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The Message Your Social Media Profile Picture Sends
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, you should probably be careful to ensure that the first words that come to mind when someone views your Facebook or LinkedIn profile picture are positive. While it takes 9.5 minutes to decide whether or not we like someone when meeting face to face, it takes only 5.5 minutes to form an opinion of them after viewing their online profile or photo, according to researchers at online reputation management firm Reputation 24/7.
To make sure you’re perceived positively based on your profile picture, avoid posing by your car, acting over the top or sporting your bikini. You’ll also want to shy away from rude gestures, posing with alcohol or drugs, and looking angry in your photo. And don’t jump on the bandwagon when everyone decides to post a cartoon or emoticon as their picture, because this could also be perceived negatively. Positively perceived photos included those with a smile, wedding photographs, pictures taken at the beach or with children, and those posed with a sensible-looking group of friends. A photograph taken of yourself can be seen as good as long it is not too risqué or outlandish.
Remember that professionals as well as friends will be seeing and searching for your online profile, and the picture is likely the first thing they will notice, so guarding the image you portray through this picture is important in both your business and professional life. Reputation 24/7 found that 60 percent of respondents said they judged people from their online profiles, with 40 percent saying they made their opinions more rapidly online than they did in person.
One of the most interesting findings of this survey is that four out of 10 respondents said their opinions were later found to be “completely wrong.” So while you may be able to later change someone’s opinion of you than the one formed based on your Facebook page, you often don’t get a second chance when a company or potential friend is searching you. Get it right the first time – by making sure the red cup and kissy face photos are saved for your personal archives, not your public profile.
