How to use Your Professional Headshots
As a business, you can’t splurge on everything — in most cases, “good enough” needs to be just that.
As a marketing strategist, I get it. I managed clients’ budgets and was responsible for using those budgets to make more money — much, much more money than the budgets I had been given. Although I had to make those dollars stretch across many campaigns and services, I didn’t always go for the cheapest option when I knew there was potential was for more ROI.
If you’re wrestling with the budgeting your employee headshots based on quality (costs more) vs. a budget (poorer quality) option, here are a few tips to help you think about how to extend the life of your images.
First, AVOID COMMON PITFALLS
Before we dive into stretching your headshot dollars, let’s talk about the biggest pitfall: If they don’t go well, you lose your hero status pretty quickly.
Your employees are spending extra time to get dressed up and prepare for a photo shoot, so it’s important to provide them with images that look truest to their real-life persona. If you’re nervous about choosing a photographer:
Ask for full galleries from your photographer.
Ask how they prepare their clients before the shoot.
Ask how they work in offsite locations
Ask how the image selection process goes. Believe it or not, some photographers will LITERALLY TAKE ONE PHOTO and if that photo isn’t flattering to your employee, tough luck.
Choose a photographer who coaches and captures your employee’s most flattering pose and smile.
A good headshot will last 4-7 years and if your company experiences relatively low turnover.
Approach Your Photo Shoot with Efficiency in Mind
Do you have a company meeting approaching soon? An employee event? That’s a great time to organize photo sessions. There are efficiencies for photographers when setting up, tearing down, and doing an assembly-line style approach to work.
Don’t expect it to shave off half of the cost, though. Contrary to popular belief, we need to cover a range of normal business expenses such as sales tax (state and federal), business overhead for photographers (insurance, equipment, etc.) and paying our assistants. Like you, we are also running a business and have to consider profitability.
Thinking beyond budget, let’s consider the perks of a good headshot.
How Sales Teams Benefit from headshots
The more personal the connection — even with cold calls — are better when you feel like you at least see who you’re talking to.
Email Signatures: Include your photo in a templated email signature. It’s not only great for brand consistency, but it allows for a photo. WiseStamp is a fantastic tool and offers a free version.
LinkedIn Profiles: Updating your photo with a professional headshot gives each sales person a consistent, professional brand. Meaning, no more dude in a Hawaiian shirt holding a beer. And posting the same photo in the LinkedIn feed will boost the algorithm (it gets him or her noticed).
Pricing Guides, Estimates, and Proposals: Include a headshot in pricing information. It shows there’s a human behind the money exchange.
How to Use Headshots in Marketing Materials
Humanize your marketing by including headshots in these materials:
Photos for your website or your company website. Add personality to your website by sharing some interesting facts and goofy tidbits. Here’s a great example of a creative employee bio page.
Bio headshots for campaign landing pages
Promotional pamphlets/flyers
Business related opt-ins/free resources
Business cards
Digital Advertising
Blog Posts
Contributor photos (employees are often guest speakers or panelists)
Google MyBusiness - leverage each of your employees’ photos as individual posts. Doing this, along with a few other tricks, boosts search engine optimization.
How Human Resources Can Use Employee Headshots
Employee features or honoring employee accolades boosts morale and provide more marketing fodder. Let’s put a face behind the hero of the hour.
Feature your employees headshots in internal and external newsletters and shout out their accomplishments.
Post your featured employee on social media if there’s something brag-worthy.
Include a headshot photo on a plaque or award in the office for major events (years of service, retirement, sales milestones, etc.)
With photographers ranging from entry-level hobbyists to seasoned professionals with varied price ranges, it’s no wonder hiring a headshot photographer is challenging. Learn more about how to find the right photographer.
To book your headshots or business portraits, contact Michelle Loufman.
