Embrace the Spotlight: The Power of Showing Your Face on Instagram

Showing your face on Instagram is the window to your world, inviting others to step inside and connect with the real you.

One of the most common reservations we hear from our clients is with regards to showing up on Instagram.  ⁠We get it, most people don't like having their photo taken, much less posting them on the Internet for the entire world to see.  ⁠We don't love having our photo taken either, and being comfortable talking to camera has taken a lot of practice too.  BUT showing your face on Instagram can do a lot for you and your business. ⁠You have to remember that social media is a crowded space and including photos and videos of YOU on your Instagram account will help you and your brand stand out.  In this blog post, we'll explore the reasons why you should show your face on Instagram and provide some easy steps to help you start doing it confidently.

Photo by Mario Testino via Pinterest

Authenticity & Connection 

How many times have you felt connected to an Instagram account just because you really feel like you know them?  Even though you have never met them in real life.  That is because you have probably seen their face repeatedly on their account.  In a sea of perfectly composed shots, showing your face adds a human touch to your profile. You’ve probably seen the statistic that’s been doing the rounds for years that Instagram posts with faces in them get 38% more likes on those without.  That is because people are more likely to engage and relate to real faces rather than faceless content. And to be honest I am always a bit suspicious of brands that don’t show their faces - what are they hiding?  By revealing your true self, you create an opportunity for others to connect with you on a deeper level, fostering genuine interactions and building a loyal community.

Personal Branding 

In today's competitive social media landscape, personal branding plays a vital role in establishing your Instagram presence. You will stand out from other Instagram accounts in your niche when people see your face over and over again.  We try to show up at least every 9 photos on the grid so that when people see our photo they think ‘Oh that’s Danielle and Lara from Young & Cooper’.  Showing your face on Instagram helps you create a recognizable identity and develop a personal brand. People are more likely to remember and follow individuals who confidently showcase themselves. It demonstrates that you and your brand are confident and comfortable with who you are.

Photo of Bridgette Bardot via Pinterest

Trust & Relatability 

Showing your face on Instagram builds trust and relatability with your audience. When people can see the person behind the content, they feel a sense of transparency and authenticity. It humanises your profile and makes you more approachable, fostering a sense of trust and reliability. As a result, your audience is more likely to engage with your content, value your recommendations, and view you as a trusted source of information or inspiration.

Storytelling & Engagement 

Your face is a powerful tool for storytelling. Each photo you share becomes a chapter in your personal narrative. By showing your face, you can convey emotions, experiences, and stories that resonate with your audience. When people see you expressing joy, vulnerability, or excitement, they feel a deeper connection and are more inclined to engage with your posts. 

Photo of Audrey Hepburn via Pinterest

Have I convinced you as to why you need to show up on Instagram? Ok, now let's look at some ideas on how to show up, even for those introverts at the back.  Yes, we can see you!

Baby Steps

If you are a product based business, perhaps you could start by showing your hands in your product shots.  Try holding your products in different ways and capturing this.  Remember that hands will immediately make your feed feel more human.

Build a bank of images 

Putting a photo of yourself on the grid might feel like a big step but this will feel much easier if you have a bank of photos of yourself that you are happy with.  Next time you’re all glammed up (i.e. next time you aren’t in your sweats and have blow dried your hair) use the timer on your phone to take a few photos or better still get the phone savvy teenager of the house to take some photos (Warning: they will describe this experience as ‘cringe’ but the end result will be worth it).  If your husband is anything like mine don’t ask him to take your photo or you’ll get one one photo and that’s it.  

Another idea is to invest in yourself and your business and have a brand photo shoot.  We last had a brand photo shoot done over a year ago but are still using the images so It really does give you a bank of photos that you are happy with that you can use continuously on Instagram.

Stories

Instagram Stories are only there for 24 hours so this is also a great way to dip your toe into showing up on Instagram.   If you really don’t like the photo or video, remember that it’s only there for 24 hours and you don’t need to save it to a highlight button.  Try talking to camera on your Stories.  Put together some ideas or a few points that you want to talk about and film yourself talking to camera.  Aim for less than 60 seconds.  And then load it to Stories and you’ll be surprised at the reaction you get.  Take it one step further and upload the same video as a Reel!

Talking about reels…

I get it, you don’t wanna sing or dance on reels.  We don’t either.  In fact, I am not sure we have ever sung or danced on reels (the teenage children would be mortified….. almost makes me want to do it, to be honest).  But there are  plenty of ways to get around that if you’re feeling nervous. Why don’t you film your product or something related to your business and then use the Voice Over function to talk over the footage.  That way you’re getting people accustomed to your voice and still bringing yourself to Instagram.

Lights, camera, action …. time to go LIVE

For those who are a little bit more daring, why don’t you try doing an Instagram LIVE.  This is a really great way to connect with your audience, bring your personality to the front and also demonstrate your expertise.  If you don’t feel like doing it alone, you can invite up to 3 guests to an Instagram LIVE which might make it easier for you. Remember that there is a practice option on LIVES so try that a few times so it doesn’t feel too daunting the first time you go LIVE.

Photo of Lauren Hutton on the Warner Bros set of Via Knievel! via Pinterest

So hopefully we have now inspired you to put on your big girl pants and embrace the spotlight and give it a go.  Yes, you can show up on Instagram!  And we can’t wait to see your lovely faces so please do tag us in on your photos and videos.  And if it still feels too difficult and you need some support and coaching, we still have some spots available in June for our Ask Me Anything sessions so get in touch.