By Samuel Ukah

A few years ago, when most of us joined various social media channels, the issue of how we looked never really mattered. We just wanted to hit up and connect with people from around the world.

Ohoo! I can’t forget what yahoo messenger did to me around years 2008/2009. Did you use yahoo messenger then?

With time, things have evolved. People who hated the social media have all joined. I recall the day my dad sent me a friend request on Facebook, I was shocked because he always spoke against it.

So, if things have evolved this way, why are some of us still living in the dark ages. Did it occur to you that your profile picture is your first impression to people?

Has it occurred to you that your profile picture is just like your house? I mean like for real. It tells people the kind of mentality you have and the type of house you live in.

So, does your profile picture show you as an important person who should be loved, respected and associated with or as a beggar who needs help and hope?

So how should your profile picture look? What 7 rules makes for a great profile picture?

1. It Has a Professional Look

This particular point has two parts to it.

First, you should look important by looking professional. It’s much better to use a picture with a suit on. It doesn’t really matter what you do, perception is key and in this 2018, you have to look like someone on a mission of helping the world. The truth about it all is that the mind can easily be deceived. Once it perceives you as something, it gets that registered. There are arguments about profile picture showing what you do, for example a lawyer on wigs. It may sound cool but it is not acceptable.

Secondly, it should be taken by a professional and not you. Your profile picture should never be a selfie. It’s a big no no. If you don’t have a phone with a powerful camera, visit a photographer to get a professional shot with a professional camera.

2. It Should be a Headshot or Waist Up.

An awesome profile picture is never a full picture showing your legs neither should it be like a passport. From your waist up is good or just headshot but not with that serious passport look. An example is the picture below.

3. The Head is Tilted.

There’s something lovely about a peaceful head tilt. Don’t stand erect like a soldier. Give yourself some angle tilt. Try to kill it by maybe slightly moving your body away from the camera but bringing your head in obedience to admire the camera lens.

Another thing, never stand erect in a profile picture. Psychologically, it shows you as too serious and mean. You don’t want that embargo.

You know what I mean?

Okay, I believe you do.

So let’s move on.

4. It is like a CloseUp Advert

I know CloseUp is not paying you but can you bring yourself to look at those beautiful faces with the angelic teeth blazing like the sun? Now that’s what I mean. It’s lovely and inviting.

Make yourself attractive by borrowing a few smiles from your extrovert friend in case you don’t have some in your bank. But please don’t frown as if your name is Bonethugz. Haha.

5. It’s Not with an Eye Glass

Pal, it’s not cool or “brilliant” taking profile pictures with glasses or goggles. Even if you have an eye challenge, try to keep the glass aside when you want to take a profile picture.

And to you who wants to take a profile picture with Sun Shades on, no problem, continue. You want to tell us you are a blind.

But please jokes apart, show us your eyeballs. We love it like that because those colored balls are beautiful.

6. It’s not a Mirror Selfie

Dear slay queen, please don’t take profile pictures in front of a mirror. It’s not cool at all. It shows you as not serious and without direction in life. I know you have purpose and direction so please prove those gossip princes and princesses wrong.

Bro to you too. It’s not just the ladies. Leave mirrors alone.

Thanks. Let’s change the gear.

7. It’s Not on a White Background

Yeah white background used to look cool but honestly it doesn’t anymore. It doesn’t look attractive to the eye. Add some color to the background. Use something else aside white.

But you know what? A natural environment is awesome.

A profile picture with some beautiful trees, green grasses or flowers is definitely awesome. And honestly, that’s the kind of profile picture I’m planning to shoot soon. Haha.

I have a lot of industry CEOs and founders as connections on LinkedIn and I must tell you that many of them have green lushes showing behind them and I totally love and admire it.

So, my next profile picture will be with nature in the background. I just got a cool photographer recently and one of these days, I’ll give him a call.

Finally, these are the rules for a killer profile picture. Use them to your own advantage, abandon to your own business. Yes, it’s your business not mine but I can’t help it not informing you because we are family.

And let me shock you.

When your name is searched on Google, do you know which pictures are shown?

