Add credibility to your brand thru photos
How do you earn the trust and attention of those you serve?
Present yourself as a credible expert through your photos.
One of the most important aspects of your online presence is to create a consistent, trustworthy brand that delivers on its promise of transformation.
Improve your communication.
Build stronger relationships.
Discover the leader in you.
Create a more successful business.
Get in better shape.
Become a better...fill in the blank.
When you share these types of stories, it will get your audience’s attention, sure. There’s a lot of people out there, especially in this current climate, searching for answers, searching for better.
But, it’s not enough to talk someone’s ear off in a million-word blog article.
We live in a “don’t just tell me, show me” world.
Especially when you consider all the other experts in your field who are doing the exact same thing you are. They’re vying for the same clients, the same event producers, the same opportunities from the people you serve.
Oh, you work tirelessly to serve your community? Don’t just tell me, show me.
Serve people virtually? Don’t just tell me, show me.
Speak to large groups of people? Don’t just tell me, show me.
Dedicated your life to those you serve? Don’t just tell me, show me.
Walked a mile in my shoes and you practice what you preach? Don’t just tell me, show me.
And the way you show people is through the photos of you doing the work and living your life.
I talk a lot about the concept of visual punctuation - images that encapsulate the sentiment of the stories that you share with your audience through your facial expression and body language.
While that’s a huge piece of the work, it’s not the only job function your photos serve.
They also serve to add credibility to the words in which you’re imparting. You’re providing visual evidence that you do what you say you do.
You’re peeling back the curtain for your audience to show them what the experience of what working with you looks like.
You’re imparting an honest look of who you are and how you live your life, in general.
You’re showing them on many levels how the sausage is made.
As a result, you’re giving them an opportunity to qualify you based not only on the work, but also on your word. And when you’re in the business of building relationships, this is a must-have.
Let’s say, for example, you’re looking to recalibrate your personal branding and update your entire online presence - website, social posts, the whole deal.
You ask for expert recommendations on social and are presented with two potential experts that can solve your particular challenge. The person that recommended both options is a trusted friend, so you know that you can’t go wrong either way.
When you visit their websites, the first one is basically one, gigantic page of text. Interesting insights shared, absolutely. The concepts in this page resonate with you, but the sea of words is slightly overwhelming.
Oh, there’s images to break up the paragraphs, but they’re icon fonts and GIF’s - not a single photo of the expert - not even a headshot, for chrissakes.
Okay, you get the gist of the expert’s framework and process - onto the next option.
At first glance, you’ve entered a different world.
The text on this page is not as beefy, but the words resonate with you as much as the first expert.
The main difference? Photos of the expert - and lots of them.
The moment you hit that homepage, you’re immediately greeted with a banner photo of the expert conducting a Zoom presentation.
Followed by a photo of the expert looking confidently into the camera.
Scroll down and you see several photos of the expert working with clients virtually and in person.
Then, there’s a stack of photos of the expert with some of their more prominent clients.
Aww - and at the bottom is a family photo with the kids...adorable, :)
Who are you going to reach out to call first for a consultation call?
We go through this evaluation process for our own businesses and lives on a daily basis, immediately qualifying in and out people based on the quick-fire, emotional connection we feel towards them during the digital introduction.
We want to work with people who we not only feel get us and our pain, but also present themselves as someone who is well-experienced in eliminating that pain for people like us.
The more proof you offer through compelling and honest image content, the better case you make to be the one that the potential client picks up the phone to call first.
It’s what creates credibility.
It’s how you build trust beyond the actual work itself.
Take a moment to look at your own website and ask yourself, “Is the image content that I’m using on these pages serving to add to my credibility? Or, is there room for improvement?”
Don’t just think about doing something about, do something about it.
And I’m here to help.
If you saw my article on Friday, I mentioned a special offer to my email subscribers regarding a complimentary hour of shooting (valued at $1300) if you book a BE YOUR BRAND (valued at $2500) lifestyle portrait session by today at 4pm EST.
If you want help creating more credibility with your audience through your image content, email me at info@johndemato.com with the subject line “EXTRA HOUR” and we’ll set up a call to schedule your session.
I have one slot left, so whoever wants it, let me know ASPCA before it’s gone!