4 Things to Consider About Your Headshot

An advertising rep once told me that I needed to add my photo to my business cards because it would give me extra credibility. "When someone sees your picture they know you're a real person," she said in that voice that sounded like a grade school teacher. "People want to deal with other real people."

In fact, I did have some professional headshots taken and used them for brochures and internet marketing. But I never added my picture to my business cards. Why not? In my book I mention that business cards are not efficient and are good for two things: Drawings for free lunches and leaving with a good tip in a restaurant. Other than that, business cards are an expensive piece of the marketing puzzle that just don't work for most people.

A good headshot can help you though. I've been fortunate to have had the photos taken twice at no cost to me. Once was at an industry conference and again, years later from a photographer friend. The latter was needed as I had shaved off my mustache (resulting in me looking a few years younger) and I didn't want to have the "where's your mustache?" conversation.

Here are a few items to consider for using your headshot:

You will need to post it on your website. Typically the "About Us" section of a business page will have a nice picture and some biographical information. When people read about you they can put a face to the name.
Your face should be in social media. A Facebook business page or your profile on LinkedIn definitely require recent pictures. I really don't understand people who have taken the time to set up a LinkedIn page only to have a picture of them drunk and hanging on to a chair. Professional? Hardly.
It looks professional. Again, this is the first impression many will have of you, so wear something that represents the values you want to project. This also lets people know that you are willing to invest a little money into yourself and your business.
The picture will give a good glimpse of your personality. Are you smiling or serious? Do you want to look approachable or aloof? What kind of picture would make YOU want to do business with someone?

All in all, a good headshot lets people know that you are not a hack or "fly by night". Find someone who can do it affordably and knows what they're doing. Maybe you can find a photographer with a nice headshot of their own.

Stay healthy and keep your pipeline full!

Chris Castanes is a professional speaker who helps sales people succeed through workshops and humorous presentations. For booking information, click here. He's also the president of Surf Financial Brokers selling life and disability insurance in several states.

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