Do you care about your picture on Social networks?
Tags: harvard, photo, piskorski, professional picture
Your picture on Social networks is the killer app…You don’t believe me?
Piskorski a Harvard professor made that discovery:
“I just wondered why people spend so much time on these sites (social networks); what do they do?”
The biggest discovery: pictures. “People just love to look at pictures,” says Piskorski. “That’s the killer app of all online social networks. Seventy percent of all actions are related to viewing pictures or viewing other people’s profiles.”
Now when you register on a social network and you want to really use it, you need to consider putting a professional photo of yourself.
Why putting a professional photo is important?
1) People spend their time watching pictures on social networks, so if the picture is not professional, what does it say about your brand?
2) With a picture, you create a bound with your viewers and I think you create much more trust: Who would like to do business with someone she never saw?
3) A professional picture is like the 1st impressions, you never have a second chance
70% of all actions on social networks are related to viewing pictures?!
I think that you need to put a picture but if the picture is not professional it is better to put nothing.
I paid for my photos something around 20£ for a set of professional pictures and I still see people putting photos they took with their computer cam. This is the kind of investment that is worthwhile.
Steps for creating a professional picture:
1) Define how you want to dress according to your target and your industry
2) Choose a professional photographer and explain to him what you expect
3) Select a set of pictures and put the same on all your social networks, I think for your personal brand it is all about consistency and coherence
4) Change your picture time to time, I still see people putting pictures of themselves….20 years ago, so we can barely recognize them when we meet with them (women do that a lot!)
And you, What your picture says about you?
Duncan Elliott said:
Mar 09, 10 at 3:34 pmI’m surprised how many people choose completely inappropriate pictures on sites like LinkedIn. I use my company logo and leave it at that!
Laurent Brouat said:
Mar 09, 10 at 9:43 pmThanks Duncan for this comment…I almost put some examples of inappropriate pictures but I knew it could be dangerous. Company logo is good even if I find it really not personal, a bit cold.
Duncan Elliott said:
Mar 10, 10 at 9:22 amI know what you mean. I just am not sure if social media is ready for a picture of ME!
Laurent Brouat said:
Mar 10, 10 at 9:36 amWhy not?!
Reuben Bernard said:
Mar 10, 10 at 10:40 amI agree with Laurent.
One’s success as a recruiter in coming days will be determined to a large extent on how good you are in social media recruiting – building a community of potential candidates on LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. and using this network for hiring.
One of the key things you can do to increase your network (attract more connections or followers) is have a picture and a detailed bio.
Debra said:
Mar 11, 10 at 12:42 pmYou are so right!
And it’s not only what kind of pictures you see on sites like LinkedIn, but it’s really sad to see what kind of pictures people use on their CV.
Based on only a picture I would not invite those people for an interview, but mostly I give them a second chance for a first impression…
But I’m sure not everyone does that.
Karl Lusbec said:
Mar 13, 10 at 9:01 pmI am a big fan of consistency.
My LinkedIn, Twitter, + all social medias websites I am on, have the EXACT same picture of me. It’s as far as I am concerned natural and sensible personal branding. Also, let’s keep in mind that recruiters/HR/companies are Googling our names and having ONE professional picture accross all websites is sending a strong and consistent message.
Michel said:
Mar 14, 10 at 5:01 pmHello Laurent !
I’m sorry, but I have to say that i dont fully agree with what i read here.
Unfortunately, most people judge others on appearence, and make their own opinion after seeing a simple photo, or the person, and you cannot change their mind there.
Someone displaying a very formal picture on his profile, does it mean he is a better worker, more punctual, more efficient, more serious etc…than others ?
Someone displaying a less formal picture, wearing a t-shirt, or laughing with a friend, or while practising his fav. sport activity etc…does it mean this person is not serious, or doesn’t work well? he can be the most serious and competent when it’s about work.
And especially, i’ve heard many recruiters browse for the candidate name on internet, and check about him, including his facebook profile. but facebook is aimed at keeping in touch with your friends, and so far is not a recruitment platform like linkedin can be. i dont see why you should follow a “code of conduct” and display a very formal photo of yourself on facebook.
when you stop your judgement on appearence, you are for sure missing something, and as a recruiter, maybe passing beside the ideal candidate. that’s a shame… :-/
Laurent Brouat said:
Mar 14, 10 at 7:07 pmMichel while I agree to the fact that we should not judge people on appearance, it is a real fact especially when you want to recruit someone. I really think a professional photo is a MUST. But obviously I did not mention Facebook but more professional networking sites like Linkedin or Viadeo. In an ideal world, I wouldn’t put this kind of article, but we don’t live in this kind of world.