Personal Branding Photography

This article was originally posted on The Huffington Post

Having amazing images that align with my brand mission has helped me increase my profitability and uplevel my business.  -  Lee Heyward, Image Strategist[/caption] Investing in high-quality, authentic photography is required if you want your visuals to play a crucial role in delivering the personality of your brand. Much like eating, we shop with our EYES! We make many purchase decisions based on first impressions. And buying is often an emotional decision more than a practical one. Therefore your branding is about influencing the way consumers think about you and your business or product. As a result personal branding photography can have a huge impact on your business and your bottom line!

One of the biggest mistakes I see are people who under-utilized their photography assets and their investment. Custom photography is an ASSET, therefore, having a library of image files to pull from can save you time and money over the long-term. That's why it's so important to begin thinking about photographs as ASSETS!

How you can maximize your investment in personal branding photography and leverage your assets for massive value?

Use them throughout all your marketing strategies:

1. Place them throughout your website. When you personalize your business with photographs you create trust. It also visually tells the story of your business, your brand, and your unique value proposition. At the very LEAST, you want to have your headshot on your website. People want to know you are a real person and are more likely to contact you vs. a business website without a headshot. People do business with PEOPLE, not businesses. (I know, I say it all the time. But that's because it's true!)

2. Use them in posts on your social media platforms: LinkedIn, Facebook business page, Instagram posts, Twitter, etc. Posts that include an image receive 120% - 180% more visibility and engagement.

3. Place them in your newsletters and e-blasts. Showing your clients is more effective than simply telling them.

4. Use them in press releases about an event or new offering you have. A press release is an easy way to get potential media coverage when you have an announcement or an event. It's free marketing! Why not try it. I'm inviting you to drum up some press with your awesome new branding photography.

5. Refresh your profile pictures every few months so that people see a new image of you. Because this puts you back in the front of their mental database. Just remember to use the same image across all platforms so people can quickly recognize you.)

6. Place them in your sales and landing pages for better conversion rates.

7. Submit an image along with your bio when you have a speaking engagement. Don't just tell them who you are. Show them. And Speaking engagements are a great way to get in front of new faces and meet new potential clients.

8. Put one in your email signature. Personalize your email and help people remember who you are. You are more likely to remember a face even if you can't remember their name.

9. Use them to create a rack card, brochure, mailer or other print marketing pieces. You can even put a photo on your business card because it helps people remember you.

"We created a library of images to pull from for speaking engagements, articles, sales pages,

and social media [...] They continue to help me establish myself as an expert, and

provide a fun way for potential customers to learn more about me."

How one of my clients has used personal branding photography to grow her business

Over the past few years, I've been working with Tanya to create custom branded photography. Having amazing images that align with my brand mission has helped me increase my profitability and uplevel my business.

I use them throughout my marketing, website, and social media. It's important for my brand to have high-quality photographs to remain in alignment with what I do. They continue to help me establish myself as an expert, and provide a fun way for potential customers to learn more about me.

We created a library of images to pull from for speaking engagements, articles, sales pages, and social media. Recently I was featured in Mt. Pleasant Lifestyle Magazine, and I was able to send them images I love that were perfect for both the article and my brand. "

-- Lee Heyward, Image Strategist, www.prosperousimage.com