Use Your Social Media Profile Images The Right Way For Your Construction Marketing.
It probably seems like a tiny detail to you.
Your Social Media Profile Images.
(In case you’re not in the know, these are image spaces – usually circular or square in some cases - you can upload on a social media page that help people identify you.)
But often it’s the small things that have the biggest impact.
And what if I told you that by not using the right type of image in your Profile Image spaces could lead to…
❌ Loss of business.
❌ Confuse your clients.
❌ Ruin your business brand.
❌ Ruin your personal brand.
❌ Give direct enquiries to your competitors.
Yes.
I’ve seen ALL of the above happen.
Because Trade and Construction pros didn’t know the online etiquette or consider on a deeper level what images they were uploading.
Don’t let this be you.
And it’s REALLY easy to avoid these disasters.
Here's how.
Let’s go through EXACTLY how to use your social media profile images the right way for your construction marketing…
1. Use your logo for your construction Facebook Business Profile Image.
Let’s start with this one.
As it’s probably the one I see the most mistakes with.
For those not in the know – there are two types of Facebook profiles that exist.
A personal profile - which is usually private that only friends and family can see, and you upload photos of your holidays and fun times out with loved one.
And a business profile – this acts like a mini website within Facebook and is where you go to promote your business to the world and is visible to the public.
Now.
The do’s and don’ts.
Use your construction logo for your Facebook Business profile image.
Why?
✅ Because it builds brand awareness – you start becoming recognisable on other marketing assets (your vans, website) as people start becoming familiar with your logo.
✅ You don’t become confused with competitors.
✅ You give a more professional first impression.
Now here’s what you shouldn’t do.
❌ Avoid using a photo of your work – if there are other Facebook pages with the same/similar business name as you, customers may get confused and end up on their page. (Your logo would have helped them know instantly if it’s you or not).
❌ Though I see this sometimes for business who are a ‘one-man’ band, again there may be some confusion for the customer as to if they’re on the right page or not – especially if they don’t know what you look like.
❌ Using a photo of you can also limit the type of enquiries you get. I.e. if someone is looking for a large construction company for a big job and they see one person’s face (and maybe even just a mobile number in the About Section) it may APPEAR you are a one-person operation and they might move to the next company who appear bigger – even if in fact your company is more than capable of taking on that work.
If you’re working on levelling up your Facebook Business profile, then you will definitely find this helpful.
How to Brand your Facebook Page for your Construction Business in 5 Easy Steps.
Give it a read.
And nail more than just your profile image.
👌🏽
2. Use a personal image for your Facebook Personal Profile image.
Your personal Facebook page is used for you, your friends and family.
And for MOST people, is set to private.
However.
Something you should know.
⚠️ Your personal Facebook profile image is still visible to the public even if the rest of your personal page has been set to private.
Why do I tell you this?
Because as human beings we are inquisitive bunch.
And for many of your construction ideal clients we’ll put a small bet on the fact a number of them will be looking you up personally online to uncover if you are who you say you are and do a little digging.
If you are to be trusted in our homes and business, then it makes a lot of sense that we do our due diligence and find out what we can about you before the work commences.
And trust me.
A LOT of people do this.
Which is why what you do online on your personal social media pages STILL has a big impact on how your construction business is perceived.
Example.
Let’s jump back to that Facebook private prefile image on your personal account (that everyone can see, even if your personal account is set to probate).
If you have a wonderful snap of you and your family in there, on holiday, everyone looking very happy and having a great time, what do you think your clients (especially if you are domestic trade and your ideal clients are also growing families) will think?
That you’re a hardworking, family-orientated individual, growing their business so that you can spend more time with your young family.
Versus this.
Your profile image is of you, looking a little worse for wear (clearly drunk) being held up by laughing friends whilst on a hen/stag do?
What impression might your clients get of you then?
Yes. It seems unfair that we should be judged for what we do in our personal time.
