Your online image is everything that’s on the Internet that’s associated with your business. Does your online image say “expert in your field”? Or does it say, “Clueless!”?


You might think social media is not really important, but it actually is. In reality, the consumer is searching for information, entertainment, products, and/or services when they need or want them. What do they see when they stumble upon your Facebook business page, your profile pages on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, or Pinterest? What about your Google Business Profile page or YouTube channel? Do you have them set up properly?
Here are Some Social Media Online Image Blunders I’ve Seen:
Google Business Profile (GBP)
A local business that hasn’t been verified. They haven’t posted anything — pictures or promotions. Videos on YouTube are years old and they come up in Google searches! Personal videos are posted on their business YouTube channel and they show on their GBP! That’s a MAJOR OOPS!
These things are HUGE! If you’re not a verified local business, you’re not going to come up in Google Maps — hence, you don’t exist. If you’re not posting regularly to your GBP page, Google will ignore you! Even if you’re an ecommerce business or a consultant who works from home, you still need to have a Google Business Profile properly set up. Plus, there’s a lot you can do with it to get Google’s attention! GBP posts image dimensions are 720 x 720.
Social Media Cover Graphic


This company has a clothing line made from sustainable materials. Ideally, they should have pictures of the clothes, right? That makes sense. In this case, a collage of the clothes they sell would be optimal. Here’s an example of an ecommerce business that got it right…


You have 2 seconds to catch someone’s attention online! They need to know immediately what it is that you do!
Like with Tada Rugs, you know instantly what it is they are selling. It says, “I’ve got beautiful yoga rugs that would look great in your home!”
Here are more online image busters…
Facebook:
Having no cover graphic says lazy, clueless, and unprofessional. A fuzzy graphic says we don’t care. Again, it’s a free billboard — use it effectively. In this day and age, with free or inexpensive online graphic tools, you can create a nice, branded cover graphic in minutes! There is no excuse for fuzzy graphics or images with illegible text. I heard that Canva’s prices are going up. I use Adobe Express. It’s only $99/year. Well worth it! Facebook cover graphic dimensions are 820 x 312 pixels.
An incomplete about section says I’m not an expert in anything. This is free space to insert a keyword-centric description of your business and tell potential customers about your product or service. Describe what you have to offer. Use up all the space.
“Send Message” call-to-action (CTA) & you don’t respond quickly or at all — I don’t want your business. In addition, put a link to your website. That will help increase traffic. And, put “Learn More” rather than “Visit Website” — it’s more of a command — a better CTA.




On Instagram you don’t have a cover graphic, however, you do have the icon and bio for branding.
I’ve seen logos that are too small or cut off, and in some, there is text in it that is illegible. That says, I’m lazy and don’t feel this is important enough to do it correctly.
The icon or avatar is your logo — your brand. You’re either branding your company or yourself. Pick one and be consistent throughout your social media profiles. Create your logo as a 400 x 400 SQUARE. That way, you can use it on all the social media networks. If you try to upload a rectangular graphic into the avatar, it will get cut off. That says — sloppy and I don’t know what I’m doing!
You have 160 characters to compose an effective bio. Don’t use flowery language. Furthermore, add relevant hashtags. Yes, in your bio! People can follow hashtags on Instagram. This will expand your reach and exposure.
Note: My business is not on Instagram as I’m B2B. I do have a personal Instagram account that I use for my ministry.
X (Formerly Twitter):
Zero tweets. No picture or logo. No cover graphic. That says newbie or a fake account. Bio with personal information on a business account — I’m not serious about my business. I don’t care how many kids you have (unless you’re a mom blogger) or that you love to go fishing. I want to see what expert information you have to share. Therefore, keep business and personal separate. By the way, you can have more than one X account as long as you have separate emails.
The X cover graphic is 500 x 1500 pixels. Don’t take a small graphic and try to fit it into the space. That screams SLOPPY! Not a good image!
Like on Instagram, you have 160 characters for your bio. Use the same one! Be consistent! And don’t forget the hashtags!


