There is a lot to learn for beginners in digital marketing, but the most crucial lesson of all is that the internet a visual medium.
Although computers can be customized for blind people, far and away the vast majority of people who use the internet depend on their eyes to bring them the information that’s out there.
Websites use colors, the more vibrant and eye-catching the better. They experiment with different fonts, again, calculated to appeal to your visual senses. Pictures play a huge part in any website, except Drudge perhaps and he’s always been something of an outlier even before his famous website took off.
The point is, successful websites need visuals that are stunning and professionally done in order to capture the attention of people who visit. This is doubly true on social media accounts. Since your account is mixed in with everyone else’s, yours absolutely, positively has to stand out from the crowd.
The Importance Of Digital Marketing
Ads on your local television or radio are expensive and only reach a limited market. Digital marketing reaches the whole world – except perhaps in places like China where your product might be against the law or land someone in the gulag for buying it. Aside from that, everyone in the world is a potential customer.
Therefore, digital marketing is crucial to your company’s success. That being said, your first step into the world of digital marketing is the headshots you put on your social media accounts, then later, the ones you put on your website.
What A Headshot Is
Simply put, a headshot is a picture of a person. It usually shows them from the waist and up and makes them the focus of the picture. Alternately it is known as a publicity shot. Some people call it a beauty shot too. You’ve probably seen them all your life but never knew the technical name for them.
There are two kinds of headshots; professional headshots and amateur headshots. The differences between them are instantly noticeable. Amateur headshots don’t make the person in them stand out, don’t beautify them, don’t use the correct colors for the person’s skin tone, and often get the clothing and background wrong. Those kind of pictures are little more than a snapshot taken with a smartphone. They may be suitable for your scrapbook but not much else.
Professional headshots are done in a photography studio using professional equipment, camera, lights, backdrops, and photo finishing tools. A professional photographer who makes their living taking pictures will examine your natural skin tone, hair color, and eye color then combine that with the brand of your company to propose a specific shot that will draw people’s attention when they see it.
The photographer will recommend what clothing you should wear, what colors it should be, and how they want it draped or styled. Every person won’t necessarily be dressed in a three-piece suit because that may not match the brand of your company. An artist would need a different headshot than a corporate attorney.
Pay For The Best
If you’re willing to pay for television and radio advertising, you should be ready to pay for headshot photography as well. Companies like JA Headshots are as knowledgeable in their area of expertise as you are in yours. Instead of trying to do their job on your own for cheap and getting cheap looking results, pay them what they’re worth and you’ll get your money’s worth in headshots what will help you promote your business in the world of digital marketing.
You can’t do their job for them, but you can make their job easier by following a few simple rules.
- Don’t Get A Haircut
This one sounds a bit counter-intuitive but most photographers and experts say you should wait at least a week after getting a haircut before have a professional photo taken. It gives your hair time to grow out and look more natural. Otherwise, your hair will look a bit too raw and artificial, like a wig.
- Watch Your Posture
Most mothers have told their children to stand or sit up straight and yours was probably no different. Good posture projects a positive image of confidence and professionalism.
- Bring A Friend
This is a bit of psychology at work here. Having a close, personal friend with you helps ease the tension and keep you relaxed in front of the camera. The camera lens is unforgiving and if you are worried or tense, it will capture it for all the world to see.
Your photographer will appreciate you looking your best and being relaxed. The easier you make their job, the better the results will be for you.