A friend was telling me that her father called her the other day asking her what a selfie was. He was always hearing about this concept and was worried about seeming behind on the latest trends.
Ellen Degeneres’ selfie with other stars at the Oscars got more media attention than major international issues. Even though Oxford gave the selfie the honor of being the word of the year in 2013 it is nevertheless just a trend. The selfie is similar to a fashion accessory, and right now it is clearly a hot one. Regardless, just like you have to be cautious about trying new fashion trends without harming your image, selfies must be used with the same caution.
So listen up people… before taking that next selfie making the infamous duck face, you really have to slow down and consider how this can harm your personal brand.
Think before you CLICK
Have you really thought this through? A selfie is taken during the heat of the moment and most often it is not an action that is properly thought through. Taking a selfie does not give you adequate time to reflect and evaluate your actions. It is very likely that the impulsive moment can cause you regret later.
Too close for comfort
When you take that selfie your face is literally an arms length away from the lens. Are you really that comfortable having people “up in your face?” Do you want everyone to have that intimacy with you or is this level of closeness best reserved for more private encounters? Remember that your posts form an impression that everyone will have of you. Your next boss will see that selfie you posted. If you do not find it appropriate for your boss to conduct an interview standing only a couple of inches away from your FACE then face it, it is also inappropriate to post that selfie.
Borderline between humility and vanity
Although presenting your personal characteristics is crucial to developing a brand, there is a line that can be crossed when it simply becomes too personal. We do not need to see your selfies as you go about your daily routine. Occasional photos of yourself will make your audience feel closer and connected to you. However, posting a selfie of you at the gym, having lunch, watching a movie, in your car (or worse, driving your car) is going overboard. You would have a very big ego to believe that your followers are interested in every little tedious task you do. People generally don’t feel connected with vain individuals. Most often the reaction towards conceited people is distaste, so if your aim is to develop a personal brand that will get others interested in you, then cut back on the flow of selfies. Trust me, we have seen enough already.
That selfie will define and limit you
People once used fashion to represent their unique personalities, but selfies have now replaced that bohemian shirt or rocker jacket. Think about what type of individual a selfie defines you as. Is it consistent with the personal brand you wish to portray? For instance just like certain dress codes are banned from the work place, think of your photos as a type of dress code and try to be consistent in how you portray yourself. Are you that conceited person who only cares about their fit body or that caring and passionate one who wants to protect the environment? Seems dramatic, but your selfie will have a major impact on what type of individual people will perceive you as. Think about everyone that will have access to these photos and how they will evaluate your identity. Although it might be very luring to post a selfie of your ripped abs right after a work out, just take a minute to think about what qualities you wish to be known for, that hot body or your creative mind.
No DELETE button
Once you post something, there is no going back. Everyone is prone to making mistakes but the selfie trend makes the world aware of all your mistakes. For instance if you post a selfie of you partying, driving, or engaging in any other destructive behavior you are not the only one who will have to live with that knowledge. Everyone got a very intimate glimpse of what you’ve done. People can change and learn from their mistakes but once that selfie is public there is no going back. You only have one chance to make an impression on people, and no matter how much you have grown and changed people will always perceive you as that “bad” misguided person.
Before pressing “share” on that next selfie photo imagine a million judgmental eyes hovering over you and attacking you. Sounds like a scene from a horror movie right? Well it is a scary world out there. You can either use social media to elevate your social brand and success or you can allow it to DESTROY you. Strong language… right? Well perhaps it is, but getting fired from a job that you love so much because of that selfie you took yesterday while driving evokes some strong emotions.
