Is your "Cheese" like the Grim Reaper?
Is your “Cheese†like the Grim Reaper?
“This is not going to work!†she said, rolling her eyes.
“Is this the best you can do?â€
I could see she was getting exasperated with my efforts. “You look way too serious…†she complained.
“What do you mean too serious? It’s a for a professional profile, and I AM smiling…†I tried to argue.
“Yeah, there is a hint of a smile, actually more of a smirk when I say “Cheese†, but if you want people to like or trust you they need to see a wide-open, friendly, comfortable and engaging smile…not the Grim Reaper looking at them. Show me your teeth Mike!â€
Of course she was absolutely right.
I was uncomfortable smiling on command. My efforts had only resulted in me looking like a grinning axe murderer. It was obvious I was trying way too hard.
“You need to relax….Just think of something funny you've seen on the internet recently, maybe some stupid cat video on YouTube, or a funny scene from a movie that made you laugh….and when you got it, turn to me and flash me that charming smile that I know is in there…â€
That last comment did actually make me laugh and she clicked away…
Eventually we got it right and she got me relaxed enough to give her that wide open smile from the right angle exactly the way she wanted it.
Chances are you’ve seen it on my LinkedIn profile.
If it would have been up to me I would have chosen one of me looking into the camera full frontal, looking all serious. However, I trusted her expertise - after all she is the specialist and she definitely knows how to make her clients look their best.
We all know the age old saying you don't get a second chance for a great first impression.
It’s also common knowledge that you have about 4 seconds to make that first impression.
Making quick judgements about someone's personality based on the way they look is something we do automatically, without thinking.
Of course we believe that once you get to know the person, those judgements gradually disappear and get replaced by new assessments of what they’re really like.
Except that second bit, while believable, isn’t exactly true!
According to new research, our first impressions of people in photographs influence our perception of those people even after we’ve interacted with them personally.
Just imagine the following scenario:
55 participants in a study had been shown images of people and were asked to rate the other participant on likeability and different personality traits.
A month later they were asked back to supposedly participate in a study on social interactions. They were asked to interact with another participant while being videotaped.
The most fascinating bit: What the perceivers didn’t know was that the other participant was one of the people whose photograph they had viewed a month earlier.
The two participants interacted for 20 minutes: for 10 minutes in a trivia game, and for 10 minutes during which they were asked to get to know each other as well as possible. Once again, the perceivers were asked to rate the other participant on likeability and different personality traits.
As it turns out, personality judgements based on the photos were almost the same in the real-life condition. The perceivers rated the participants even more similarly on likeability.
Perhaps the most fascinating feature of this study is that, when independent observers reviewed the videotapes of the interactions, they found that perceivers who’d viewed the people in the photographs more favourably acted more warmly toward those people when they met them in real life. The photographed people reciprocated by acting more warmly toward the perceivers, confirming the perceivers’ positive impressions of them.
The general takeaway here is that first impressions are a lot stickier than we’re inclined to believe — and often they work like self-fulfilling prophecies.
Quite amazing, isn’t it?
This research highlights the importance of getting your LinkedIn profile photo done by a professional who knows what they're doing, and it is obvious that you should have practised your most engaging, friendly, open and welcoming smile showing plenty of teeth.
It will make all the difference between instant likeability or complete indifference - or even aversion to engage. If your Profile Visitor can’t even get past your amateurish photo no amount of amazing content in your description is going to make them stick around.
Because your LinkedIn profile is the very first thing that comes up on a Google search of your name or company it is imperative that you Photo, Profile Description and Header carry the most professional and engaging impression that you can put forward.
Later on, just for your own curiosity; visit a few profiles and check the photos you see to test your own immediate gut-reaction without analysis. You will notice immediately which ones have been taken by professional photographers and which ones were by amateurs. Ask yourself - How would you like your profile to appear to your prospects and clients?
Let' suppose you may want some help with putting your best foot forward when it comes to your professional profile on LinkedIn.
I’d be more than happy to share some great ideas with you on how to make your profile stand out, so you attract the visitors and prospects that you would like to be connected to.
Just click on the link here: https://bit.ly/2ITFVGX and book a 15 minute, no obligation phone call now.
We specialise in LinkedIn profile makeovers to make you look the expert that you really are.
Naturally we can do a whole lot more but that should be enough for today's post.
I'll talk some more about content, your description and your profile-background in future posts. For now - book your call to find out – amongst other things – why a “Pattern interrupt†is absolutely vital in today’s competitive market. : https://bit.ly/2ITFVGX
Speak to you soon, bye for now.
Mike B