HEADSHOTS FOR BUSINESS – WHY THEY ARE IMPORTANT
The Importance of Good Headshots for Your Business
They say don’t judge a book by its cover – and noble as that may sound – that’s what the cover is there for! First impresssions count and having a great headshot is key to presenting a strong professional image to the world.
1. Do I Really Need a Professional Headshot?
Ask yourself – when scrolling through LinkedIn to make connections – have you ever swiped past someone purely on the strength of their photo? Whether people are aware of it or not, the visual representation people see of you, sends them instantaneous subliminal messages of what you’re about and how successful they perceive you to be. You may only get one chance to make a great impression so make sure you’re sending the right messages!
2. I Can Do it Myself – Think Again!
You may be thinking, ‘Why get a photographer to do it when I can either take a selfie with my phone or get a friend to take a snap of me with a digital camera?’ The answer to this question is simple, a professional photographer knows their craft. They understand lighting and composition, how to pose people and what lens to use to get the right look. Would you trust a friend to give you a great haircut simply because they owned a pair of scissors? Or would you book in with a professional hairdresser because you know they’ll do a good job? There are certain things that you just shouldn’t cut corners on and getting a professional headshot is one of them. Whilst you may think ‘great, I saved money by doing it myself’ the cost to your business or online image could be far greater.
3. What if I HATE having my photograph taken and am nervous about the idea of attending a professional headshot session?
Well, here’s the good news if you’re working with a professional photographer. Not only will they have the technical skills and lighting equipment to produce the most flattering portrait of you, they’ll also be experienced in helping bring the best out in you by making you feel relaxed and giving you direction. You’ll have a range of images to choose from, so you can ensure you have a headshot you’re really happy with.
4. Let Your Online Profile Picture Reflect Your Personal Brand
If you’re a working professional, an entrepreneur or business owner, you need to make sure your online profile reflects who you are in person. Your appearance, both online and offline matters. How you present yourself can affect how likely people are to do business with you. Whether we like it or not, we are all judged by how we look, particularly in professional situations such as meetings, interviews and networking as well as online. So creating a good impression both in person and online is of great importance. Statistics show that having a photo on your profile will make you 36 times more likely to get a message on LinkedIn. You will also get 14 times more views if you have a professional headshot for your profile image. So, as you can see, investing in yourself in this way really does make the difference.
5. Your Social Media Profile Matters
Whether you’re applying for a job or looking to attract clients to your business – your social media profile matters! A 2017 CareerBuilder Survey, revealed that 70 percent of employers checked social media to screen candidates during the hiring process, and about 43 percent of employers use social media to check on current employees. Making sure you have a bank of professional online images therefore will give you a much better chance of getting the job or working with the client you want. Your personal brand needs to be consistent throughout all your social media – not just your LinkedIn profile.
6. A Professional Image Shows You’re Invested in You and Your Business
Having a professional photo (at the very least) shows you are invested in yourself and your personal brand. You will attract more clients to your business or be more likely to be hired for that contract or job if you have a polished online persona. It says ‘I’m successful and I take my business and therefore your business seriously’. That’s exactly what your clients and employers want to see and hear. It creates more trust and trusting who we work with is a key component to doing business. You may also be surprised how many people still haven’t caught up and are using poor quality images for their profile pictures on social media. Make yourself stand out amongst your competitors and get ahead of the game!
7. How Often Should I Update My Headshots?
It is recommended you have your headshot updated every 2 years. However, if you change your appearance before then you should get it done sooner. For example, you may have lost or gained weight, got new glasses or had a different haircut. Tempting as it is to want to keep hold of that great photo of you from 5 years ago, your profile picture should accurately reflect what you look like now – not then. If it doesn’t, people may feel misled by the change in your appearance. It’s also a good opportunity to get a fresh set of images for your social media profile.
Special Offer for March 2020!
Are you in need of new headshots? Would you like professional looking photographs that will take your image to the next level?
For the month of March, I am offering a special rate on my headshot sessions. Instead of the usual £150 you can book with me for just £95 which includes 3 digital copies of your favourite images. If you require headshots for multiple staff members I can come to you at a further reduced per person rate. Please get in touch with your requirements and I can provide you with a quote.