An Avatar Is Worth a 1,000 Words (Part 9)
Get the Picture
We’re a visual culture. We used to count “readers”; now we count “eyeballs.” Even newspapers–the ones that remain–are printed in color and the ratio of text to images has tilted heavily toward images. People want to read and hear what you have to say, but they also want to know what you have to show for yourself.
Today, your friends, colleagues, competitors, and customers may see your avatar more than they see you. What impression are they likely to get? Will they see a blurry photo, a picture of a kid or dog, or an actor who looks like you?
Here are three steps to make sure you make a good, consistent impression:
1. Be intentional about the image and brand you’re communicating via social media. Whether you use a professional shot, an amazing candid, or another sort of creative image, make sure that it represents you–as a person and a professional.
2. Don’t change your profile picture from week to week. People associate your content with your image–more so than your name. Changing your image blurs or severs the association between you and your content.
3. Use the same avatar image in all social media. Try Gravatar, which follows you from site to site, appearing beside your name when you comment or post on a blog or web forum.
Related Posts:
Three Steps to Discover Your Values (Part 2)
Discover Your Strengths (Part 3)
Assess Your Leadership Style (Part 4)
Discover Your Hedgehog (Part 5)
Resume Recommendations (Part 7)
Creating a Personal Marketing Plan (Part 
Resumes & the Art of Storytelling (Part 10)
Work to Do Before You Network (Part 11)
Boost Your Savvy via LinkedIn (Part 12)
Put Facebook to Work (Part 13)
Increase Your Klout Score (Part 14)
4 Informational Interviewing Tips (Part 15)
Create a Personal Brand (Part 16)
