Importance of Your Google+ Profle Pic

As 2014 peeks just around the corner and with all the changes that have been implemented on Google+ this past year, you might not think your little profile pic is all that important. You may not even think twice about changing it for the new year because after all, it's working for you right? It has helped get you to where are today. Or maybe your strategy has been to change it many times. Perhaps your profile pic is a cat and you're happy with that. Either way, you may have had some thoughts about getting a shiny new avatar heading into twenty-fourteen

I'll admit it. The thought of changing my own avatar makes me slightly nauseated. It has helped put me on the map. Everything that I have worked for on the platform was done behind the goofy, fun spirited and some even say "iconic" little photo.

But is it time for a change?

Oh Hai! (Yes, I was in the bathroom for this shot!)

I can't answer this question directly and it may take some further thought long beyond the end of this post but I can't help but wonder if I'm finally in a position where it may be holding me back.

Let me explain...

As part of my head first dive back into the Information Technology world, I've been readily exploring as many avenues as possible including Social Media and more recently my Vlog on my YouTube Channel and this website that you are reading now.

If you have been watching my Vlog then you most likey have had your tongue planted firmly in cheek listening to my rambles, beaming to my various characters, or even checking to see who the next #Goaturday Champion will be.

Don't get me wrong, this has all been a blast but my channel is missing a couple of very crucial elements:

Professionalism and Technology.

Going through these transformations brings me back to image and I don't feel that respectable people in the online tech world are going to take me seriously if I don't look like I'm taking myself seriously. So maybe it's time to remove the aviators and the headphones and get a new, more professional photo heading into 2014.

Let's just hope this is not the equivalent of when KISS removed their face paint...

Your Profile Pic

It might be a good idea for you to get a profile picture if you do not already have one. If you want people to get a better sense of who you are then I would recommend making it a pic of yourself. I'm not saying you should or should not do this but it might help you out depending on what you're doing on Google+ in the first place.

When dealing with first impressions on Google+, people don't really have much to go by. They might briefly scan your About Me page or go back through a few of your posts or maybe check to see if you have any other pictures of yourself but for the most part, your avatar will be the primary means of identification. 

People will choose to follow you or not based only on your profile pic. This rings true for most people, I would think. For example, I won't follow anyone without a profile pic or anyone with a pic that condones hate, racism or violence. Everyone will develop their own rules by which they follow but it all starts with the initial profile picture.

When people think about you when they are offline, the first image that pops up is probably your current profile pic. Every relationship that you have ever built online is linked by this image and serves to be your own personal brand.

There isn't really a set of rules as to what makes for a successful profile pic and if there is then I wouldn't buy it for a second. It's ultimately up to the end user to decide if they like it or not and many will say they don't really care however, it's  in our DNA and subconsciousness to decide within seconds if we would like to continue to engage a person.

If this sounds a little shallow, you're probably right but it's an online world after all, where things can be pretty one dimensional. If you wish to go deeper then you certainly may and most do ; but for the masses that may be looking in at you, your avatar is what they see.

As for me, I may turn to a little advice from  +Michael P. Johnson  and this article that was written over the summer from his blog:

http://www.skyword.com/blog/your-google-profile-pic-is-important/

Check it out if you are interested in changing your own avatar into something more professional.

Authorship - Is it really you?

Google's algorithms are increasingly more aware of your face and doesn't really understand things like sunglasses, heavy makeup or anything that makes it hard for you to be identified. Google can validate your content much easier if it can recognize your face. If you're a content creator then you will benefit greatly from having a professional photo. In short, your articles and posts will be found much easier if Google can put a face with the information.

Conclusion 

Your profile pic should ultimately reflect you and what you put up for the public to see will all depend on what your goals are on G+. If it's for fun, throw up a silly head shot. If it's for business, make sure it reflects the professionalism of your company. If it's for friends and light networking, then a simple seflie will suffice. It's up to you but just remember, it really matters-- not only to your peers and potential followers but to Google as well. 

Make it a good one!

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How To Get Started On Google+

So if you came here wondering about how to make it in the world of G+, then you have came to the right place. I don't claim to be an expert but am eager and willing to share what has worked for me. You can take the time out to read various G+ references and material  but I just want to speak directly from hands on experience.

Start with Good Character

G+ is truly what you make of it. It is an open canvas for which you can paint your life. Or, you can use it to help others, grow your business and just straight up have fun! The first way to approach G+ is by keeping good character, being nice and behaving in a way you would in real life. This alone can get you quite far in your G+ career but there must be more to it right?

Socialize

Being that it is a social network-- it might be good for you to just get out there and learn the ropes by engaging with fellow plussers. Your circles may be empty and you may not know anyone but this simply means you've entered this new digital realm for the first time. Think about when you enter a place where there is a large gathering. People don't just stand at the front door now do they?

