7 RULES FOR A PERFECT PROFILE PICTURE

A few years ago when most of us joined various social media channels, the issue of how we looked never really mattered. We just wanted to hit up and connect with people from around the world. 

Mm... I can't forget what yahoo messenger did to me 2008/2009. 

With time, things have evolved. People who hated the social media have all joined. I recall the day my dad sent me a friend request on facebook, I was shocked because he always spoke against it. So if things have evolved this way, why are some of us still living in the dark age. 

• Has it occurred to you that your profile picture is your first impression to people? 
• Has it occurred to you that your profile picture is just like your house? I mean like for real. It tells people the kind of mentality you have and the type of house you live in. 

So, does your profile picture show you as an important person who should be loved, respected and associated with or as a berger who needs help and hope? 

How then should your profile picture look? What makes a great profile picture? 

1. It Has a Professional Look

This particular point has two parts to it. 

First, it should depict what you do or who you wish to portray yourself as. As a lawyer, you can take one with your wig on so people can easily identify you as one. If you're a thought leader, look professional with a suit on. If you're a fitness coach, look it. 

The truth about it all is that the mind can easily be deceived. Once it perceives you as something, it gets that registered. 

Secondly, it should be taken by a professional and not you. Your profile picture should never be a selfie. It's a big no no. If you don't have a phone with a powerful camera, visit a photographer. Even if your phone has a good camera, I'll still advice you to get a professional shot with a professional camera. 

2. It Should be a Headshot or Waist Up

An awesome profile picture is never a full picture showing your legs neither should it be like a passport. From waist up is good or just headshot but not with that serious passport look. An example is this attached picture. 

Profile Picture

3. The Head is Tilted. 

There's something lovely about a peaceful head tilt. Don't stand erect like a soldier. Give yourself some angle tilt. Try to kill it by maybe slightly moving your body away from the camera but bringing your head in obedience to admire the camera lens. 

Another thing too, never stand erect in a profile picture. Psychologically, it shows you as too serious and mean. You don't want that embargo. 

You know what I mean? 

Okay, I believe you do. 

So let's move on. 

4. It is like a CloseUp Advert 

I know CloseUp is not paying you but can you bring yourself to look at those beautiful faces with the angelic teeth blazing like the sun? Now that's what I mean. It's lovely and inviting.

Make yourself attractive by borrowing a few smile from your extrovert friend in case you don't have some in your bank. ‘But please don't come and bone like Bonethugz for us’.

5. It's Not With Some Eye Glasses 

It's not cool or brilliant taking profile pictures with glasses or goggles. Even if you have an eye challenge, try to keep the glasses aside when you want to take a profile picture. 

And to you who want to take a profile picture with Sun Shades on, no problem, continue. We know you are a blind man. 

But please, jokes apart, show us your eyeballs. We love it like that because those brown balls are beautiful. 

6. It's not a Mirror Selfie

Auntie slay queen please don't take profile pictures in front of a mirror. It's not cool. It shows you as not serious and without direction in life. I know you have purpose and direction so please prove them gossip prince and princess wrong. 

Uncle to you too. It's not just the ladies. 

Let's change the gear. 

7. It's Not on a White Background 

Yeah white background used to look cool, but honestly, it doesn't anymore. It doesn't look attractive to the eye. Add some colour to the background. Use something else aside white. 

But you know what? A natural environment is bae. 

A profile picture with some beautiful trees, green grasses or flowers is definitely awesome. And honestly, that's the kind of profile picture I'm planning to shoot.

I have a lot of industry CEO's and founders as connections on LinkedIn and I must tell you that many of them have green lushes showing behind them and I totally love and admire it. 

So my next profile picture will be with nature in the background. I just got a cool photographer recently and one of these days, I'll give him a call. 

So, these are the rules for a killer profile picture. Use it to your own advantage, abandon to your own business. Yes it's your business not mine but I can't help it not informing you because we are family.  

And let me shock you.

When your name is searched on Google, do you know which pictures are shown? 

Yeah, your profile pictures and the ones you've used on articles on other platforms. So you want to look important, show us you are important through your profile picture. 

It's my honest desire that you live your dreams. I love you and wish you the best. 

©Samuel Ukah