Four Tricks for a Perky Facebook Profile Picture
Take a Better Facebook Photo – view video
We see all kinds of profile pictures on Facebook, Twitter and other social networks. I’m sure you have noticed the question marks, the animals, the movie stars, the beautiful scenery, the product or the ones you can’t actually see who is in the picture….you know what I am talking about. People upload many different kinds of pictures and images for their profile pictures.
If you saw your own profile picture on a social network would you be eager to make friends with that person?
But really…do you want to make friends with or join a dog? Or a beach? Or somebody’s kids. I know parents are proud of their kids, and me as a Grammie….I am doubly proud of my grandkids, but I don’t post them as my profile picture.
People want to know You and who you are. They want to know you are a real person. They want to see your friendly face, your smile, your eyes. (so take off your sunglasses) 
They most likely want to see you fully clothed too, so be sure you have your shirt on.
Awhile ago, I was chatting with a guy on Facebook. At first I was kind of hesitant when he popped up a chat window because he was wearing sunglasses and looked angry. When people send a chat message, I always check them out before I respond. I don’t know……Maybe I am weird but I have been proposition too many times, so I am careful.
Very carefully I mentioned to him about his picture not being very inviting, and surprising he actually changed his profile picture to a pleasing photo. What a relief. He didn’t look like a gangster after all. He was actually a good looking fellow. :)
Recently I saw this short article in our Sunday Paper Parade Edition titled “Take a Better Facebook Photo”, so I thought I would share it. Sounds easy enough.
Dr. Jeffery Spiegel, facial plastic surgeon and professor at Boston University School of Medicine, on putting your best face forward.
1. Stand at an angle to the camera. This will give you a slimmer profile and add interest to the photo. Try slightly lowering your front shoulders to elongate your neck.
2. Women: Looking up slightly will automatically raise your eyebrows, making your eyes appear larger. Men: Stick your chin out a bit to create a stronger face and eliminate a double chin.
3. Smack you lips together (though not to hard) a couple of times just before the photo is taken. This will send blood to them and make them appear redder and fuller. Similarly, pinch your cheeks to get a rosy glow.
4. To avoid closed eyes, try this trick: Ask the person snapping the photo to count to three, then blink on two. Your eyes will be at their brightest and most open.
Might I add, looking friendly and not so professional is also inviting. Be real, not stuffy.
Well, for what it’s worth and if you need the advice, go for it.
Make a better Profile picture.
Your Networking Friend,
Hello there.
Twitter
Facebook
Those are wonderful tips for getting the best image possible for your social media site profiles. Here is one more. Lean slightly forward. I have one that I am dong that and have many positive responses since I have used that one. Then you find a real good one, use it everywhere!!!
I agree Lynda, when you find a good one use it everywhere! It is much easier for people to recognize you if the same photo is used all the time.
Hi Lynn, these tips are well thought of and well needed to, whether it be business or not. I had to laugh while reading cause I’ve seen so many different things that just turned me right off. You have done it again by posting yet another informative post. Thank you again Lynn.
Sincerely,
Kenworth
Kenworth Peters recently posted..MLM Training, Is It Needed?
Thank you Kenworth for your kind comments!
These are really good, constructive tips about taking a good profile picture. Some people who send friend and chat requests really look scary or they remain anonymous because as you mentioned the pictures are of dogs, cats, babies, company logos, etc, etc, etc. Thanks, Lynn I think this will be a big help to a lot of us.
Thank you Sandy for visiting my page and leaving a valuable comment. Cheers!
Great point Lynn – I admit that when I get a “friend” request from someone who is obviously trying to disguise their image, or doesn’t even bother to include one – I hit the “not now” button.
Marquita Herald recently posted..5 Ways to Make Procrastination Work for You
Marquita, Me too. I say Not Now. Once in a while I will send them a message and kindly let them know I would love to be their friend if they had a real picture.
Great advice about our facebook profile! It is pleasing to the eye to see a person smiling. You give some awesome tips on what to do when taking a picture for our profile. I need to share this because some people just don’t know!Thanks for sharing your brilliance Lynn. You are one smart network marketer!
Hi Chinna, you are right, many need a new photo, so share freely.
Great post Lynn, I had to share this because there are many who consider themselves a professional and yet continue to remain anonymous. i would never do business without seeing the face behind the name. Great tips, thanks for sharing.
Hi Juliette, I wouldn’t do business with an anonymous question mark either. I want to look into their eyes!
Yes Lynn you have done it again Great information! Like many I have also deleted or refused friend requests because to put it bluntly there pictures were a little scary (some alot) both Men and Women, and they want me to talk about business. LOL! I know you don’t judge a book by it’s cover but you also want to share a good book not hide it. Fantastic Tips Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi Edith, You are right. One has to ask why someone won’t share their face. Thanks for stopping by my page.
Great advice Lynn. Thanks.
Hi Herb, thank you. Do come back again!
Hi Lynn,
Thanks for the great tips for profile pictures!
I wish we all could follow this advice. You are absolutely correct, I really do not join with people that do not post their photo. It is about relationships, and seeing someone’s face helps to form part of the overall impression of that person.
Warm wishes, Linda
Linda Thomas recently posted..Starbucks Unique Relationship Culture
Linda, I agree whole heartedly!
Have a sweet day!
Thank you for a brilliant post and very enjoyable and ‘eye opening’ read. It’s funny how you can read something, or hear something, and then all of a sudden (or so it seems) you see those very things everywhere you look.
Reading your post highlighted the point of having a good profile picture in a positive and encouraging way.
Thanks – I really enjoy your site.
Have a great week!
Thank you so much for your kind comments. I invite you to return soon.
