Okay, here goes, I’m going to rant a bit. If you don’t want read further, then don’t, but I’ve had enough. Why on earth would you climb aboard the social networks for either social fun or business contacts and be unwilling to share your face? Why would you share the face of your pet? Your child? Your car? Your home? It is social media for a reason. We connect by FACE FIRST, voice second, and name third. If you don’t believe me go test this out.
Oh and yes it does need to be a recognizable pic because the whole point of social media is for you to ultimately be face to face with your peeps and tweeps. Sure you may not meet many of them, but you will many others at expos, conferences, in the neighborhood, at live events, and more. Think how embarrassed you will be when no one recognizes you because you had a picture up that was 10 years younger and 30 pounds lighter. This isn’t online dating where lying is expected (unfortunately, I have way to much experience in this arena, though I don’t lie and have the references to prove it!)
Get over yourself. This isn’t a beauty contest or muscle beach, we want to see you for who you really are (the best part of you, so yes combing your hair and using makeup are welcome, unless your signature is the unkept look.) Please don’t give me some nonsense about you don’t have a camera, every phone sold now has a camera built in. And telling me you have no one to take it implies you live at the top of Mount Everest in a cave. Ask your family, ask a neighbor, ask the UPS man, ask your dry cleaner, ask anyone to take your picture. Don’t get on the networks without a current smiling headshot.
Oh and one more thing, if you don’t smile, why would I connect with you? I don’t need any more sourpusses in my life, do you? And I distrust anyone who can’t show me they have teeth. Even a gap tooth grin beats a Mona Lisa look or the scowl I see on some faces. A smile is the fastest way to connect to strangers. Next time you are at an event, try smiling at everyone you don’t know, it makes them think they should know you and they’ll start talking to you (I’ve done this, it works.)
