How-To: Post a Profile Photo on GovLoop

For many members, GovLoop is their first foray into the world of social media.

If this is true for you, that may mean that you’re hesitant to upload a photo. Posting your picture here is a big step, especially if you’re just just dipping your toes in the water of “Government 2.0” or “Web 2.0.”

You probably want to look around and remain relatively anonymous. That’s an understandable approach and I want to say right up front: “I feel ya.” Really, I do.

But I also think the members who get the most value out of this site are the ones who approach it as they do any other social environment: with a human face and voice. We’ll get to the voice in another blog post. For now, I’d like to start with your beautiful (or handsome!), smiling face.

A couple words on why, then how. Why post a picture? Three quick reasons:

– It builds trust. There’s something about seeing people face-to-face that helps us feel a greater sense of confidence in engagement. Posting a picture is as close as we get to that in-person experience while communicating online.

– It helps you find and connect with people in-person. I’m sure many members could attest to hearing this remark at least once in the past year: “I know you. I recognize you from [insert social media tool here]!” Plus, there’s nothing like being at an event and finally meeting someone that you’ve only known virtually. Having seen their photo for all those months makes it even sweeter to see them for real.

– It establishes you as, well, you. – You’re not the GovLoop logo. We’re proud of it and think it’s pretty darn cool, but we’d prefer to see you!

Now the how:

1. In the upper right, just below your name, Go to Settings.

2. On the left side of the page, Go to Profile.

3. Right there at the top, we make it really easy – hit the button marked “Choose Photo”.

4. You probably have a great photo of yourself somewhere on your computer. If so, navigate to that folder and file, then Double Click on the Photo.

NOTE: We recommend a headshot. If you don’t have one, but have other photos that could work if cropped (i.e. in a group, photo of just you but head is smaller, etc.), there are some free, easy-to-use websites like Phixr and Pixer that don’t even require a log-in to upload and fix your photo.

5. Once you have found and uploaded the photo, scroll to the bottom of the page and hit Save.

That’s it. That was easy, eh?

Looking forward to “seeing” YOU on GovLoop!