What do you do with your professional headshots? Your image is a key part of your professional brand. You’ve invested in it by getting a great set of photos done now you need to maximize on that investment. Here’s how to make the most of your pro headshots.
How do you look on your social accounts?
I follow-up with my clients 6 months after we’ve shot together. Before getting in touch, I check online to see how they have used the headshots we did. There are so many more places to put them than people realize. Your online identity is usually how people see you most often. Here’s my list of where you should be using a pro headshot online to benefit your business. How many of these can you check off?
Your phone – What image comes up when you call someone?
This is how you update your user ID in an iPhone.
WhatsApp – Have you updated your profile picture?
All your email accounts – Yes, even that old one you set up that gets all your junk email. Make sure you have the same professional image on all your accounts. It never hurts to remind recipients that you are a CEO. You never know when or where your next word of mouth referral may come from.
Your Gravatar – Some online resources including WordPress, Hootsuite, Mention and Convertkit ask for your Gravatar. Set up an account and put your headshot on there to ensure the right version of your face appears on the online tools you use.
Networking sites – Most people put their professional headshot on public social networking sites but are you using yours on the private membership groups you belong to? What is on your profile right now? If you’re in a Facebook group and you joined up using your personal profile, is that a professional image or one of you on holiday? To keep things professional, I use a shot from my previous headshots session.
All your online tools – Practically every online tool will ask you for a profile picture. Check your Dropbox, Skype, Zoom and Eventbrite accounts, and any other sites you use to do business. You’ll be surprised how many tools you can list.
Where you shop – When procuring for your business, present yourself as a professional CEO. If you are thinking of making inroads on affiliate income, having this part of your online presence branded up can only be a good thing. I’d NEVER turn up to my photography print lab to settle my account in a bikini with sunburn, so why do it online?
How to make use of pro headshots on your website
When you get your professional headshots taken, think about your website layout.
Do you feature a panoramic crop photo on your homepage?
What is your layout plan for your “About Me” or “Bio” page?
Cropping in-camera can save a lot of time and money on retouching crops for your site layout later.
When you are booking your professional headshots also think about the kinds of images you want and where else you could use them eg. on a campaign or launch.
What do you want your images to portray?
Your photos can be used in a wide variety of places so it makes sense to think about the images you want to portray. Get shots which can then be used for:
- Social media – not just your profile picture but cover images, adverts, and promos for lives.
- Your video channel or podcast artwork
- Press releases
- Guest blogs
- Your bio for speaking gigs
- Lead magnets
You won’t want a single image for all of these uses. You could consider splitting your session so you get images of yourself ‘at work’ as well as profile shots. Or you might want to book shorter sessions through the year. Will your outfit or the background look out of place in summer or winter? Have you changed your hair?
You can always dress the part for an occasion even if you’re not there. I create my personal branded Christmas cards in August each year. It’s the best time to get great summer deals at your local print lab.
Photograph how the magic happens
A narrated headshot will give prospects a visual taste of how it feels to work with you.
Do you make your clients cry with joy when you give them your skillfully made bespoke cakes? SHOOT THAT.
Are you known for hosting intense coffee meetings to deliver your consulting work? SHOOT THAT.
In these cases, you will need to find models. A way to give this idea further return on investment would be to get real-life clients involved. Create a competition where clients enter to win the opportunity to be featured in your marketing. This could make a press story too.
Photograph how the magic happens. A narrated headshot will give prospects a visual taste of how it feels to work with you. Are you known for hosting intense coffee meetings to deliver your consulting work? SHOOT THAT. #Youpreneur Click To TweetUse your headshot as a talking point
A painter and decorator wanted more business. We shot him covered in paint, wearing his overalls, holding a tin of paint in one hand and his brush in the other. He put the picture on his personal business cards and they got him some great commercial jobs. He found he got more business by word of mouth. People had been sharing his headshot business card as a talking point.
© of Laura Pearman Photography
You can use your headshots to put a slice of your personal brand on your products. Create a product story notecard with your picture on which accompanies your goods. Or use your face on a sticker on the wrapping paper or the packaging design for your products. Have fun with it.
Would your head on a white backdrop with a brightly colored Lichtenstein overlay pop? Plan branded product packaging with clever use of headshots.
The Lichtenstein Effect
Put your face on your brochures, whether they are printed or online. People want to see the person behind the brand. It builds trust.
Get your copy of my Headshots ROI Checklist
Make sure you fill in any gaps with using your current or new headshot by grabbing a copy of my Headshots ROI Checklist. It’s a printable sheet for you to check off as you work through this task.
Chris founded Youpreneur® in 2015. He is a serial entrepreneur, keynote speaker and author of the bestselling books “Virtual Freedom” and “Rise of the Youpreneur”. He hosts our podcast, live events and coaches our clients inside the Youpreneur Incubator. Chris is based in Cambridge, UK.
