How To Put Up A Great Instagram Profile Picture
Every person who wants to follow you will first see your Instagram profile picture and bio. This is your first online impression of the world so it has to be ‘picture-perfect’😎, right?
Your display picture might make the users go to your page and see your content or buy your products.🤩
You can definitely dazzle your fans with your posts, stories, reels, etc. But it is the DP (Display Picture) that is seen in notifications, in their inbox, etc. So let us ensure that the image of you that is projected across on your favorite social media platform is the best for you.
For every business/brand/agency page, having the right Instagram profile picture is imperative. This is because it shows what your company is all about in just one image. If you are a company selling creative products, your profile picture should reflect that. So give a thought about what your business represents and portray that in the Instagram profile picture.
Another thing about a profile pic is that once you select it, let it stay for years, especially if you want to be a social media influencer. The reduced version of this image will be seen with your username which will become your brand. Once people familiarize themselves with your brand, you do not want to change it. It is like the logo of your company, you don’t change that again and again, do you?
Reasons why you should have a good Instagram profile picture
1. It is your brand
Your profile picture on every social media should be the same and stay the same for years as it is your brand. Your fans should be able to instantly recognize you in a sea of icons if you establish your brand and stay consistent. So make sure that the picture you choose represents what you or your company stands for.
2. Story icon
If you go on Instagram, you will be able to see the icons of users who have posted a story (or stories) today. You can scroll and select the one that you want to see. If you establish your brand well, your icon i.e your profile picture will be immediately recognized and your fans will be eager to see an update from you. So make sure the picture is “picture-perfect” as it will be seen in stories all the time.
3. Your Instagram profile picture helps build credibility
Think of big companies and how their logo immediately gets instant recognition and trust. Your picture can become credible over the years so you must choose the right and the relatable one.
How to change your Instagram profile picture
Go on Instagram on your mobile and click on the icon on the bottom-right where your profile pic will come. Select the option of “Edit Profile” and then “Change Profile Photo”. You can import one from Facebook or upload a new one from your Gallery.
Before deciding on your permanent profile picture, there are certain dos and don’ts that you should keep in mind. Let us go through them -
1. Do — Make sure you get the dimensions right
Instagram profile picture size is an important element to consider in the process of deciding the perfect profile picture. The image should be as clear as possible. If it is possible, click pictures in a high-quality camera and upload an HD image as a profile picture. Instagram displays 110 x 110 on mobile and 180 x 180 pixels on the browser.
Another thing to keep in mind is that once you put up the image, the profile picture will be displayed in a circle and it will cut out the corners of your square photo. So the best photo to upload would be the one with a 1:1 aspect ratio, with 200 x 200 pixels, and with you in the center so half your face doesn’t get cut off.
2. Do — Choose the right color and color scheme
If this is your company page where the logo is blue, then ensure that all the pictures that you post are also in the same color scheme. It is important to have the profile picture, the posts, and the stories all in the same 2–3 colors for aesthetic appeal. The more pleasing it is to look at, the more followers you get. Going through your posts should be an enjoyable experience.
3. Do — Ensure that your Instagram profile picture is evergreen
A lot of brands and Insta celebs do the mistake of posting a seasonal picture on the display. If you post your picture near a Christmas tree, it looks out of date in the summer. Keep a neutral background so it is applicable throughout the year.
4. Do — Select the one with good lighting and clear contrast
While clicking the picture, make sure there is plenty of natural light. Look at the camera squarely and smile in a way that reaches your eyes and shows your teeth. Your Instagram profile will look best if you are wearing dark-colored suits with light-colored button-downs in your profile picture.
5. Do — Use cute props
Instagram profile pics are all about expressing how you look as well as how you are as a person. Show something about yourself in the profile picture itself so your followers can have something in common with you from the get-go. If you are having trouble thinking of a prop, ask yourself “What is the one thing about you that you would want everyone to know?” or “What means the most to me?”
The best way to get more followers is to have a relatable prop in the profile picture. There are other simple ways to get more followers as well. But the best prop in an Instagram profile we can all agree on is a pet. Grab your furry friend and give them some of the spotlight. Cute profile pics need cute furry friends in them.
6. Don’t — Use an off-center picture
If you want a cool profile pic, choose the one where you are in the center. If you are in the far end, you will get cut out of your own profile picture and that is just laughable.
7. Don’t — Use a full-body image or text photo
Good profile pictures are the ones that have a close-up picture of a person or just a small one or two words in the image. A lot of users make the mistake of having a quote on it but they forget that followers won’t be able to clearly read the text. It is better to have quotes in the bio instead and keep the profile picture simple. Aesthetic profile pictures are the ones that are eye-catchy and easily understandable with a glance. Don’t make your fans work to see your profile picture.
If you are really into quotes and want to share them with people, post them in images to increase engagement with your audience. Increasing engagement is the best part about being a social media influencer and if you need some tips on increasing the fan interaction, click here for a few simple hacks.
8. Don’t — Hide your face with props
People try to take cool profile pictures using sunglasses and hats. Don’t make that mistake as an influencer. Profile pictures are supposed to look approachable which means you should shed the props that hide your beauty and embrace the camera. If you are having trouble with that or feel self-conscious, forget about the camera and focus on a point near the camera. What is the person clicking the picture wearing? Focus on that or something else instead.
Other things to avoid are hair and shadow over the face. You don’t have to take hair out of the picture, just make sure that it is not covering too much of your face. If the sun is coming into your eyes and making you squint, change the direction. Try not to squint or glare at the camera. Find a sweet spot where your eyes look naturally relaxed.
Ensure that no shadow is coming over your eyes because it makes you look darker and sleep-deprived. Don’t try to look sexy with your facial expression either because it doesn’t look sexy to a lot of people. Just be your happy self and post all the hot pics in the Instagram feed.
There are a lot of things to keep in mind while clicking good pictures for your profile but don’t forget to have fun.
Clicking pictures and capturing your current self is important even if you don’t get your perfect Instagram profile pic.
Once you have selected the profile picture, you can start increasing your follower count with awesome posts, engaging stories, and accurate hashtags. Never underestimate the power of hashtags because they can make you go from nobody to an Insta celeb overnight.
If you feel like your hashtags are not working, hop on to this helpful article which will help you get over the ban and make the hashtags work again.
Our sincere thanks to Devanshi for helping us write this article. Did you Like the article? Reach out to us for any comments 🙌
