The Fastest Way to Make a Great First Impression as a Solopreneur

The Stack #2

Jul 17, 2024

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When was the last time you changed your profile picture on social media?

Maybe it was after that sun-baked family holiday in Portugal? Or when you got your new Miniature Schnauzer puppy? Or when life simply called for a great selfie?

Most of us probably don’t put much thought into our personal profile pictures.

But what about our business profiles?

If you run a business or personal brand, either as a solopreneur or as part of a team, you’ll have at least one social media profile set up for it. Most likely more than one.

And, more often than not, that profile will be the first thing potential customers or clients come across when they discover you online.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to make a great first impression. Sadly, too many business owners squander it.

I’ve seen countless business profiles on social media with confusing bio images that negatively impact the customer experience: photos of people where there should be logos; images of products with no discernable link to the business itself. I’ve even seen professional profiles with a dog as their bio image (when the business had nothing to do with pooches).

Your professional social media profile photo should be one of three things:

1. A company logo if you’re promoting a brand (eg. McDonalds, Starbucks).

2. A headshot photo of your real-life face if you’re promoting yourself as a personal brand (eg. a wedding photographer).

3. An image clearly depicting the product or service you offer if you’re running a small business (eg. your restaurant, B&B, massage service).

The last thing you want to do is confuse your audience with a profile photo they can’t immediately connect to your business identity.

Remove that unnecessary barrier today by updating your social media profile photos (and remember to use the same one on all platforms).

An audience member who understands what you do is far more likely to become a follower, and then a fan, and then a paying customer.

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