For those of you who aren’t familiar with the social media influencers of the industry, Chris Brogan is a social media circle all star. He’s personable, he’s smart, and most of all, he’s relatable.
I’ve often thought about what makes him more relatable than the next social media guru. Is it the fact that he seems to post at least seven times a day on his blog, so you always think he’s around? Or maybe it’s because his Twitter account may as well be on fire with his gazillion and one updates? No.
I’m starting to think Chris is relatable because he’s constantly taking photos of himself and posting them online. I don’t mean he’s got a Flickr account just for his photos. I mean every other day, I seem to see a new photo of Chris Brogan’s mug as his profile picture online:
Chris Brogan smiling. Chris Brogan being pensive. Chris Brogan’s face from the left. Chris Brogan’s face from the right. Chris Brogan with a 5 o’clock shadow. Chris Brogan without facial hair. Chris Brogan with his hair tousled. Chris Brogan getting his lights punched out by his kid. You know, the usual.
Chris Brogan’s even talked about the importance of facial recognition in blog posts, stating that people relate more to the topic of his posts if he’s got a face attached to it… on his posts, it’s usually not his own face, it’s the face of someone who’s got something to do with his post. What he doesn’t seem to realize is that constantly updating HIS face is allowing for all the more facial recognition for himself. Or maybe he does realize it…
What are your thoughts on personal photos being tied into your online presence? Is consistency important? Is professionalism important? Is this post just a load of crock and I should stop reading into these sorts of things?
I can’t decide whether Chris Brogan is being extremely vain, or just smart at getting in front of the Flickr.com audience as much as possible! Either way a little OTT on the photo front, perhaps Chris should launch his own personal site for photos, I am sure it would be very popular!
Josh, I can’t lie… while writing this post I gave some definite thought to quickly buying chrisbrogansfaces.com before publishing. 🙂
I’m very intrigued by your facial recognition statements. I’ve always thought that I didn’t want to allienate certain demographics by having my picture on my blogs, but being relatable is definitely something to consider too.
Thanks,
Tina
Relatability is an interesting idea and I think it’s true. Very interesting post.
I follow Chris and didn’t realize all the different faces he exudes, but you are right. And, is this on purpose or does he just like variety?
I think people do like to put a name to a face. With the web as big as it is, the name/face combo makes the world a little smaller and friendlier, IMO.
Very astute article.
I think it’s the best form of branding you can do. And without a doubt gives any article more credibility than say a swiped jpg. from the net would give.
I think the reluctance to use one’s personal photo comes from the old school identity theft fear on the computer. But if I’m not mistaking they want your identity not your face?
Nice article that once again is giving an old dog like me a new trick to ponder as I try out new marketing strategies.
Thanks!
@nnayap That maybe suggests you can’t do without his pictures and his face, as I am sure some of his 40,000 or so Twitter followers can’t, but if you buy the domain and tell Chris Brogan he needs to pay *says in Dr Evil from Austin Power’s voice* $1,000,000, then I am sure he will understand and comply 🙂
Well spotted! I’d not realised it until you pointed it out, but this is one neat trick. Of course the more you see someone (looking different every time) the more you’re going to relate to them as a close friend you see often, and the more different contexts you’ll associate them with.
Tricky but brilliant stuff, intentional or not. Might have to start doing it myself!
I’m not sure why I never saw this post. I have all kinds of things set up to make sure I participate if someone talks about me. Must have been at a bad time or something. Well, here I am now. (My dad saw the post, actually).
You’re spot on. I take as many photos of me for some very practical reasons. I attend and speak at several conferences. My goal with attending these events is always twofold: to educate and inspire the crowd, and to pick up business for my social media marketing agency.
It’s easier to do business with me than others, because you know EXACTLY what I look like. No one wonders. No one has that single avatar shot to choose from. THey have thousands of reference points.
That’s one use.
The other is this: if this online world is our medium, why would you ever use a single headshot to represent yourself. Are you always happy? Does your hairstyle stay the same? Are you always in a formal or a casual setting? Life is fluid, so my photos are fluid.
It’s also a way to keep people thinking, and thinking about me to boot.
You’ve discovered much. Thanks for thinking about it. : )
(Oh, and I am a little bit vain, but not about my looks: about my head.)
: )