Your personal branding picture

Hello there!

I continue translating my book Selling the moto to English. Last weekend I did a part regarding your profile picture.  

In personal branding and in marketing you can only give a first impression once. How is it going to be?

That's why it’s utterly important to choose a good profile picture. It will be the first impression, the cover of our book; your presentation. A good one doesn't guarantee you anything, but a bad one... it creates unconscious antagonism very difficult to get throw.

I leave here a series of tips and examples. What do you thing?

 Tips for your profile photo

- Be natural:

When taking a photo, ask your friends to be there with you. Have fun, make some jokes, relax and chill out with your mates. Do you know why? Because you will be genuinely happy and the picture will show that feeling.

At Venice with a very good friend. How do I look like? Sad?

- Be accessible:

Do not cross your hands (crossing hands give the impression you are not willing to embrace new challenges, people, feelings or situation, etc.).

Both in a presentation. Which one would you like to attend to?

- Be loyal to yourself:

You have to find your own style and be loyal to it. Of course if your objective is to work for a large white collar company you should keep some dressing code, but remember: your personal brand stands on you, and only you.

If you feel confidence in a suite, wear it. If you feel yourself wearing a military jacket and a fedora, go ahead! And if you don’t believe me check for example Hank Blank (google him). He is possibly, one of the best “self-marketing” teachers and he has its very own style (without looking less professional). Remember, sometimes, a creative photo leaves a stronger impression.

- The most important thing in the photo is YOU:

Yes, you are, not the place the picture was taken. You are what matters, you want people get focused on you, not in the views.

Can you find me?

- Do not fake it

Of course you can photoshop it, but not too much, just simple things like light or contrast. But do not fake it. Accept your age and your wrinkles, moles and scars. Accepting them without hesitations means you are confident and happy with yourself. Is there anything more important?

- Take more than one or two pictures

As many as you can! Even if you think you already have it. Then, comes the funniest part: tell your friends to choose one. Yes, is not going to be you, is going to be other people. For each ask them: “how does it feel”, “sensations”, “irrational feelings”, and very important “what does it transmit”. Let them do a short list and choose wisely according to the message you want to give and the skills it transmits.

 - Smile!

Maybe the most important thing: SMILE, smile and smile! If you are not use to smile in pictures, takes thousands of them until you get use to it and it becomes natural. You see a camera: smile:

(sonríe is smile in Spanish)

So, come on, what do you think? Do you like it? Be critical!