Put Your Best Face Forward
Get a professionally taken photograph that exudes your brand. Please note that I said professionally taken. That means don’t use a picture that your mother took of you five years ago at the family picnic. According to Brian Wu, award-winning designer and Brandego Creative Director, "The perfect photo [is made up of] a good pose, good subject styling, good lighting, thoughtful background, good composition, good cropping, etc.”
You’ve heard it many times before: “it’s great to connect a face with a name.” Using your photo consistently in your communications will create a deeper connection with those around you. A high quality head shot will speak volumes about your brand; it’s one of the key elements of your personal brand identity system.
Face the Facts
The internet has reduced the world to a village, but unlike the geographically contained villages of the past where you would recognize everyone walking down Main Street, this new village is made up of many faceless inhabitants. Give those you connect with in cyberspace an opportunity to see who you are. Having a photo helps people recognize you and makes you become more real in a world that is becoming more and more virtual. Seeing your face inspires confidence and trust and gives you another opportunity to exude your brand.
For those of you who are concerned that splashing your photo all over the place will make you look self-centered or vain, get over it. If you are concerned about that, you probably aren’t self centered or vain, so you have nothing to worry about!
Keep the Face Fresh
Remember to update your photo regularly – at least every two to three years (more often if, like Michael Jackson, you’re making regular, major changes to your looks.) Although most items in your brand identity system remain consistent over time, you will want to update your photo and other elements to ensure they are accurate and remain relevant. I was speaking with a client who recounted a story about a trainer she hired to deliver a workshop. When he showed up, she didn’t believe it was the same person. The photos on his web site were nearly 20 years old.
Ten Places to Post Your Mug:
- in your instant messaging profile
- in your email signature
- on postage stamps (if you live in the US, France or the Netherlands (and maybe some other countries). Personalized postage stamps in the US are available here
- on your personal web site
- in your Skype profile
- on your blog
- in your virtual network profiles
- at the bottom of articles you write, alongside your bio
- at the end of your ebooks, white papers or reports
- in your Reach Branding Club Profile (we will soon be upgrading the profile form to allow you to upload a photo. Stay tuned.)
> learn everything you need to know about building and using your brand identity
> uncover your unique promise of value - your brand