How to Take a Selfie (for ENTREPRENEURS!) | Social Media Agency

In the social media world we are faced with new trends and fads on a daily basis. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few year, you’ve undoubtedly heard of – and been bombarded with – the #selfie… a photo someone has taken of him- or herself – typically on a smartphone.

If you browse Instagram, you see the selfie everywhere. Your best friend, colleague, mom (and lets face it, you, too) have indulged in the occasional selfie. I’m here to suggest that everyone embrace the trend. Let your selfie flag fly high!

Did you know that photos (especially ones of yourself) get more engagement on social media than text only posts? It’s true. I have had first-hand experience with this when it comes to managing Instagram accounts for our clients at Ghost Tweeting. I often see 4 – 5 times as many likes and comments on self-portrait photos!

So, without further ado, I am going to give you the tools, tricks, and tips to take a fabulous selfie.

But first….Let ME take a selfie!

Click to tweet: How to take a selfie: 10 tools, tips, & tricks for taking a fab #selfie

Lighting

Lighting can make or break your selfie. Show off your best features by highlighting them with the light. Natural light works best and is usually the most flattering. Make sure the light is coming from the front of your face, rather than just behind.

NO! Strong sunlight behind your head can cause overexposure and shadows

Natural light is the most flattering

Confidence is key

Give yourself a mini pep talk while selfie-ing. Boost your confidence by putting on some music or your favorite article of clothing. Photos pick up subtle emotions we don’t always notice in the mirror, so be happy when taking your picture. No one wants to see a sad selfie. 🙁

Flattering placement and angles

No one looks their best when photographed from below the face. Place your phone just a bit above your eye line, and angle it slightly downward.

If you are focusing on a specific part of your face (e.g., your eyes), it’s okay to bring the phone in a little closer so the frame is close up on that specific feature.

If your arms are included in the picture, bring them outward from your body so they don’t smash against you. It may feel weird when you’re doing it but it will come across more flattering in the photos.

Selfie in moderation

This is a tough one. Once you get the taste of taking a good selfie, it’s hard to stop! For most business pages, limit your selfies to one out of every 8 – 10 posts (a general rule of thumb). However, if your business is a personal brand – in other words, if what you are selling is YOU – you can share selfies more often. Make sure you brand yourself in all your selfies. The mood and feeling of what you sell should be in every photo.

Selfie Subject

Decide what type of selfie you are taking. Natural, Glam, or something in between. Showing off a new haircut or makeup look? Launching a new product? (Product placement anyone?) Don’t work for your selfie; make it work for you. The whole point is to get engagement on your photo and bring some buzz to yourself or your brand.