If you’re reading this article, then chances are that you’re either in the process of creating your own personal branding strategy or considering one. Personal branding is an essential part of being successful in today’s business environment because it’s what people see before they speak to you and decide whether they want to do business with you.
A professional headshot can help enhance your personal brand by showing others who you are and what kind of work experience and skillset you have, all while conveying professionalism. In this article, we’ll be discussing five reasons every professional should have a headshot!
A photo is worth a thousand words
A photo is worth a thousand words, and there are few better ways to make an amazing first impression than with professional headshots. You might be wondering why you should have headshots done when you can just use your own. Professional headshots are a great way to stand out from the competition, and they’re also the first thing people will see, so they must represent who you are closely.
Professional headshots will help you stand out from the competition
Professional headshots will help you stand out from the competition and show potential employers that you have a level of professionalism they can count on, especially in fields like sales or other customer service positions where first impressions matter most.
The human brain is programmed to remember faces, which makes a headshot so important. A study by Harvard University found that people could identify the person who took their picture from among one hundred others 73% of the time—an astonishing feat considering only two distinguishing features: our body and face!
Headshots are an investment
A high-quality headshot is an investment and one that pays off in the long run. What are you investing in? A mediocre photo of your face posted on LinkedIn or Facebook won’t do much to help promote your business; a professional portrait reflects dedication, focus, and attention to detail—all crucial qualities for success. When people see a top-quality headshot, they know that you’re someone who takes your profession seriously.
Necessary for networking events and job interviews
Professional headshots are a necessity for any professional looking to network or any author looking to promote their newest book. However, unless you’re in the industry, it can be difficult to know what type of pictures will best represent your work and personal brand through social media channels.
Professional headshots are valuable for networking events, such as conferences and meetups. These pictures can be used to introduce your work in an engaging way when you cannot speak at the event. In addition, professional headshots boost credibility by showing that you take yourself seriously enough to invest in branding yourself professionally rather than just with a LinkedIn profile.
Final Thoughts
Think about it. In today’s world, everything revolves around social media and presenting yourself professionally online. We live in a digital society where we’re always looking for something new or exciting on our timelines. Headshots can help boost your personal branding in a multitude of ways.
May Dream Design, LLC provides professional branding and digital marketing services to established businesses and accomplished individuals. We’ve personally experienced how difficult it is to promote someone’s work when they don’t have professional headshots or photos. Stay tuned for a list of items you’ll need for a complete brand identity with our whitepaper, “Professional Branding: Top 5 Must-Haves.”
