the person every time you see them. This is the profile picture that makes you wonder, “WHY would they post this?” Having an embarrassing photo as your main profile picture makes people question both your common sense and your sanity.
4) A photo of a celebrity: I’m always curious as to why someone would choose to use a profile photo of a celebrity rather than a photo of themselves. Do they really like that person so much that they give up their right to show the world what they look like or is it just that they want people to associate them in some way with that particular celebrity? I have it in Doppelganger week, but using a celebrity as the main profile photo at any other time is weird and a bit creepy.
5) The random photo: We have ALL seen this one. The profile photo of something so completely random, like a cartoon or a striped pair of gym socks, that you don’t even know what to say about it. Having a random photo as the default image leaves people wondering what to think of you.
6) Company logo: When someone uses your company logo as their main profile picture, it probably means that the main reason they are a member of that particular social community is to network and connect with other professionals. However, if you are just trying to network, it is always a good idea to allow people to put a face to the company name. So taking professional photos of yourself and uploading them to Facebook is definitely not the worst idea if your goal is to look professional and make connections.
7) The photo of your children: Choosing to set your main profile photo as one of your children instead of yourself shows that you are on Facebook to connect with family and friends more than anything else. If this is not the case, you should save the family portraits for Christmas cards and photo albums and instead upload a photo that shows who you are.
9) The dog / cat / fish / other random pet photo: This, for me, is the worst. It’s okay to love your pet, but ONLY posting photos of your four dogs makes it seem like you don’t have much of a life. Yes, the photos of your cats sleeping in your bed and your birds eating ice cream are extremely cute, but they are not exactly the best profile photos. Choose a profile photo that shows your best side, not that of your animals.
10) The mysterious profile picture: The mysterious default image is the one that only shows half of your face, so it makes you look somewhat mysterious. Setting a mystery photo as your main image usually makes people curious to know more about you.
11) The photo where other people are clearly cropped: We’ve all seen the badly cropped photos that only allow you to see the missing person’s hand or shoulder. I always feel bad for the person who cut themselves out of the photo because even though you took the time to take a photo with them, you also took the time to crop it, which says a lot. The photos they take of other people make the world wonder what the story is behind the photo. Is the trimmed person a former lover? A former friend? Who is the missing person?
Other things to consider when choosing a profile photo:
1) Alcohol: Photos that contain alcohol, even if it’s ‘just a beer’ will make people see you as less professional. If you are not trying to be professional, upload a photo of you and your friends taking photos or playing beer pong. But if you want to establish a somewhat professional online presence, definitely steer clear of photos that contain alcohol or look like they were taken at a club.
2) Skin: The amount of skin you show in your profile picture really says a lot about you. A small chest or leg never hurt anyone but kind– Posting pictures of yourself on the bathroom mirror, without a shirt, is SO MySpace and it really should stop. AND girls– Those photos of you in a bathing suit or worse still, in a bra, don’t say much about you other than the fact that you are willing to allow complete strangers to see you almost naked. Usually he seems pretty desperate and is definitely not professional. Is that the impression you want to give the world? Think about it before posting.
3) What kind of face are you making? The attitude you are presenting to the world is also an important factor to consider. You’re smiling? Are you looking away? Are you making a kiss face? Are you telling the world to fuck off? What you really are doing Your main profile picture says a lot about you, so be sure to take that into account when uploading a new profile picture.
The bottom line:
Your profile picture on social media websites is an introduction to the world. Think about the main reasons you are on Facebook, Twitter or any other social community and then choose your profile photo accordingly.
What category do you belong to? If you’re not sure, leave a comment with your Facebook link and I’ll let you know what I think your profile picture says about you! 🙂