But if what we do in our peroneal time ends up online for potential future clients to see, and doesn’t’ align with the values of our ideal clients, modifying their first impression of us then it’s not their fault.
In this EXTREMELY digital, fast paced world we now live in, it's your duty to manage your personal brand online as much as it is to manage your business brand.
And profile images play a bit part in this.
Find out here if Your Personal Brand On Social Media Is Ruining Your Construction Marketing.
It'll make you rethink what you share online for sure.
3. Use a professional headshot for your LinkedIn Personal Profile image.
LinkedIn is great for making connections, especially if your construction business serves the commercial sector, or ideal introducers of regular work for you are in the commercial space.
Example.
You might run a decorating business for residential homes, but in fact Estate Agents are great introduces of lots of work for you.
You find many Estate Agents on LinkedIn so may be a great use of your time to start making connections there solely for the introducers.
Anyway.
Much like Facebook, LinkedIn allows you to have a personal profile and a business one.
Starting with the personal page this time.
This absolutely should be a photo of YOU in the profile image.
Not your construction logo design.
But if you really want to make the best impression possible, here is where I’d say to push the boat out and look at creating a professional headshot image.
They DEFINITELY go a long way on for your LinkedIn Construction marketing.
✅ Not many folk in construction get professional headshots created.
✅ You give a better first impression – that you take your construction business seriously.
✅ This may help towards landing larger contracts with bigger clients as professional headshots help set you apart from a LOT of smaller construction companies.
Find out more about why professional headshots are one of the best long-term investments you can make for your construction marketing here…
9 Reasons You Need Professional Headshots For Your Construction Marketing.
4. Use your construction logo for your LinkedIn Business Profile Image marketing.
And just like for your Facebook Business Profile, it is your logo that needs to be used for the profile image.
For all the same reasons.
✅ Because it builds brand awareness – you start becoming recognisable on other marketing assets (your vans, website) as people start becoming familiar with your logo.
✅ You don’t become confused with competitors.
✅ You give a more professional first impression.
Plus, you want to be able to set apart your personal LinkedIn page from your business page – and if you end up using your professional headshot for both, you may end up confusing some non-savvy LinkedIn users.
5. Use a personal image for your personal Instagram profile image.
Much like your personal Facebook, your personal Instagram account is most likely used for your friends and family.
So the profile image you use here, of course, does not have to be business related.
But – just like our advice with your personal Facebook account…
⚠️ BE CAREFUL THE IMAGE YOU CHOOSE HERE.
When we come to look you up as an individual and do a search on Instagram for you, though your personal Instagram account may be set to private, we will still be able to see the profile image.
6. Use your construction logo for you Instagram profile image marketing.
And just like your Facebook Business profile and LinkedIn Company page, be sure to you your construction logo for your Instagram business account…
✅ More professional.
✅ Builds brand awareness for your construction business.
✅ Potential customers less likely to end up on a competitor page with a similar name.
⬇️ Use Your Social Media Profile Images The Right Way For Your Construction Marketing Rundown:
✅ Facebook Business Profile – Use your construction logo.
✅ Facebook Personal Profile – Use a personal photo that aligns with your ideal clients’ values.
✅ LinkedIn Personal Profile – use a headshot (preferably a professional headshot)
✅ LinkedIn Company Profile – Use your construction logo.
✅ Instagram Personal Profile – Use a personal photo that aligns with your ideal clients’ values.
✅ Instagram Business Profile – Use your construction logo
🛠 Need a little more help nailing your Trades and Construction Marketing?
Course you do.
First. Let’s work out where you are with all things Marketing.
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Take our Trades Quiz to discover how you score with all things ‘Off The Tools’.
We have heaps of tips, tricks, and hacks for your Trade and Construction business in our cheat sheets, videos and ideas waiting for you on the other side… i.e., your results page.
So, you can improve your score. And NAIL your Trade and Construction business.
Nice.