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5 steps to create personal branding photos that connect

Personal branding guides
Personal branding photo of Bath based independent bakery

Welcome to my latest blog in the personal branding photography series.

Here are 5 simple steps to help you create engaging personal branding photos that connect with your ideal client.

Step 1 – What’s your story?

If you want to tell your story and connect with personal branding photography you need to know what that story is.

What makes you different? What’s your USP and do you communicate it clearly? Most of us have a rough idea – but have we communicated it in a compelling way?

Great copywriting is essential. When you combine great copy with powerful images, you’re starting to connect on a different level. You’re helping your ideal client visualise what it’s like to work with you.

Step 2 – Who’s your ideal client?

Before you start creating a series of personal branding photos you need to get to know your ideal client.

You might have heard the phrase ‘customer avatar’ or ‘client persona’. Creating a customer avatar is a great way to visualise your ideal client. How old are they and what are they interested in? What solution are they searching for? Do they own a business? Are they creative and independent thinkers etc.

We can take it a step further. Rather than just using words, we can give them a visual identity, a name and bring them to life.

Step 3 – Attracting your ideal client

Once you know who your ideal client is, you can talk to them and share content they’ll find useful. Visualise them and the words will flow more easily and when it comes to incorporating personal branding images ask yourself…

  • Will the images help my ideal client visualise working with me?
  • Are the images and copy aligned?
  • Do my personal branding images create an emotional connection?

Are there any trends you can find to help you identify your ideal client?

Personal branding photo of Alena Bissinger - resident artist at Made in Bradford on Avon
Personal branding photo of female business owner walking through the park

Step 4 – Building a connection

Building a relationship with potential clients takes time. That’s why networking remains so popular. We’re social animals at heart and we need to feel a connection with the people we work with.

When we visit a website we need to make a connection quickly or we move on. You have about 15 seconds max before a new user will click away.  So making that connection with compelling copy and images is essential.

By using carefully crafted personal branding images that align with your copy and your ideal client, you’re giving them an opportunity to get to know you and visualise working with you.

It’s just one step on the journey. But you’re guiding, educating and giving them the confidence to read more or reach out and get in touch.

Step 5 – Preparing for your personal branding photo session

Planning ahead is essential. I’ll ask you to share some background on your ideal client, what you do for them and how you interact with them?

What are your client’s pain points, fears, hopes and aspirations? Can we help them overcome those fears by showing them what you do and how you do it?

Ultimately we want to create a series of images you can use on your website, in your print and social campaigns.

If you have a marketing content planner, we can use this to guide your personal branding images. You’ll be armed with all the visual content you need to bring your campaigns alive!

When’s the right time for your personal branding session?

If you’ve looked at your website and social posts and feel your images don’t tell a story or connect with your ideal client, you’re probably ready to make the next step and invest in personal branding photography.

The preparation is essential though. If you’re not sure who your ideal client is, your USP or your client’s pain points I’d recommend doing this work first. Once you’ve done the groundwork you’ll know who you’re targeting, what makes you unique and you’ll avoid making expensive mistakes further down the line.

Getting in touch

If you’d like to get in touch you can schedule a free 30 minute consultation call at a time that suits you. It’s your opportunity to tell me all about your business, your journey so far and what you want to achieve. I’ll help and guide you with any questions you may have.

Need some help or have a question?

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