Head Shot Do’s and Dont’s

I get a lot of traffic on this blog from people looking for information about “head shots” for business cards. I have accompanied a lot of clients for their head shots, but having never had to pose for one the following are some theoretical do’s and don’ts.

Do’s:

1. Convey a relaxed, candid, warm, open, honest image.
2. Choose from at least 10 photos and narrow your choice down to the two best.
3. Look straight at the camera unless the photographer recommends an angle.
4. Avoid busy patterns and lines/stripes.
5. Have a warm smile, not a laugh. Think you are greeting an old friend.
6. Take two or three changes of clothing so you can experiment with contrasting colors.
7. Try to dress as you would walking down the street on a business day.
8. Bring samples of head shots you like.
9. Tell the photographer the image you are trying to convey.
10. Practice poses and expressions in front of a mirror before the shoot
11. Dark clothes attract less attention and put the attention on your face and eyes..

This is an example of what picture can look like when it is cropped properly.

Don’ts: These are general rules of thumb and not written in stone.

1. No crossed-arms.
2. Don’t get a new hair cut just before the shoot.
3. No props like sold signs, dogs, horses, cell phones or hats.
4. Don’t act like someone you are not.
5. Do not drink alcohol or take any drugs directly before or the night before your shoot. If possible, do not smoke cigarettes directly before your shoot.
6. Don’t wear white unless you wear it underneath something.
7. Do not try/use any new product on your hair, face or body the day before or few days before your shoot.
8. Avoid jewelry that would distract from your face or that looks dated.
9. Don’t overdress.

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Creating a Network

Regardless of what business you are in your database is the most important tool you have and building your network is the key to success of most businesses. Most people ponder where their network comes from so here are a few ideas. There are 5 main areas to look at in creating a network or sphere of influence. I have listed some of the companies that fall into these categories:

1) Your Business and Work network
2) Your Money and Legal network
3) Your Personal Health network
4) Your Personal Service network
5) Your Home Service Network

Marketing Tool Kit

I always carry around a Marketing Tool Kit that contains samples of work I have done and a number of other items that I routinely pull out at meetings. You never know when you are going to run into an opportunity.

So what is a Marketing Tool Kit? It is a tool for educating people about what you do. It contains key data about your business, products and services that you can easily share with prospects and customers.

Graphic Designers and photographers usually carry around a portfolio of their work so they can demonstrate the work they do so why don’t you carry around the most vaulable information in one place?

What is in a marketing toolkit?
That depends on your business and service, but here are a few ideas. Each item should be in it’s own section and laid out on one or two pages:

1. Your Unique Selling Proposition
2. Mission Statement
3. Customer List
4. Customer References and Testimonials
5. Frequently Asked Questions
6. Product or Service Lists
7. Checklists
8. Samples
9. Price Sheet
10. Brochures
11. Marketing Materials
12. Screen capture of your web site
13. Photographs of Products (installations etc)
14. Articles or White Papers about the product or service
15. Technical Specifications
16. Contact Numbers

Can you think of anything else?

Direct Mail Idea For Summer

Golf season is in full swing (no pun intended) and there are probably lots of recreational golfers in your farm area or among your sphere of influence that would like a handy reference guide. I created this one for a Realtor by the name of Michael Schelhaas for distribution through the local Streetcards network.

I researched the local golf courses including par 3’s where families like to go and put all of the information on a handy postcard.

The image on the front was a low resolution image I received as a joke by email (so if you are the creator of this image please let me know so I can give you credit). The image and tag line made people smile, but there are lots of other images such as the ones following that you can use on the front of the postcard.

Marketing Gimmick for the Day

In my never-ending quest to bring you the latest in marketing tools I thought you might have some fun with the Custom Road Sign generator. I couldn’t resist this one:

Most Expensive Property For Sale in the U.S.

The most expensive property for sale in the United States is the Hala Ranch, asking price is $ 135 million, located northwest of Downtown Aspen, Colo. The current owner is the family of Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the former ambassador to the United States form Saudi Arabia.

Joshua Saslove, principal of Joshua Inc., which has the sales listing, has received more than 1,000 requests to tour the house since it went on the market last October, but only 11 of them have been granted. To qualify, a potential buyer must be a billionaire.

At 56,000 square feet, Hala is bigger than the White House. It operates with a staff of 12 who keep busy with 15 bedrooms and 16 baths. It has a private barbershop and beauty salon just off the master suite and enough space for a party of 450 people.

One drawback is the kitchen is in the basement and outfitted for the convenience of professional chefs. I would miss slipping down to the kitchen to make a grilled cheese sandwich at midnight.

Where does the asking price come from? Saslove estimates that an acre of land in this area is worth $9 million and Hala sits on 95 of them.

By the way the total value of listings on the Joshua Inc web site is $ 486, 890,000 for 23 listings. The other 22 listings average almost $ 16 million each.