Whether you’re new in business or if you’ve been around awhile, you’ve probably wondered if you need a professional headshot taken or not.
Are they really necessary?
Is it really worth the money to invest in a photo of myself?
Can I have a successful business without a professional headshot?
Only you can answer these questions, as it truly depends on your business and marketing methods, but having a professional headshot done of yourself will certainly add a new level of professionalism to your business or brand – no matter what your business goals are.
As a solo entrepreneur and a photographer, I want to help you unfold 3 key reasons why you absolutely need a professional headshot & how it will level up your business dramatically.
Let’s uncover these simple, yet important, reasons to have a professional headshot taken for your business!
Looks professional
You’re serious about your business and brand, right? Then why wouldn’t you have a photo that shows that?!
By having a professional headshot created, you will immediately add a level of professionalism to yourself, your business, and your brand.
This might be me being a photographer, but I find it a little insulting when someone who’s obviously dedicated about their business, works very hard, and strives for success, but uses a simple phone shot as their mug across the web.
To me, this screams unprofessional and CHEAP.
Do you think someone would be more willing to invest in you and your business if you had a crappy phone shot selfie or a professional headshot?
^ That’s a rhetorical question by the way.
If you want to be fully invested in your business, then make sure you put out all the stops and invest in your image.
Clients take you more seriously
Well before my business days, I joined a MLM company to sell jewelry.
I wanted to make a few extra bucks a month and hosting a party or two surely fit the bill. It was easy money and I loved the product, so it was a no-brainer to join a team.
Not having any kind of sales or business skills, my upline directly took me under her wing to provide me with the best resources possible to help me succeed.
Looking back, I am truly impressed by her dedication and devotion to the business.
The single biggest thing that sticks out in my mind though was that she had professional photos taken of her, her family, and her office to display on her website.
As someone new to the business, it gave me an immediate sense of the authority she had, the success she had built, and the dedication she had towards her business.
She looked like the real deal (and she was).
By choosing to invest in high-quality photos, she gave me the instant impression that she was to be taken seriously – and this was all before my photography days when I didn’t think twice about professional photos.
If she had displayed a cell phone or diy photo of herself to display online and in her marketing materials, I probably wouldn’t have been as impressed or taken her as seriously.
Don’t underestimate the power of a great headshot; it’s more important than you think!
Provides brand recognition
In the endless sea of businesses and brands, making a mark in the business world can be tricky business.
Having consistency in your brand, image, and communication will take you far, and this includes yous personal image.
If you are the star of your brand, this is even more important (but important all the same for larger teams)!
Having a professional headshot created, and then shared on all online and print aspects of your business, your face will come to be more recognized than ever.
Why is brand recognition important?
When your brand or business is often seen by an individual or persons, it becomes a more likeable brand.
As humans, we tend to like things based on how familiar we are with them.
Honest question: have you ever voted for someone (no matter what political or social heirarchy) simply because you recognized their name out of all the others?
If you answered honestly, I’d be more than willing to bet that you have, which is proof right there that we tend to choose things we are more familiar with.
Which is why advertising and marketing is so important to your business to!
Related: 7 ways to market your business if you’re a stay at home Mom
Having a face to your business makes you recognizable, relatable, and professional (that is, if you invest in headshots) which will make your business more likely to attract new clients and gain more business.
All from a simple photo!
And while I 100% advocate investing in a quality headshot for yourself and your business, I also understand that this investment isn’t always feasible (especially if you’re still working on turning a profit).
So here’s a few tips on taking your own self portraits to make your selfies look more polished than ever below!
But, if you can afford it, then I encourage you to go out and make it happen – the sooner the better. Your brand image is important and you deserve to have yourself & your business look amazing!
I did not realize how important this was until I needed one!
Briana
https://beyoutifulbrunette.com/
Yes! Glad you’ve taken steps to get them done! 🙂