What Photos to Post on Social Media

Images are great for adding some personal zest to a website. It creates an approachable impression on your site – or you – but use them wisely. Discern which pictures among your hundreds of digital coverage of an event should be for public consumption.

1. Use a good photo of yourself. Avoid the mug shot like those you use on IDs and passports. They are usually not flattering. If you don’t have a good colored photo of yourself, a black and white or a sepia colored photo certainly adds charm – especially if you want your high school classmates to still recognize you. 

But if you really don’t have one, stick to a logo or an initial temporarily. Don’t forget that anyone can view your profile image on Facebook, so avoid inappropriate photos!

2. Don’t damage your reputation. We easily forget that what we post or say on Facebook or Twitter is viewable by anyone in the world especially when we’re in the social media bubble.

So if people come across your profile and wall, and they see uncompromising photos of you, the photos will damage your reputation. You will become the object of gossip, or worse, you might lose your job or a potential opportunity. A photo speaks a thousand words.

In fact, potential job seekers who see your posts may not hire you. You might be a threat to the company’s network of working relationships: a photo is solid evidence.

The same way with your status messages or tweets. If they are whining, complaining, negative, and aggressive, then people in your network would unfriend, unfollow, or hide you from their news feed.

The golden rule applies to photos of or with others. Do unto others what you want them to do unto you.

3. Take a general evaluation. Remember that an over-all impression of photos, tweets or status messages is as damaging as a single message or image, take time to go through your timeline, wall or albums. Or get a friend to do it. It is important to see how you’re coming across in general. 

4. Stay positive and inspiring. If you whine, send a personal or direct message to a specific friend who actually cares. We cannot deny that friendships in Facebook are often thin.

5. Discern before you post. With photos, post pictures that are worthy of memory. Before you post, think about those who will view them. Some photos like that of our immediate family may be better seen only by family members, then use the security button to select who can view them. There are predators too, so don’t expose children especially to them.

But the best rule is this: when in doubt, delete.