You Can’t Be Camera Shy On Social Media

In the social media era of today, where it seems like everyone is Tweeting, Facebooking and Instagraming their lives away, it surprises me to see how many people still don’t have a profile photo. I particularly noticed that at least 35-40% of people on LinkedIn lack a photo.

Considering it’s a professional networking site, it boggles my mind.

When you don’t see a photo, you wonder why, and none of the reasons shine a positive light on you:

-          Are you wanted by the police?

-          Are you in the Witness Protection program?

-          Did you forget or not see the importance of having a pic?

-          Do you not know how to upload a photo?

-          Are you a vampire who avoids the light?

-          Are you embarrassed over a perceived physical blemish?

Then there are people who think it’s cute to use a logo or cartoon image or something other than an actual photograph. Watch out for them!

Some will post their photo, but it's cut off or blurry, or shadowy or seemingly artsy but in all cases, you can’t really make out their faces. There’s a certain level of dishonesty associated with this. Why don’t we see who we're communicating with?

On the other hand, we judge people too much by their photo. We filter people based on age, beauty, skin color or other physical attributes. Maybe we should all be photoless?

But in the digital communications era it’s imperative to have complete profiles, headshots, and well-edited blogs and websites. We will be judged harshly if we lack these things. Red flags go up and they don’t disappear.

Whatever the reason for not having a clear photo of yourself, you need to know that many people, including those who lack photos of themselves, will be prejudged against you and rightfully pre-judge or question you. Lacking a photo is like lacking a name or a phone number or an email address. You can’t go far without these things.

The opposite is true, as well. A strong photo can make such a good impression that you feel closer to this potential connection. When people smile or exude confidence, we are drawn to them. And when they are good-looking hotties, we are even more excited to be in contact with them -- even when we’re not looking for a sexual relationship.

Certain visuals draw us closer to others -- and the lack of a photo signals a disconnection.

BOOK EXCERPT: FOCUS WITH FARBER

by Barry Farber

There are some circumstances in life we can change; there are many we cannot.  When we are faced with situations we must accept, we have two choices: We can live in disappointment, bitterness, and anger—or we can look deep within ourselves, find the place that won’t be crushed by circumstance, and then pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and start all over again.

A positive attitude is not a phony smile, a happy face, and a perky disposition.  It is simply a way of responding to life in a manner that allows us to accept the things we cannot change, and change the things we can.  A positive attitude enables you to make a difference in the world, because when you are able to see things in a positive light, you help others to see the light as well.

Every day, your attitude is challenged by other people and by outside events.  How will you react?  Will you let adversity or obstacles stop you from moving forward?  Or will you look at the situation objectively and find the lesson that can be learned or the action that can be taken to turn things around?  Will you let a negative person influence your day, your life?  Or will you remember the words of the great Eleanor Roosevelt, who said, ‘No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.’”

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer, the nation’s largest book promoter. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog © 2014