First Impressions – Your Business, Your Image

By John Bosley, CWCC Member

Like it or not, your customers will probably decide whether they are going to hire you based on their first impressions.  These days first impressions can be made on a website, at a networking event, via email, on the phone, or a brick-and-mortar storefront (not to mention social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc…).

Specific thought has probably been given to every aspect of your business with which a customer can interact.  Your website should be fast-loading and easy to use.  Your storefront should be clean, attractive and safe.  Your business card and stationary should be printed on quality paper with a logo and font that accurately represent your business.  When you attend networking events, you make sure you look professional.

So why is it that so many professionals don’t even try to market themselves with a good headshot?  A well-lit, professional headshot tells your customers that you take your business and yourself seriously.  Since when is a snapshot from a family vacation an acceptable replacement for a professional portrait?  Is that really the first impression you want your customers to have of you and your business?

If your marketing plan for your business involves marketing yourself, your customers won’t just have a relationship with your business, your product and your logo.  They are going to have a business relationship with you.  A current, high-quality headshot can make a huge difference in your customers’ perception of you.  Don’t believe me?  Scroll through your LinkedIn contacts and look at their photos.  See which photos catch your eye and which photos you hardly even notice.  Which photos make you think “professional” and which photos make you think “pass”.

To sell your product or service, you have to be able to sell yourself.  You’ve taken the time to make an impression with your amazing outfit and great business cards.  You’ve managed to get your customer to visit your slick website.  Do yourself a favor and don’t blow it when they click on your “About” page and find a photo of you in your bathing suit, sitting on a beach sipping a margarita.  Show them that you are a professional and that they can feel safe doing business with you.

John Bosley is a portrait and wedding photographer in Denver.  He loves creating warm, fresh and honest images with his clients and believes that having your picture taken should be a positive and empowering experience.  Go to http://www.johnbosleyphotography.com to view his work.