Hi Lynn,
Great article on profile pictures. You gave some great points to think about. looks like I’m going to need to change my profile picture around. Thanks for the tips!
Sherman
Hi Sherman, Your profile pic is good. Hmmm, well maybe you could show some teeth! lol
Hey Lynn,
Really great post,the picture tells a lot about a person, so if it doesn’t represent them they will be doing themselves a massive dis-service.
Laughed out loud when you said you told the gangster man to change his picture hehe!
Great post, thanks for sharing,
Beth
Beth Hewitt recently posted..Pruning your Life
Hi Beth, You are right, people are only hurting themselves if they aren’t presenting themselves in the best way. I am happy you laughed!
This is so true…..When i read this, i checked my profile pic and evaluate if it’s inviting so it is and felt relieved.
so guys, show the best of what you are. Have a best profile pic in all your social media accounts.
adrian campbell recently posted..Start Your Do-It-Your Own Music Marketing
Hi Adrian, Yep, I think you have a great profile pic!
Thank you for these tips, Lynn, especially the blink on the count of 2 trick. How often have I looked at a picture of me that could have been nice where it not for the fact that I had blinked. From now on I am shedding that sleepy eye look.
Hi Monika, LOL, isn’t that the truth. My eyes half shut is usually my deal. I thought that was a great tip too…..to blink on 2 and open up on 3 while the picture was being snapped.
I appreciate your visit to my blog.
Have a fabulous day,
Lynn
Lynn-
These are great tips for any photo! Thanks for sharing. I am like you that I like to see people’s face and what they look like. I also don’t like on Twitter when people don’t put up photos and they have an egg for their profile pic! Anyway, thanks again, I am going to pass this along!
Tony Tate
Tony Tate recently posted..4 Terrific Teen Weight Loss Tips
I feel the same way Tony. I often will not be their friend if there is no real photo. I want to see they are a real person.
Thank you Tony,
Lynn
Hey Lynn…
I love this article! Once I learned the ropes & social rules on Facebook, I really became conscientious about profile pictures.
Some people get into building our own business with the idea that we need to be ‘business people’. We mistakenly post ‘professional’ studio photos that many people can’t relate to.
Other people tend to show their insecurities by posting those scenery or logo photos or pictures of their kids or groups.
Be real. Be someone other people want to work beside because they know you are a lot like them.
Loved points you shared from the newspaper article!
Thanks for the post!…Karen
I agree Karen, we should be real and normal. A too professional picture might convey that we are unreachable. I like a smile, warmth, happy…you know things like that.
Thank you Karen, I appreciate you.
Your friend,
Lynn
Hi Lynn,
Until recently I did not pay too much attention to the profile pictures of friends and contacts….but since doing the BWB twitter training I have become much more aware.
Great info hope it sinks in and people use photos of themselves.
Cheers
Bryan
Bryan McHeyzer recently posted..To-Friend-or-not
Isn’t is amazing how many photos we see that aren’t of people. I’d like for people to warm, friendly and authentic.
Have a great day Bryan,
Lynn
Hi Lynn,
I think sometimes people forget that it’s FACEbook and it’s called that for a reason. I’m not against someone showing a picture of something significant to them for a short time (I saw one yesterday of a lady who said she was showing a pic of her dead dog for 1 day as a remembrance of his life), but for the most part I agree, I want to see who I’m relating to.
These are all great tips for taking a cool FB picture. Like the guy you ran into with a gangsta shot — sometimes people don’t realize the image they are portraying!
Dr. Bob Clarke recently posted..You Can Create a Popular Blog in 90 Days or Less Part Time
Ha Ha, Good point Bob….that’s why it is called Facebook. If we keep the same good looking photo throughout our social networks, people will recognize us and know who we are.
Have a wonderful day!
Lynn
Lynn,
I never gave my Facebook picture, that much thought. I look the same no matter if I turn left or right. I cut all my hair off because I got tired of all the heat. Yet, now that you have given me all this information. I feel the need to re-evaluate all my profiles, at the various platforms. Excellent!
I live my life fully every day. I am who I am, and never act different even when I am alone. You never know who you will met, so being your true self is wonderful.
This was great advise, and one that many can put to use today. You have a great subject matter and people should take in all the true value.
I do not like to do business, with people who are not willing to even put a picture of themselves in their profile. This is the day to brand yourself. Not, as you said, love ones. They may be cute, yet your running a real business. There is a big difference.
Lynn, your always on point and keep it real. I love your sight. It’s not full of all the hype and whistles. To much things and it get to turn people away. Yours is wonderful, and has warmth.
Your truly a passionate, and caring leader in our industry. I am glad to have the honor of knowing you. Thank you again, for all the support you give to your readers and I.
I look forward in exploring you site once I get a little rest.
William Earl Amis Jr III recently posted..Ultimate Team Existance
William, That is a great philosophy for life. We should all have those aspirations. Thank you for being an inspiration to so many! I welcome your visit and great comments to my page anytime!
Have a terrific day!
Your Networking friend,
Lynn
All great tips, its a reminder to me that as reluctant as I am for one reason or another I definitely need to get a few more photos up there, I can’t imagine one pic is doing much. For a personal profile i guess its better to go with something a bit more relaxed and leave the possibilities of a tie, jacked and decent shirt to the fan page.
Hi Lynn,
I think many people are camera shy.
I have real photo’s of myself and have used them, but I came across a site that will make your photo into a cartoon. I thought that was pretty kool and have been using that as my gravatar for a while. I get a lot of comments about it.
I just wanted to do something a little different.
I still, however, have some real photo’s of me on my FB page too.
Cheers
willie@freedom to be your own boss recently posted..Do You Have To Build A List To Build A Business? Pt 2