So you finished your personal branding photoshoot and you’re feeling as good as you look in these photos! Now what? Keep reading for some tips on how to maximize your visibility with your new pics.
1. Update your LinkedIn profile picture
Put your best face forward! Profile pictures are one of the first impressions others will get from you. A professional headshot that highlights your brand can help you stand out right away. While you’ll generally have a variety of photos to choose from after a branding shoot, selecting the right photo for the right platform is important.
For networking sites such as LinkedIn, I recommend choosing a photo where your face is the main focus and distractions are minimal. While *I* would like to see every picture you have on your camera roll of your dog, Bruiser’s cuteness may prevent a prospective client or employer from seeing YOU! If your business is local, your brand photographer may suggest including an identifying landmark (I love shooting _____ in Tampa!), but including that in a profile picture can be distracting. A strong LinkedIn profile picture is a unique but intentional headshot – your network will quickly take note.
2. Refresh your business cards
I don’t know about you, but every now and then I have to purge the collection of business cards I’ve accumulated from my wallet. With the passage of time, I tend to forget details of interactions with people. A business card with a portrait, however, is an entirely different story. A professional headshot on your business card can be the difference between that card ending up in someone’s recycling bin or on their call log. Why? First, a photo can trigger someone’s memory to recall your pitch or interaction. The more a contact is thinking about you, the better position you’ll be in. Second, a photo humanizes the person behind the name they’re reading, making them a lot more likely to give your business some consideration.
3. Consider adding your headshot to your resume
This one can be controversial. Many recruiters are sensitive to headshots on resumes due to anti-discrimination practices in hiring. What’s more – today’s competitive job market means recruiters generally spend only seven seconds on a resume and adding a picture could distract a recruiter from focusing on your qualifications.
However, in the right circumstances, your picture on a resume can be very effective. Here is when a pic might be appropriate:
- You are not directly applying for a job. This generally applies to freelance work across nearly all industries. Socializing your resume can be a very effective marketing strategy, and a friendly smile can humanize your credentials and experience while helping prospective clients get the full picture of you and your services. If your resume is posted on your website, a photo can help extend your branding.
- You are in a creative industry. You should always include a headshot if requested or if your features are important to the role you’re applying for (such as modelling or acting). It is common to include headshots if you are a public speaker, musician, writer, teacher (such as a workshop or masterclass) or designer. Always use your best judgment on whether a photo will help your resume stand out!
- You live in a country where including headshots is common. Including resume headshots is not common in most English-speaking countries.
4. Have something big to say? Use a photo.
It’s no secret that many social media algorithms favor posts with pictures. When making a post on professional platforms (think LinkedIn or business pages), a branded, attention-grabbing picture can highlight a message that may otherwise be lost to the scroll. These typically work best for big announcements like a launch or an informational post relevant to your industry. Posts give you an opportunity to use more relaxed photos that highlight what you’re about – have fun with it!
5. Cross post to personal social media
Many business owners prefer to keep their personal social media separate from their business accounts. My take? A splash of your business on your personal social media leads to clicks from supportive friends in your network. It is important to maintain a balance – your friends don’t want to see every promotional post, but they do want to celebrate your professional accomplishments! Don’t hesitate to cross-post your business announcements or informational posts (with a branded photo!) to your personal social media accounts.
What fun ways have you used your new headshots? How did it go? Let me know on Instagram: @kristinamanness.