How to Use Your Branding Images
As a personal branding photographer based in Ridgefield, CT serving Fairfield County, Westchester County and the Hudson Valley, I am wild about seeing business owners put themselves out there. Investing in a branding session, and then making the commitment to share the images to your audiences, is one of the single most effective ways to cut through the clutter in a crowded marketplace. If you’re investing in a branding session for yourself and your business, I can assure you that you’re already way ahead of the game in terms of marketing efforts.
But how can you make the most of your branding images? Funny you should ask. With my passion for photography and background in marketing, PR and communications, I want you to make the most out of your investment. So I’m sharing a host of ways your branding imagery can be used once you receive your final gallery from your photographer.
Websites
Sharing professional photos of yourself on your website may seem like a no-brainer, but hear me out. As a minimum, the bio or “about me” section of your website should have your headshot. But your branding gallery should have a number of images of you at work – perhaps at your desk, or working with a client, or doing the thing that you uniquely offer – and these are fantastic to pepper throughout your site to show your expertise. I can promise this beats stock imagery any day of the week.
Social media
Love it or hate it, social media is here to stay, and it also happens to be one of the easiest ways to showcase who you are and what you offer to an audience. So use it and use your branding imagery, too. Your favorite headshot from the gallery can be used in a Friday introductions post. That picture of you typing away at your trusty laptop can be used to let people know when your office hours are for the week. And an image of you with a big, ole bunch of balloons or bottle of bubbly can be pulled out and posted when you have great news to share - be it the landing of an important new client, or when you hit a milestone number of followers.
Business cards
Business cards can be boring, but I remember each and every one that has a photo on it. So next time your biz cards are running low, consider a redesign that has a photo of yourself on it. It will leave a lasting impression.
Email signatures
I was emailing with photography educator Sabrina Gebhardt just this week, and she included a photo of herself in her email signature. And let me tell you, I can’t stop thinking about it! I have been learning from Sabrina for a few years now; I know what she looks like, and it still left a mark on me. For folks that have never emailed you, imagine how your message will stand out with a photo of you in it. It immediately establishes a rapport and comfort level. They’ll know who you are when approaching you in real life for the first time. This is such a win, and a stellar way to differentiate yourself.
If you have a presence on LinkedIn, updating your profile picture is a great way to remind your network that you’re there and still doing your thing. And it elevates your professional profile, too. And if you don’t have a LinkedIn profile yet, use this as your push to create one. May as well do it while you have beautiful, fresh photos of yourself to put out there! ;)
Zoom Profiles
Did you know that you can pop a photo of yourself onto Zoom so that when your camera is off, a photo of you appears instead of the dreaded black screen? Simply upload a branding image into the profile section of your Zoom account and voila.
Newsletters
Newsletters aren’t just about copy. In fact, you should be breaking up the text in your newsletters with graphics and imagery. Utilizing your branding photos in your newsletters is another way to show your audience who you are and how you work.
Media
Will you or your business be featured in a local publication? Will you be doing a speaking engagement for an organization you’re involved in? I can assure you that your headshot will be requested and you’ll want it to be professional and look like you at your best. Branding sessions FTW!
Marketing Collateral
Whether you’re in an industry that utilizes print collateral (like real estate) or need to produce digital collateral to help market your business, your branding gallery will give you a wealth of options to use. And if you need to lose the background or apply a logo overlay to an image, Canva, an online design site, is a great tool to make your branding images go even further, in whatever iteration you may need them for. And it’s completely free.
Have more questions? I’d love to chat! Reach out to here.