Make better first impressions through photos
You know first impressions are everything...
...make a better one through your image content.
Research conducted by smarter people than me has shown that when someone lands on a photo, they form an impression of you within 7 seconds.
In this A.D.D. day and age, it’s probably more like .5 seconds, but what do I know, right? :)
Regardless, the first impression is formed very quickly, and once it’s imprinted, it’s hard to change their minds.
You need to put your best foot forward when positioning yourself throughout your online presence.
And you do that through carefully crafting your bios, tag lines and online content.
Another huge component to creating a favorable first impression is through your image content.
As humans, we’re wired to make meaning from images and symbols, so your photos do a lot of heavy lifting during the initial, digital introduction.
So, what are the best photos to leverage in order to create a positive first impression?
Truth be told, it’s impossible to predict which photo a potential client lands on first - could be a profile pic, social post, blog thumbnail or any number of possibilities - which means it could be a headshot, lifestyle or other type of portrait.
As a result, the question to ask isn’t related to the style of photo that makes a good first impression - it’s more about the sentiments shared throughout every photo you leverage in your marketing strategy.
And that sentiment is honesty.
Don’t put on a show in front of the camera - lean into what makes you uniquely you.
Offer photos that share confident, approachable, and likeable aspects of your personality in an honest way.
Share image content that gives an honest look into what your day-to-day life looks like.
Create photos that honestly present what working with you looks like, whether virtually or in-person.
Give them an honest assessment through your photos of who you are, who you serve, what problems you solve, how you solve them, and why you do what you do.
Wear outfits in your photos that you normally wear in front of your clients - no need to rent or buy an entirely new wardrobe.
Choose locations in which to shoot that resonate with your personality, style and sensibilities, as well as represent the spaces and places from which you normally work.
Of course, creating photos in those actual spaces are ideal, but sometimes not a possibility, so identifying alternative solutions based on your personality, style and sensibilities is a solid Plan B.
And, use the tools that you leverage on a day-to-day basis - laptop, notebooks and other stationary, pens, pencils, paint, whatever - in your photos to visually illustrate how the sausage is actually made.
Side note - if you’re working with the same materials you use daily, the moment will feel more familiar, inspiring you to feel more relaxed and in the moment despite a camera being pointed in your direction.
When you leverage photos that provide an honest assessment of your business, brand and self, you’re showing all your cards from the very beginning.
And that offers potential clients an opportunity to qualify whether or not they’d like to learn more about you by entering deeper into your world.
Some will determine, for one reason or another, that you’re not a fit for them. Others will jump for joy at being lucky enough to have discovered that you exist.
Either way, that’s exactly what you want - filter out the bad fits, and draw in those who will be transformed by working with you.
The key is to avoid bullshitting your audience and lead with honesty.
It’s a pretty magical approach to creating a solid first impression.
If you’re in the market to create an image content portfolio full of photos that present a more honest first impression to those you serve, learn more about what working with me looks like and see if we’re a fit to work together.