Profile Tips – Power of Pictures
We noticed that many of our members fail to take advantage of their photo album. Pictures are your most powerful asset and can speak volumes more than anything you write on your profile. Why are pictures so powerful? Pictures are great because they’re engaging and they put a real human face to your profile. Donors in particular want to feel as though they are connecting with a real human being, not a computer screen. In fact, we’ve found from experience that Recipients who post pictures on their profile are 100% more successful at fund raising than those who do not post any pictures. Here are a few tips to consider when uploading photos to the media section in your profile:
1. Post clear pictures
There’s nothing worse than a blurry profile picture! Make sure that your profile picture is clear and you can be easily identified. Avoid using pictures that have been taken too far away, or where your back is to the camera, or even worse… half your face is missing from the picture altogether!
2. Avoid posting pictures of inanimate objects, scenery, or logos
Objects, scenic landscapes and/or logos are very impersonal. People can’t connect or relate to pictures such as these. Avoid them at all costs. Donors want to connect with real people, not a scenic pond or Pizza Hut!
3. Post tasteful pictures
Select your profile pictures carefully. The pictures you choose to share with the community can seriously make or break your chances of successfully fund raising. Consider what your profile pictures communicate. Donors are less likely to donate to a Recipient who does not take their profile pictures seriously. The best types of photos are family-centric and communicate sympathy. Often the best pictures conjure up feelings of emotion such as a photo of the whole family together including Rover!
4. Post lots of pictures!
The more pictures you post of yourself and family, the more insight you provide viewers. When Donors can view pictures of your whole family, your trip to the Grand Canyon, your son’s 2 year birthday and last year’s Memorial Day picnic with Aunt Sue… they feel as though they know you better. Pictures really do speak a thousand words!
We’d love to hear from you, what are some other tips to improve your profile?
Tags: pictures, profile tips
25. August 2009 at 1:48 am :
I can’t back you up on this one strong enough! I know when I donate it’s to people who I can see in pictures. Anywhere on the web where I have offered to help it’s been to a person or an animal that needed help, not to a logo or general icon. I research people, I read from photos the kind of life they live, the kinds of things they do, are they family people? I look for lots of pictures of moms and dads with kids..snapshots, not professional photos. I want to see that you are real people who do real things. Please don’t show me a perfect photo pose…I’m only going to think you are trying to hide your real self and family from me and if I’m going to open my wallet and offer what little I have, don’t you think you should open up a little too?
There are many members on MicroGiving as well as other help sites who have asked me to promote for them. You know who you are if you wish to let people know I have promoted for you feel free. Of everyone I promote for I always use photos. Note the S on photos…I don’t use just one pretty picture, if I’m going to stand behind your need and ask my friends to help you, I want to show my friends who I’m asking them to help. I want my friends to know you are willing to open the door to your family and let us in, let us see who you are and what you need. You can tell ALOT from a full photo album and if you have nothing to hide…your album would be full and open to people.