LinkedIn:
Incomplete profile, no picture – unprofessional, untrustworthy, not serious. No company profile page — you’re not legit. Watch my LinkedIn webinar videos: How to Market your Business on LinkedIn. Learn how to do it right. You’re in business for the long haul. Both your profiles should reflect this. LinkedIn helps build trust and credibility. The LinkedIn cover graphics are different for your personal profile and your business page: Personal: 1920 x 1080; Business: 1,188 x 191.
People buy from those they know and trust.


Out of all the major social media networks, Pinterest is the most ignored! In reality, it’s a powerful search engine for people seeking to do something. If you’re B2C or ecommerce, don’t have a Pinterest business account, and are not pinning regularly, that says to me that you’re clueless about its power. Even if you’re B2B, it helps with SEO! Like X and Instagram, you can have both a personal and a business account as long as you use 2 separate emails. Do not mix business with personal! I don’t want to see pictures of your puppies unless you’re a breeder! Like on X and Instagram, you only have 160 characters for your bio. The Pinterest cover graphic dimensions are 1280 x 854 pixels.
Here’s my business Pinterest account…


YouTube
YouTube is the second largest search engine next to its parent, Google. Besides the cover graphic and logo, you have several places to customize and brand your channel. Not fully optimizing your YouTube channel shows that you’re clueless and you don’t have time or care to do it properly. The dimensions of the YouTube cover are 1280 x 720 pixels. However, it appears differently on various devices — TV, desktop, or mobile.


Notice that my branding is consistent throughout the networks. They look like extensions of my website.
Ignoring Your Social Media
Setting up social media accounts and not posting on them daily — you’re not in business, you don’t care about your customers, you don’t want to connect with your customers. If you’re not going to use your social media accounts, close them. Furthermore, take off the links from your website. Additionally, check the links on your website to make sure they go to your social media profiles and open in a new tab or page.
Having an incomplete social media profile page is like having a sloppy lobby.
I know that setting all these up and having consistent branding is a time-consuming effort. I can help! Let’s start with a FREE 15-minute Zoom call and brainstorming session!
How about the Online Image on Your Blog and Website?


Blog:
Naturally, if your last blog post was more than 1 month ago — Lazy, or no longer in business. No social media buttons — both share and follow buttons — you don’t want to grow your following or you’re not up with today’s culture. Moreover, you make me work to connect with you — not interested in my business or building a relationship.
If you’re using a free Blogger or WordPress site with no domain name — this is a hobby and not a real business. Cheap. Moreover, it doesn’t cost that much to have a domain name and a hosted WordPress site and blog.
Links that don’t work on your website (404 Page not Found) — incompetent, not tech savvy. You don’t care about user experience. Your website is way more than a pretty online brochure!
Similarly, thinking that a Facebook Business Page can be a substitute for a website — that says, “I’m a joke and just playing at my business.” It’s better to have a starter website. I understand that for startups, money is tight and you’re doing everything yourself. No matter what, the old saying still holds true…
You only have one chance to make a good first impression!
Don’t Skimp on Your Image.
In conclusion, take a step back and view your online image from your potential customer’s point of view. Does it make sense? Look at your website and social media profile pages. Is it easy for THEM to get what they need or want? Above all, is it easy for them to do what YOU want them to do? Is it enticing enough to get them to convert? That is, download a freebie, join your email list, schedule an appointment, or best yet, buy something. The last thing you want is a frustrated or disappointed potential customer. They’ll just leave and go to a competitor.
This is just a shortlist! Check out all of the mistakes I’ve seen people make online…
Here’s a video that goes into more detail on branding and online image…
Overwhelmed? Don’t know where to start? Let’s do a free 15-minute Zoom call so I can analyze your business’s marketing efforts and guide you in the right direction.


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