Have you lately checked out your Instagram profile? Our topic of discussion today is your Instagram profile photo. Some are excellent. Some are awful. Some just make you scratch your head and wonder about the stability of humanity.
“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”
You’ve probably heard this proverb at least a few times throughout your life. The life lesson here is a good one and deserves to be absorbed, despite the fact that none of us can be positive of who came up with it first.
It’s ridiculous to imagine that one simple circular shot might make or destroy your reputation, especially given the fact that Instagram is entirely composed of pictures. Accordingly, it’s the first picture you upload to Instagram Nation. Therefore, it’s not a completely crazy concept.
How can you make sure your Instagram profile image is more of a stud than a dud, therefore, without further ado? Listed below are 10 suggestions that can help you relax:
1. Your Face Is The Main Image.
This one seems like a little bit of a no-brainer, doesn’t it? Why wouldn’t you show everyone your beautiful whites if it’s your Instagram account?
Although it may seem unusual, scrolling through your Instagram feed just takes five seconds to uncover a random account with a dog as its profile image.
The thing is, people bond more strongly with faces than with animals or other things. Therefore, if you are the face of your company, you should also be the face of your Instagram account, which takes the shape of a profile photo.
2. Whenever Possible, Use A Professional Photo.
Your profile picture should be as clear, professional, and sharp as possible. Listen, it’s fantastic if you can afford to employ a full-time photographer to take some headshots for you.
If it’s not, just enlist the help of one of your cooler friends and have them take some amazing pictures with a fancy camera. You could even use your own self-timer or lend someone your iPhone to take some excellent pictures. Today, there are a ton of ways to take crystal-clear, gorgeous pictures.
Do not, under any circumstances, use that sweaty selfie you snapped at Disneyland a couple years ago. It won’t work, unfortunately. Spend time shooting a decent shot if you want to make the greatest impression on your audience.
3. Discover This Thing Up Close And Personal.
No, there is no reason to encroach on another person’s privacy. We’re trying to say that you shouldn’t attempt to take on too much with your profile picture.
Consider the fact that your profile picture is already a little size on your official account page. Think about how little it shows when people go through their own Instagram accounts.
Crop your profile picture to show only your head and shoulders. Anything more will make you seem less human and more like a mustard seed. If you’re still unsure, spend a few seconds merely glancing at the profile photographs while you navigate through your Instagram feed. See for yourself what we mean.
4. Don’t Be Afraid To Show Who You Really Are.
You are the focus of your Instagram account. It’s your responsibility to portray your authentic self as a result. You have to be personable.
Again, even if you’re using Instagram to market your company, keep in mind that prospective clients will prefer to work with individuals they already know, like, and trust.
Yes, depending on the individual, this could be challenging and a little embarrassing, but if you can manage a grin, your supporters will be very grateful.
The first step in helping your followers get to know you is via your profile photo. Share your personality by wearing something professional, making a silly face, or doing something completely different.
5. Size Does Matter In This Case
People, get your minds out of the gutter; this is about Instagram. Anyhow, most people are unaware of how little an Instagram profile picture is.
On a desktop computer, it’s just 110X110 pixels, for real. Consider this and modify your strategy appropriately. For this reason, you want your picture to be as closely cropped. People who follow you and may follow you want to see you in the top left corner! Give the populace their wish.
6. Use Your Logo If You’re A Business.
You can (and probably should) use your logo as your profile image if you manage a company account on Instagram. This will help in ensuring that your branding is consistent throughout all of your websites, social media accounts, emails, and other platforms where you utilize your logo or otherwise represent your brand.
Especially if your firm consists of more than just you, using your logo makes you seem more professional.
Use one of your own photographs if you’re an influencer or a company owner with a personal brand that you’re the face of. This makes you more relatable to your audience and lets them know who they should follow.
For their followers to get to know them better, businesses that use their logo as their profile picture may still post personal images in the feed or Stories.
7. Avoid Using Off-Center Photos.
Although it may be common to follow the rule of thirds in larger images and position you or the topic out to the side, this is not the case for profile shots. Your profile photo is crucial, but it’s also little.
Your face will seem much smaller if you pick an off-center picture. Inside the little area, you’ll also make it more difficult for others to see and identify you.
Find a great picture of you in the middle instead. It will be simpler for your fans and prospective followers to find you, engage with you, and determine whether or not they want to spend time looking at your account as a result.
8. Use A Photo You Won’t Have To Update Often.
Since your profile picture plays a significant role in your branding, you want people to be able to notice and identify you even in the tight Instagram community.
They may get perplexed if you often change your profile photo, or they may swipe past your posts without recognizing it. The “cover” for your Stories at the top of the app also uses your profile photo. People may not click on your Stories if they don’t recognize your photo.
Choose a picture that you genuinely enjoy and that fits with your brand rather than one that you’ll need to replace often. Use nothing seasonal or time-sensitive, such as a photo of you next to a tree during the holiday season. Choose a timeless image with a traditional, neutral backdrop.
9. Make Certain You’re Using the Proper Size.
Despite the fact that Instagram profile images are so tiny, you should nevertheless post a high-quality image.
The last thing you want to do is submit a picture that is too tiny and have Instagram make it blurry.
This not only does not represent your company well, but it also makes it more difficult for viewers to see an already tiny picture.
10. Make Sure It Fits Your Brand.
Don’t choose a gloomy, somber image for your profile picture if your brand is consistently vibrant and cheerful. It will sound fake, and your audience could be perplexed.
Instead, choose a picture that goes with your brand. Even while the colors are significant, this goes beyond that.
You should also make an effort to convey the tone of your brand, such as whether it is lively and amusing or subdued and serious. There is no right or wrong option here, but you want your Instagram profile photo to convey the essence of your company.