Set Goals

Don't lose site of why you're on G+. Although it may be quite easily to get lost in some of the fun you're about to have-- it may be important for you to maintain sight of your business. If you are here to simply socialize that is perfectly fine and very welcome! There is a little something on G+ for everyone.

Join Communities 

Here's where most people figure out that they are totally in love with G+. Find a community that shares a common interest with you but be particular because often times the communities will fill up with spam and share, listen and engage content! This is how you start building relationships.

Don't be afraid to circle People

It is perfectly acceptable to circle people you don't know. Don't fret if they don't circle you back right away.It may take some time for you to interact with them in order for them to be comfortable enough to follow you back. Sometimes you will never get followed back simply because the person is not interested enough in your content. This is no one's fault because everyone has different and varying interests.

Think of it as a brand new opportunity for you to start fresh and build a solid foundation for which you can share your life's experiences. You are bound to find lots of things in this new world that you absolutely love and people that you can't believe you've lived your whole life without knowing.

The experience really does end up being what you make it. If you are mean and trollish on G+, you won't make it very far and most likely will end up getting the boot. Google really frowns upon spammers and abusive behavior.

Share!

You can share photos, videos, music , links to anyone you feel like sharing to. I would recommend that you start out sharing publicly so others can see your posts as well. Don't start sharing everything privately because this will annoy some and you may get uncircled. If you don't have anythinng in particular you would like to share then find someone else's post you find interesting and simply reshare their post to your own page. This is part of the flow and it's encouraged to do so!

Use  Hashtags    

Hashtags allow your post to get noticed more plus they can be a fun, creative way to express yourself.

Profile Completeness

Filling out your profile completely will get you a lot further than you think. People on G+ like to know that they are interacting and engaging with a real person! That means you should be using your real
name!

Add Photos of yourself

This will also help to identify you. Your avatar will be your first impression so make sure you use a good inviting picture of you. You can always change your profile pic at anytime if need be.

Energy

You will notice that plussers will often have VERY HIGH energy and you would do yourself a favor by letting this rub off on you. You don't have to go the pace of the crowd as long as you keep positive, friendly and genuine. Of course, there will be people that are not to your liking that maybe mean or perhaps having a bad day or even may have spilled all their coffee and they have no more. Plussers love their coffee!

Participate in Strange Phenomena

You will notice some strange things on Google Plus like Caturday and Goaturday but this can be a great way to get your "foot in the door". Caturday takes place on Saturday and happens to be where many people share images, GIFS and videos of cats and Goaturday is much the same but with Goats! This may seem silly but is an extremely effective method of connecting with people as it's nice to have common ground with the crowd.

Quality

I'm not even going to mention quantity here because it's not something you need to be concerned with. It's not about numbers, it's about relationships and connections. This is social networking at it's finest after all!

Conclusion

Google+ is what you make it. Like an artist-- you can think of it as an open canvas in which you have all creative control. Or if you are more of a tech kind of person you can certainly think of it as an uber-geeky tool to stay connected. If you are not either of those things, that is just as well because you have just opened the "doors of perception" and the world you are about to enter could possibly change your life. 

I know it has mine.

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YouTube Comment Curmudgeoning

Everyone seems to be in an uproar about the the newly implemented comment integration between YouTube and Google Plus. Whether you are on either side of the equation -- It's not a big deal really.

It seems as though, if you were happy with the way the comments were setup before the new integration then you're going to hate it and tell the world how awful and crappy it is and that Google is a big meanie head for doing it.

On the other hand you have the people that couldn't stand the comment system (like me) and thought it was the equivalent of the writing on an old department store bathroom wall where you can also find racial and hateful comments and the always popular "Mike wuz hear."

When I talk about this subject, I admit that I am kind of biased being a Google+ fanboy and all and I am just quite shocked and appalled that so many people are "shocked and appalled" by this  new (and better) form of the way comments are dealt with.

Why is it better? Well, for one thing....ACCOUNTABILITY!

It's now easy to track all the arsenine comments that people have been leaving over the years by forcing them into a Google+ account. Here's the secret... Behave on the internet the same way you would in real life!

And another reason is that it's good for business. Yes, on Google's end, it's easier to sell advertising statistics from people who are real and not named Jackass42069 but I'll talk about that on another day!

I would like to think that the majority of us saw this integration coming from a mile away and then I learn about hundreds of YouTubers not knowing that Google+ and YouTube are owned by the same company! I understand that people may not have this knowledge but some spoke as if Google+ was bulling YouTube into "seeing it their way" in which I am just baffled by.

The move is a great move for not only Google but for the users as well. There needed to be some kind of integration and the old comments needed scrubbing. It's going to be a better, safer community for us all in the long run. You don't have to like it but there is no use getting all in a tizzy about a service that is FREE to you. 

There are alternatives to YouTube but you can kiss your paychecks goodbye if you go that route!

Watch my short vlog on the comment integration!

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