_________________________________________________
Hi Friends,
Maybe I’ve mentioned this 3 million times already, but I am a lawyer. Not a designer. I am not a trained marketing, branding, UX, design etc. expert, but I have worked on my own brand for 3 years plus. And, in this time, I have learned (at least) the basics you need to stand out on social media (Substack included).
So! Take it from me! You do not need to be a pro designer, a Canva Expert, a tech savvy person to have a good looking profile photo. You just need a free (or better yet a pro) Canva account and a picture you like of yourself.
Why? Because my guides help you bridge the gap!
In the video’s first minutes, I even show you what you can do without much design at all.
P.S. If you found this article/guide useful, please restack it for good Karma! <3 I really appreciate it!
If you follow my video guide, you can get results like the below. All pics were made in the guide!
If watching the video is not for you… here are some basic tips.
10 Quick TIPS so your Profile Photo pops!
Use a square image design in Canva to get started 600x600 minimum resolution.
Use an image of you if you can. It is better than a logo, a puppy picture, or a cartoon/AI generated avatar of you. (Note! A cartoon version of you can work too or an avatar if you are concerned about privacy, have no photo that you like of yourself, you are shy… etc. It just makes it more difficult to connect with people- not impossible).
My tips and guide work for ALL PROFILE PICTURES: on Substack, LinkedIn, Google, Facebook… most platforms require a square photo.
The best profile picture cuts off around the shoulders/ you can see a bit of your torso. A picture that gets too close (from the neck up) or too far (full body) is not ideal! Also - no group photos!
Choose a photo where you face straight forward or you are slightly leaning/looking to your left. Like in the below example. Pointing with your body posture towards your writing towards your chat is preferable. You will be perceived as engaged and open to communication.
You can use your profile picture as LOGO for your publication (many do) to make your Substack super personal. People look for your face to find your publication. Helps with connection.
Remove the photo background (especially if it’s super-busy) and instead use a color from your brand colors as your background or a color that complements your skin. See my guide to see how you achieve this with Canva.
You can find a nice way to incorporate your logo into your profile picture (like some of the above profile pics- details in the video guide).
If you only watch my super simple guide and create a 1000x1000 pt. Canva design to follow my instructions you’ll make an awesome profile picture.
You can use my Canva Kit including the profile picture template to update the entire look of your publication in a fraction of the time! But it’s not necessary for the profile pic alone!
You can thank me by reposting or asking a question in the comments.
Want to update the entire visual identity of your Substack → FAST?
Then you can get my Full Canava for Substack Kit which includes 10 awesome templates to update the entire visual identity of your Substack publication!
NOTE!!!
If you have purchased this in the past you should have the updated templates with the video guides already. Do not buy it again!
The Full Canva for Substack Kit is getting updated these days to including the video guides for each template in the package. this is just episode 1 out of 8.
You will literally get all you need to succeed directly in Canva.
DM me if you have purchased the kit and have questions.
Is this Kit for you?
Yes. Get the Kit if you…
Know how to use a computer
have a basic understanding of operating your Substack publication
Want to create your own beautiful and cohesive visual design for your Substack.
Have a free Canva account (or preferably premium - even temporarily) coupled with basic Canva skills.
You re not a pro designer at all, but you want to look pro anyway and want to give it a go!
Don’t get the kit if you are really bad with a computer, like you barely know how to send emails, how to reach the settings of your Substack, and have 10% or less willingness and curiosity to learn.
Reviews:
To See Episode 2 - Use Canva to Update your Substack Publication you know what to do!
All my Canva Super-Simple Template Kits (video+templates+instructions) are linked below.
Thanks for reading/ viewing!
