Will the real you please step forward

Will the real you please step forward

I've been musing on the profile pics I see, well, everywhere nowadays and the digital version of ourselves we cast out unto the world. I came up with this article; let me know what you think.

Do YOU doubt your Digital Self?

Creating an image of oneself to convey an honest, or even idealised, version of yourself to the wider world has been a task undertaken by us throughout history. Thank your lucky stars you don't have to spend weeks in an artist's studio attempting to hold the same posture and expression, only for the artist to 'get it wrong'. Yes, getting it wrong today is much quicker and easier and your dour digitised self is viewed by a much wider audience at the click of a button.

Your digital self can be your best friend or worst enemy and you may have no idea which one they are.

"Don't you want to even glance at the certificates on the wall?" I ask my nervous hypnotherapy client. "Actually, no, it's okay, I trust you, just go ahead please". How does that happen? How do they KNOW they can trust me. Of course the CAN, though, isn't it interesting how our face conveys trust... or distrust?

New clients often say they feel like we've met before, that I have a nice face, that they were booked in somewhere else and then changed their mind and came to me instead. All because of a picture.

Now, a picture is not me. In fact, often I think I look entirely different in real life to the static image of perfect shiny pixels and wonder if the 'real me' with my ever changing expressions and odd bad hair day is a disappointing shock to the new client. However, I would know that, I mean. I would know whether my client was disappointed or shocked to meet the real me, because I have an advantage: I have MicroExpressions expertise!

I'm not saying it is a blessing to know when someone is sad to meet you or displeased in your presence, but knowing that they are gives you opportunity to do something about it.

There you are, or rather, there your digital image is, staring unblinkingly into cyberspace hoping to give the real you justice, authenticity and to inspire confidence or at least to attract some attention to your work, to your talents and abilities, to you. However, get it wrong and you may glare out menacingly to your world of potentiality and scare off new contacts with what you thought was a confident expression but one which is read by the unconscious mind of the viewer as utter contempt.

Contempt is the most frequent MicroExpression I see on profile pictures, with the sour faced pout running a swift second. Then there is just plain bad luck, bad lighting, bad angle, bad, bad bad. You cannot explain away your temporary bad mood or unfortunate contemptuous expression to the hundreds or more daily viewers of your profile picture on the Internet.

Nowadays, we are certainly not forgiven for such misrepresentation like we used to excuse away our sombre passport photo with amusing understanding from family and friends.

The digital you is more real to the thousands of strangers out there than the physical, breathing you AND it could be costing you money and losing you sales and credence, or it could put off that potential new lover, or redefine your present lover's perception of you as workmates comment on your profile pic?Yes, cruel, though unfortunately it happens.

Your world went digital almost without you noticing. Gone are the days of the formal letterhead with the list of faceless partners in tiny type listed discretely down one side, tucking you away quietly in your corner, with clients not knowing whether you were friendly, sincere, professional, approachable, good-looking or good-humoured.

Now, you may argue whether anyone can judge those qualities from a photograph - well, YOU do don't you? You decide on 'face value' whether you wish to meet or employ or befriend someone, merely from a static array of pixels. Done well, your fabulous face can exude a sincerity and confidence you didn't know was tucked tightly away somewhere or radiate a ravishing appeal that will light up your Facebook profile, your dating picture, or business website and also light up someone's day.

The dangers of the selfie stick are hopefully apparent though we seem to be woefully inadequate in arranging our face to present it in its best possible light. For one thing, you do not know your own face as well as you think. No, you don't. You don't see it in the mirror in the same way others see it.

A skilled photographer, one that is able to not only operate their intricate photographic equipment, but one that is able to elicit the responses within you so that you use the 43 muscles in your face to arrange your features into a pleasingly acceptable digitised image of your real self is a real asset.

AND I HAVE a skilled, talented, wonderful, naturally gifted photographer, yay! Available to you too, if you ask!

Then you have those other photographers whose skills are more targeted in convincing you that you look great, so that they can run off to their next appointment and leave you with a fabulously professionally produced image that is just intimidating or smirky or, well, just not you.

Get a good one and you'll realise how your face finds favour. Consider enlivening the following with your professional radiant self.

Your face sells. A good one sells more. A bad one costs you dearly. It's not just having a good face, it's what you do with it that counts!

So, when you end up with a good one, what can you do with your face? You can:

1. Have it printed on your business cards to remind networking event attendees who on earth they were talking to!

2. Use it in your marketing materials so folks put a face to your product

3. Make it your professional networking profile picture and shine out from grouchy competitors

4. Give consistency and branding to YOU!

5. You can include with press releases and get noticed more

6. Place it in your newsletter and bring messages to life

7. Put it on your web site and brighten up your Company profile

8. Use it on your email signature sign off

9. Use it on your CV to open doors with your face

10. In your company annual reports to brighten those figures

11. Have it ready for Employee of the Month so Ian from Accounts doesn't come up with his cell phone to take it whilst you are unaware

12. Announce Career Accomplishments and be associated with success

13. Have it printed onto magnetic signs for the side of your Vehicle

14. Never run an Advertisement without it

15. Display it in your Office Reception or waiting room so you are instantly recognised rather than having your new client blindly shaking your hand wondering how on earth you are

16. Shine out from your Corporate Brochure

17. Always accompany articles you write as you send them off to publications

18. Send out prior to speaking engagements

19. Send copies out to local press as often they only publish when there is a good picture to accompany your oh so interesting article

20. As a leave-behind for prospective clients to remember you by

21. Use it to build visual recognition and brand awareness

22. Contacts will more likely remember you with a picture reminder

23. Job applications

24. Dating agency profile

25. Have available before a reporter calls to do a profile on you

26. Send copies out to the trade press

27. Do you dance, perform, sing or play music? Use your photo

28. Project it onto the side of your office building – it will beat all the competition and get you noticed!

29. Mugs. T shirts.. Keyfobs. Mouse Mats.

30. Photoshop a Santa hat onto it and send it out at Christmas!

Have fun with your face and make it a good one. Never doubt your digital self!