Sometimes, we make public relations and social media too complex and overlook the most basic block-and-tackle activities. I challenge you to shore up the foundations of your PR and social media programming this year. Journalists will thank you. Your communities will thank you. And you’ll be thanked with better branding, greater media coverage and deeper conversations with your customers. Let’s start with your image.

New Year-New Habit No. 4: Get a Professional Headshot

One of our marketing partners, David Moyle (@davidmoyle), suggested today’s habit to master:

“In today’s rapidly changing, technology-driven business environment, it is important that you have a great head shot of yourself for your web site and online social media profiles. Your personal head shot is becoming synonymous with your personal brand. Your head shot is your first impression in the modern world of business. How many times have you seen a bad, (or outdated) head shot of someone on a social media site that causes you to make a determination about that person’s professionalism without ever having met him or her? Or, worse yet, when you meet them, you could swear they are not the same person.”

No bait and switch. Get a headshot. And update it at least every two years (or more frequently if you have gained/lost a lot of weight or changed your hairstyle dramatically).

What public relations or social media habit would you like to develop this year? Let me know in the reply below.