Yeah, your profile pictures and the ones you’ve used on articles on other platforms. So, you want to look important, show us you are important through your profile picture.

By Samuel Ukah

(If you always have to send money home or to friends then read this because I’ll show you better ways of paying the black tax without becoming broke at the end of the month.)

Being born the first son and having four younger ones made me understand the reason behind the logic “black tax”.

As a first child, it’s almost difficult to say no to any request from any of your family members. You see everyone as yourself and hence feel naturally obliged to take care of them.

This is even made worse by a belief in Africa that the child has to take care of his parents. Please don’t get me wrong. I know this is Biblical but I’ll show you something shortly on how we’ve abused it.

If your parents send you to school, you’re automatically their retirement investment. I remember a Nollywood movie I saw not quite long ago where a man depended totally in his son to finish school, get a big job and then come take care of him.

Well, this guy finished with a first-class degree and after a couple of years when no job was forthcoming, all hell was let loose in that family. The guy became a disappointment and frustrated at life.

What led us to this situation?

Well, It’s been there for hundreds of years but it was different then. People didn’t have to look for jobs, they just needed to be strong to farm. That way, parents were never disappointed in their children.

Black tax became clearer to me after I finished from the university and couldn’t boast of up-to N500,000 as an investment. This was demoralizing because, with about 4 scholarships, I had enough money as a student.

A certain year, I was paid close to N1 million by different companies. I couldn’t account for how I was spending my money. I didn’t know how to save. Everyone’s problem was my problem so I gave until I didn’t know when to stop.

Haven’t you experienced something similar?

This is what is called “black tax”. Having to carter for your family members and sometimes, friends. An unchecked life of paying the black tax will leave you retiring and having to depend on others for your upkeep.

So, what’s my advice to you as a first child with a lot of responsibilities on your shoulder? How can you pay this tax and still have a great investment to fall back to in life?

1. Don’t Disclose Your Monthly Earnings to Your Extended Family

It’s okay for your family members to know that you are working or doing something meaningful. But the day they know your total income in a month, their needs will multiply and your phone will ring more often.

Only people who can help you manage your finances such as your spouse should know your total income. Others should be allowed to stay guessing what it is. Don’t multiply your problems by yourself.

2. Budget Your Earnings

I learned this the hard way. Don’t wait until you receive your income to budget what it will be used for. Have a comprehensive list of what each sum of money will be used for. Plan for your investments and projects. Give them proper attention.

3. Open an automatic savings account

This does not have anything with your bank’s savings account. It’s almost useless in planning for your life. Special services like cowrywise.com and piggybank.com and alertpay.com are awesome ways of doing this.

On a platform like Cowrywise, you connect your bank account to it and automate how much should be moved from your bank account to each savings plan. (You can create as many plans as you like). Their interest is also better than what your bank will offer you. And you can save as little as N1000 per month.Once a plan is created on cowrywise.com, you can’t touch the money until the savings window expires. You can save for future investments or projects such as buying properties, investing in FG bonds, etc.

If you know any other great plan, please feel free to share in the comments section.

4. Push Money into Your investment portfolio first

Immediately you receive your earnings for the month, pay yourself by sending money into your savings portfolio. Do this before you remove money for anything else. If you believe in tithing like me, please remove your tithe first.

5. Decide How Much ‘Black Tax” You’ll Pay in a month

Decide clearly what percentage of your earnings should go into assisting your family and friends. Set a limit. If you decide it’s N10 naira, aim not to go above it.

Not every need must be met. The compulsory ones are those that bother around survival. Anything outside survival needs does not require immediate attention.

If someone needs money for clothes and there’s a bigger need like feeding or school fees, focus on the feeding and school fees. Shift the request for clothing to another month when they’ll be some space to accommodate it.

Well, I’m not working for any investment platform neither am I advertising for Cowrywise. I only want to share with you lessons that have helped me make better choices which I’m certain will help you.

Don’t become a black tax and remember that not every black tax must be paid. This post was motivated by an email I received from cowrywise. Wishing you a great week.

Stay winning and favoured.