Embedded Files
When you first joined Compose.ly, we asked you to add a small avatar to your profile. Now that you’re active on the platform and we’re matching you with clients, it’s time to provide a professional-looking profile photo.
We don’t think a picture is worth a thousand words (we’d be out of business if we did!), but many of the most successful freelancers have built a solid brand that increases their credibility and helps them attract more clients in their niche. You are the heart of your brand — and that’s something to smile about!
Clients may request your profile photo. Some choose to run the content you create with your byline, and many reproduce your photo on their website. This is a great opportunity to grow your online presence, and a professional, smiling photo can help you build rapport and trust with your readers (and potential future clients).
Tips for Providing a Great Profile Photo
Do:
Do submit a photo of you, yourself, and you (and no one else!).
Do choose a high-quality, high-resolution photo.
Do make sure your face is clearly visible — in the best profile photos, faces take up about half the square footage of the image.
Do send a photo that shows you from the shoulders up.
Do use full color.
Do ensure you take your photo in front of a clean background, and make sure the lighting is good and soft.
Do look at the camera.
Do smile — it doesn’t have to be a toothy grin. Soft, closed-lipped smiles work, too.
Do wear clothes! You don’t have to get fancy, but dress for success.
Do send a rectangular photo with straight edges.
Don’t:
Don’t use a stock photo.
Don’t provide an AI-generated headshot.
Don’t use black and white.
Don’t overaccessorize — steer clear of hats and sunglasses.
Don’t heavily edit your photo.
Don’t crop your photo into a special shape (like a circle).
Don’t send an action shot.
Don’t zoom in too close or zoom out too far.
Don’t include hands (or cups or snacks or pups) near your face.
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