Where should you invest your first branding dollars? You might be surprised.
We live in a society where you are judged constantly and mercilessly. Studies show that within one second, people have already made up their mind about you. The rest is just looking for evidence to support their initial gut reaction.
People make a decision about you at a glance, which is why it's so vital to have a great profile photo.
Dating apps, for example, encourage people to make decisions about a potential soul-mate based totally off a photo. It’s superficial, obviously, but that’s also just the way it is.
This isn’t just about dating apps, though. Not having an excellent profile photo could be costing you sales, money and your ability to grow an audience.
There’s some startling data out there surrounding the way we look. In the book, Beauty Pays: Why Attractive People Are More Successful, the evidence shows that attractive people earn more, are hired sooner, promoted more quickly and get extra benefits and perks on the job.
It turns out that more attractive people often bring more money to their companies and therefore are more valuable employees. For example, a good-looking insurance salesperson will sell more insurance than one with below average looks.
But don’t worry! You’re not at all doomed if you’re goofy looking like me! First off, you’re likely WAY more attractive than you think you are. We’re always our own worst critics and we see ourselves at our worst: Frizzy hair, bags under our eyes, too much weight, wrinkles, an extra chin or a ‘bad’ hairline. What YOU see isn’t what other people see, and your flaws aren’t as important to them as they are to you.
We also need to examine what constitutes beauty. Personality and energy – the non-physical stuff – tends to be more important than your complexion or your teeth. A great personality can overcome all that stuff.
But, back to the issue: A profile image is judged in seconds. Obviously, your profile picture isn’t YOU, it’s a reflection of you – and often times a very distorted reflection of you. It’s not at all fair that we get judged this way – but we do.
A bad profile picture means people may not want to connect with you which may result in fewer sales. Do you understand how important this element of your profile is, now? IT IS VITAL.
So, what should you do?
First, HIRE A PHOTOGRAPHER. Stop taking selfies. Hire someone who knows what they’re doing – headshots are an investment that will pay for themselves.
Want more tips for a successful headshot? You’re going to want to watch the video above. I’ll tell you how to pick your background, your outfit and where to put your hands – among other things.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel and turn on notifications so you don’t miss out on any of the other insight I have to offer!
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UpMyInfluence is an Influence Agency dedicated to turning thoughtful entrepreneurs into media celebrities increasing their authority, influence and revenue. To learn how we can help YOU check out Josh’s free webinar.
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