Putting a Face to Your Brand

In our modern world of judging by appearance, it’s natural for many of us to be shy and hide behind our business logo. But one of the best things you can do for your business is to show the face behind the business – your face.

Why a face is important for connection

People like to feel like they are making a connection with another human, especially in health care fields. They don’t want to feel like another number to a massive corporation. At the end of the day, they like working with real people, allowing them to feel connected to the business.

Think about it. When you’re scrolling through your Instagram or Facebook feed, what makes you look twice? Often, it’s a face looking out at you! We’re biologically primed to seek out our own kind and feel connected to them.

The more that people feel connected to you, the more likely they will reach out for your service or products. It’s that simple.

The easiest method to do it
So, how on earth do you show the face behind your business in a way that makes feel people connected? Why, it’s the good ol’ selfie!

Selfies are a way of showing you in a natural setting. It shows that you’re an everyday person behind the scenes, just like your audience. Followers are excited to see what goes on in your life, and often it’s the most liked photo for that week.

You don’t need to share a selfie every single day to connect with people! But try to share a picture semi-regularly – maybe one selfie for every 5-10 business related images. You can even combine your selfie with business. For example: take a selfie at your desk or in your clinic, and show people a bit about your workspace.

How to take a good selfie

Be aware of your environment

The most common mistake is not being in a good environment. We can tell if you’re in the car or in the bathroom! Take a look at your surroundings. The best is a plain wall, with muted colours that won’t distract or clash with your skin tone, hair or outfit. Or, you might like to choose backgrounds that match your brand, such as an art print or bunch of flowers that are complimentary colours to your logo or branding.

Choose good lighting

A photo taken in a dark house with a yellow or orange overhead light is not flattering or pleasant to look at. They will show up as too dark, or blurry and fuzzy. Photos taken in direct sunlight will show harsh shadows and angles.

Instead, use natural, diffused light. The best light is next to a window that allows in some natural light. It’s soft, flattering and beautiful – everything you want in a selfie.

Know your angles
Got the double chin showing in your selfies? It’s all in the angle. You don’t want to take an image from a low angle, as it makes every face look distorted and unattractive. But if you go too high with your angle, you look like a throwback to the Myspace days – not a good look for a business!

Your best angle is a slight elevation from your eyeline. Your eyes will appear larger, and there are no extra chins in sight.

Go solo
It’s great that you have friends. But unless those friends are relevant to your biz – like a networking event – then they don’t belong in your selfies! When someone is cropped out of a selfie, you can tell. And it doesn’t look great. So, focus on your beautiful self and commit to taking solo selfies for your biz page.

Show behind the scenes
People love seeing what you’re creating, and what you do in your workspace. Get some pictures of you doing what you do! If you’re a health coach, show yourself sampling a new delicious recipe. If you’re an acupuncturist, get a shot with your cups or needles. Let your biz shine alongside your beautiful face!

Take more than one!

Don’t just limit yourself to one good selfie. Take a bunch! If you take plenty of pictures in one day, you’ll have lots of different options when it comes to creating new content for your social media, your website and your business. Different locations, gestures or outfits can help convey different meanings in your image. So get creative, and take a ton of selfies!

When to call a professional

Whilst selfies are a great and easy way to start sharing your face in your biz, it can also be worth hiring a professional photographer to get those awesome branding shots. These are perfect for creating themed images in your office or clinic. It also means you can include full body shots, action shots and other poses that are impossible to take in selfie-mode.

The number one thing to remember is this: your audience wants to see you! The more they see you, the more they build a connection to you and your brand. The result of this connection is trust. By being visible in your business, you’re building a trusting relationship with your clients and audience.

So go take that selfie! Put it on Facebook, Instagram, your website. Let people see you and feel like they are a part of your business journey. I promise it’s worth it.

If you’re stuck for ideas on what to take pictures of, check out this handy list:

• Pouring yourself/a friend/client some herbal tea

• Making your creams, ointments or topical treatments

• Sitting at your desk or with your laptop or a pen & paper planner

• Drafting a meal or exercise plan

• Picking fresh flowers or enjoying the sunshine