A Picture is worth a thousand words, or so the saying goes. And when it comes to Instagram, your profile picture is one of the most important things you have to get right. It's the first thing people see, and it can make or break whether you get a new follower. So how do you choose the perfect one? Here are a few tips to help you out!
Let's go through seven tips on how to make a good impression with your profile picture.
#1 Decide between a logo and your face
While some brands use a logo to best represent their account, most creators choose a picture of themselves.
Suppose you are a brand run by multiple people or involved in areas like retail or media. In that case, a logo may be the best bet to fully encompass what you represent.
But if you are a creator operating alone for the most part, such as most bloggers or lifestyle creators, your brand is YOU. People prefer to follow people over brands. Remember that.
So, ideally, you want your profile to be a clear photo of your face. Remember that using your face as your profile picture gives viewers a more immediate chance to see who you are.
#2 Good lighting only
You may need to improve your photography skills, but you can still maximize your photoshoot opportunities.
Try taking your profile picture in a setting with lots of natural light. Harsh lighting does no one justice (anyone else terrified of fitting room lighting? No? Just us?). So if you are taking a picture in your house, try doing so in front of a window.
With access to a ring light, you can create that natural feel without working with the elements! Think of soft and flattering lighting.
#3 Add something to catch the eye
You don't want to overdo it, but adding a pop of color, a relevant prop, or a fun pose to your profile picture can be a great way to grab your viewer's attention.
You may manipulate the background of your selfie to be a specific eye-catching color. According to Influencer Marketing Hub, it’s all about “Citrusy and Juicy. Colours like yuzu, tangerine, and bold orange will rule the Instagram colour palette in 2022."
And pink and pretty much anything 70s pastel is popping and back in style. So if it feels on brand for you, edit your profile photo accordingly.
If you have a strong color scheme for your profile, consider adding this color to your picture. Maybe you are a red lover, and your feed is popping with different shades of red. Tie that in by wearing something red in your photo.
If your content is heavily influenced by one thing, for example, cooking, think of using something relevant to cooking as a prop. You could have a picture of you holding your favorite dish or cooking utensil.
Lastly, consider posing in a way that represents your brand. The easiest example of this would be for someone like a yogi. Pose in a yoga position that clearly shows your face while also conveying what your brand is all about.
But don’t make it weird. If you are going to use a prop or a pose, try and make it feel natural. We're not going for awkwardly staged prom photos; you just want potential followers to get to know you and what you stand for as quickly as possible.
#4 Go for longevity
While your niche will likely stay the same throughout your content creation career, you will still evolve and grow as you learn and perfect your strategy. When choosing your profile picture, think of what will work best for your brand now, you’ll be updating this photo as you and the trends and your brand evolve.
A great way to kill the longevity of your profile picture is to have it too themed. For example, start your profile around a holiday and include some sort of decoration in your picture. You're going to have to update it sooner rather than later.
You don't want to change your profile picture monthly, so go for longevity. The less you have to update, the better your brand consistency will be.
#5 Choose a simple Background
Clutter distracts the eye. Remember, unless you choose to use a logo, you are the star of this picture.
Choosing a background with too much going on will take the focus off your face, which you don't want. Whatever it takes to make your face pop.
#6 Do not overdo it with the filters
You have probably seen the vast array of filters you can utilize at the touch of a button on Instagram. While you CAN use them in your profile picture, it's best not to overdo it. Some filters can be subtle and nice, but many are highly noticeable, and we are going for authenticity.
If you decide to use a filter, try to go for a minimalistic option that increases contrast and saturation but doesn't make you look like you're trying to be an anime character.
#7 Don't be afraid to edit and crop
You probably won't get the perfect photo taken on your phone (unless you're a master of the angles and understand lighting).
If you have a picture you love, but it just needs a little tweaking, consider using platforms such as Canva or VSCO. Both give you easy tools to correct images and crop out unwanted spaces.
Conclusion
So, what's the verdict? What should your profile picture look like? If you want an accurate snapshot of who you are and what you represent, go for something open, timeless, and welcoming.
But don't forget to have fun with it too! A great profile picture can show your personality and make your audience laugh. And if all else fails, say cheese! Thanks for following our tips on choosing the perfect profile picture. Now get out there and start representing yourself in the best way possible!
