I know, I know, you hate pictures of yourself.  I do, too. (My picture that is, not yours.)

When faced with the bi-yearly choice of, “Should I go get my professional photo taken or should I stay at home and floss my teeth?” The teeth would win every time, except…

…except that coaching is a relationship-based business and pictures build relationship.

…except that a professional photo increases name recognition and helps me stand out in a crowd.

…except that if I’m afraid to show the ‘real’ me why would clients trust me to lead them into more authentic living?

…except that if that little gray man shows up as my avatar on social networking sites people will assume I’m some strange stalker-type person and no one will ‘like’ me, want to ‘connect’ or be my ‘friend.’

All of which leads me to the conclusion that I’ll just have to explain to my dentist that flossing is hazardous to my business health and that’s why my teeth aren’t sparkly clean.

So, we do need a professional photo. End of story.

Your Professional Photo

Now that we’ve settled that, what should your professional photo look like?  In a word, professional.

Professional means you are not standing in front of your Christmas tree, the person next to you isn’t cropped out and your pet poodle isn’t in your arms.

Personally, I love all those personality shots (the ones with the dogs, etc.) as it helps the client get a better sense of who you are. So, hang onto those and post them on your About Me page or your Facebook Timeline.

However, the photo on the home page of your website and on social networking sites should be taken by a professional, have a pleasant background, focus primarily on your face, and show you wearing professional attire.

It’s time to put your smiling face front and center and let the world see you for the professional that you are. What are you waiting for?

Kim Avery