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Am I Hawt...or Not!

Yes, the typo is intended. Intended to underscore a point about online branding and personification. I just finished reading an intriguing thread online. Seth Godin started the discussion on his blog by asking a question about...Who's Telling You the Truth About Your Online Personal Marketing.

According to Seth, the fact is that you are judged by how you appear, how you spell, the style of your blog's typeface and even by the typos on your instant messaging...think of all the interesting concoctions of the English language you see on Twitter.

So, I clicked on the good feedback link to see where it might lead. And following the bunny trail landed on this German site where you can benefit from the wisdom of impartial strangers reviewing a number of different profile pictures and giving you their unvarnished opinion of if you look good or dorky...smart or stupid...hawt or not!

Your response to this will be determined by whether you believe people make decisions based on WHAT they see online. Can a poorly imaged photograph cost you business? Is the online world even more fickle than the real world, where beauty isn't even skin deep...it's paper thin. Hmmm....

Me? Me? Me?

This got me wondering about WHY we choose the pictures we do for our online representation. Does what we choose to display say something about where we are at the moment? If it's an unflattering image, does it mean that we're confident enough to not care...or what?

So, would you let total strangers tell you how they judge your appearance online. But then again...aren't we all veiled behind an annonymous screen? :)

If you enjoyed this article, Check out these related links:

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real estate: The Science of Selling Real Estate...Why Computer Scientists Should Stick with Computers and Let Realtors Do Their Job!

real estate: Do You Know Who's Cheering on The Sidelines for Your Blog Post? (Part 1)

real estate: Do You Know Who's Cheering on The Sidelines for Your Blog Post? (Part 2) What if They're a Fake?

real estate: Why Real Estate is Like An Expensive Box Of Chocolates!

Lola Audu, CRS, GRI e-Pro ~ Audu Real Estate

Lola Audu, is the Designated Broker & Owner of Audu Real Estate. Our company specializes in helping people buy and sell homes in the greater Grand Rapids, West Michigan area. We've had the privilege of helping hundreds of clients succeed in their goals of purchasing and selling property including demonstrated success in the negotiation of Short Sale Transactions. You can contact us via e-mail @ info@auduhomes.com or by phone at 616-791-0511.

Posted by Lola Audu~Real Estate Broker/Owner Grand Rapids, Michigan Real Estate on 08/21/2008 09:46 PM

Comments (16)

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Originally posted at: Inspired Real Estate For Today: Am I Hawt...or Not!

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16 Comments on Am I Hawt...or Not!

AUG

2008

Total strangers are judging our appearance - we just don't usually hear what they think!

The middle pic is the best.

Kathleen...you're right in your comment that it is always occuring. There's a part of me that thinks...who cares, and there's a part of me which does wonder...I don't think I care enough to join an online site though.

Lola - intriguing thoughts here. I personally am not interested in joining a site like that but can see how some folks would. I suspect some readers DO make some decisions based on a first impression, which would include our photos. Should we be concerned? Maybe.

I guess my feeling is that if that is how they are judging whether to work with me or to even call me, well then why bother doing all the other things I do to create a positive impression about my knowledge, experience, services and information that I think will be useful to them? Bottom line? I just can't worry about it too much as I think there are other things that are more important for ne to focus on for my clients and readers.

Jeff

Lola - The whole online picture thing is intruiging. I get more information about someone from reading their blog posts and comments than I ever would from a picture.

I've chosen not to post my picture even though I know there are people who won't network with anyone who doesn't have a picture posted online.

Every person is different, and has different reasoning behind their decisions. I can say that I am definitely visual AND cannot stand poor grammar. So yes, I would choose a professional based on these decisions. As for my photo, I wanted to look fun, approachable and professional, all in one. I'm also in the process of changing my persoanl branding colors. Orange was my primary ad color for years (and the color of my Infiniti FX45). And then everyone else started using that color. Well, I recently sold my car, and am experimenting with new fun, approachable, yet professional colors =)

AUG

2008

Lola, I was expecting you to tell us what photo of you they picked. (darn) I like the one in yellow, because it is warm and friendly and I know you so it is more YOU. LOL

Lola - Hmmm, that sounds like an interesting site. I'm curious as to what they'd say about my pictures... So, which photo did they pick? :)

Lola,

I believe people are more brutal on line than in person. It's hard for a still photograph to reflect personality. There's not much in body language that can be brought out in a photograph. I have a friend in a business where so many of his first contacts come from his website and on line presence. He also speaks publicly in front of hundreds of people.

When his business reached a certain level he bit the bullet and hired an image consultant. He will tell you that is some of the best money he ever spent.

When you know a little about his history and how he grew up, you would never guess it. He has truly risen above it and hiring an image consultant helped him to present to the world who he really is inside. We only get one chance at a first impression and in this electronic age, our first impression is often made before we ever meet the person.

AUG

2008

all i know is your 'lady in red' photo is one of the best on A/R....definitely professionally 'hawt'...:-)

Lola, I love the middle photo. It says "Trust me with your largest asset!" And you have a really huge thing going for you - people might confuse you with Michelle Obama!

Lola - Good points and well founded. Right, wrong, or indifferent... people are swayed by that sort of stuff. I've always liked your profile pic. Personally, I chose mine because I resemble something out of the movie 'Fight Club'. :)

AUG

2008

This is real estate - it's all about reputation, presentation. It's plain old sales. So, it's important to convey a personal branding message that conveys who you are. I think you've done a great job on your presentation!

Don't forget to get involved in the community. Join everything you can.

Lola- I still think it is all in the eyes of the beholder and we have to go with what's pleasing to us. Do I dress to please others or myself? I wear the colors and stles that I make me feel good about me.

SEP

2008

Yep! I like the lady in RED the best. In this business I think it is who you know, but if you are working with relo's I am sure it's all in the eyes of the beholder... Are you going to let us know what one they picked??

SEP

2008

What a very interesting study to find out what others think of our online image. I prefer to judge my blog on how many people hire me and call me. I do make adjustments all the time to my posts as I see business calls rise and fall from my blog. I do find it interesting what people call on and any given time.

Todd

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