Our deepest gratitude goes to all the wonderful clients who made our business dreams come true this past year. Thank you to everyone in Snohomish County and beyond who chose us for their business, family, and senior grad portraits!
Happy New Year! We do this for you!
Over the past year, we've had the privilege of working with countless clients on their business branding portraits, and it's been nothing short of epic! From solopreneurs to larger businesses, we've loved helping our clients stand out in their industry and make a powerful first impression with professional, dynamic photos. It's been amazing to witness the transformation that occurs when our clients see themselves through a new lens and start to truly embody the confidence and success they deserve. We can't wait to see what 2023 holds and continue empowering our clients through the art of business branding portraits!
JMB
Image courtesy of Unsplash
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Something has changed in the world. Have you noticed...
Airbnbs are booked up solid across the nation?
Airlines are overbooked?
Concert tickets are gone 15 min. after release?
People are being turned away from the best National Parks?
You have to reserve a spot to go on the best hikes?
Campsite and RV reservations have all been snatched up 6 to 12 months in advance?
Your next available hair appointment is 6 weeks out?
WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!
Likely, you have found yourself in one of two situations. (1) You aren't worried because you planned what you wanted WAY in advance or (2) you experience tremendous disappointment when you found out the people who planned in advance took the opportunity away.
The same is true for on-demand creative services like photography. Half the people and businesses are planning ahead and taking the dates. The other half finds out that, when the idea pops into their head, it is already too late.
Here are 5 things you do to avoid disappointment in 2023
Do you have a senior Grad? Begin talking about the plan for grad portraits now. They need to happen the summer BEFORE the start of grade 12. Most parents don't know this and wait until the last week in August or the start of school. They miss out on the best weather, the best locations, and the best dates. April of the Junior year is not too early to start researching your grad photographer.
Is this the year for family portraits? Spring is when to plan for summer. Families who wait until school is out to think about their portrait plans may be lucky to even get a date in the fall. Some years, the best summer dates can book out 8-12 weeks in advance.
Going on a special vacation? Know that all photographers are busy during the most beautiful months of the year. Take your photographer plans as seriously as you would your flights and accommodations because other people are.
Needing business portraits? Plan now for Q1 or Q2 because where will your team be in Q3? On vacation, of course! So then it gets bumped to Q4, but everyone is too busy through the holidays and it gets bumped to Q1 of next year. Yikes!
Take a moment now to consider what your portrait goals are for this year. Bring it up at the next family meeting or business meeting. It is a quick and easy discussion you can have right now that has the power to change how you feel about 2023.
If we can be of service to you in 2023, we look forward to connecting! We know how to help you plan and prepare.
Reach out to us at 206.659.7468 or info@jaredmburns.com
Does your business need branding imagery? We have eight questions here to ask yourself, but first…do you identify with any of these common problems many businesses are facing today?
Their primary customer base is aging and leaving a big hole that qualified millennials are not filling
They know imagery is social currency, but just don't have any idea how to tap into it
They tried to manage their own visual content and can't escape the fact that it is falling short or costing them money and time
Just between you and yourself, here are some questions to assess where your branding imagery is currently at...
Does the imagery you present match the caliber of your business, product, or service?
Is it in-line with your branding, messaging, or philosophy?
Do the images have a cohesive style that shows you've got it all together, you know what you are doing?
Are the team members on your about page represented as experts in what they do? Do they look like a team?
Have you been sharing the behind-the-scenes or on-site expertise your client needs to see?
Does each image tell a story your client will easily understand?
When clients land on your website, does the imagery build connections that lead to sales?
Are viewers invited into your unique experience?
Bottom line: Are your visuals, or lack thereof, costing you business? Do they reinforce a brand story your client would want to be a part of?
The greatest barrier to effective branding imagery usually isn't the cost. It is a lack of vision that costs the company dearly. Let me explain. Most business leaders tell me, in an effort to save money, they tried to DIY their own photos for years and received little or no results. When I ask them to quantify the time their team spent “figuring it out on their own” instead of focusing on their expertise, they tell me the loss equates to tens of thousands of dollars.
How much further along would your business be today had your team members focused on the work they do best?
What would your business development look like right now were you already implementing amazing brand imagery over the past few years?
Moving forward, what if you had access to a system that guaranteed the images you need?
We have a process we call the Story Imagery System. It is a systematic approach to identifying exactly what kind of branding imagery you need and how to create it in a way that connects with the heart of the message. It is about using the right imagery to sell the emotional destination your clients what to buy.
Our Story Imagery approach is different in that it...
Saves you and your team personally time and allows you to focus on what you do best
Simplifies the plan for creating your custom imagery
Makes you money when clients see you have what they want to buy
Takes away the risk of underperforming websites or social content
Builds connections to more qualified customers
Shows prospects in a glance what you do and how you can do it for them
Reduces your effort leaping forward on the brand story
Get's comprehensive variety, yet cohesive images that will draw people into the unique experience you provide
Avoids the hassle of you needing to find all the different media professionals and playing middle man to get them on the same page or chasing them down to deliver in a reasonable time frame
Conveys an overall high-quality message you could not have reached on your own
If you know something is lacking in your presentation or have that feeling your online content may be falling short, give us a call today. In 15 minutes we will be able to determine if we can help and share how we would do it.
© 2020 Jared M. Burns Photography
Snohomish County Business Branding and Headshot Photographer
www.jaredmburns.com | 206.659.7468 | info@jaredmburns.com
Feeling like your business website isn't quite cutting it? You might be right! While headshots are a good start, they're just one piece of the puzzle. We all know that great messaging always answers the six key questions of marketing….Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.
Let’s get real for a moment - Are your marketing images answering these six key questions?
Think about the questions your customers might ask: Who are you? What do you do? Where do you work? Why and how can you help me? Great business photos answer all these questions!
Selling Stuff (Product or Commercial Photography): This is your online catalog! Think of those high-quality product images you see when shopping online. Good photos are essential to grab attention and make sales. (Answers What and Why)
Showing Your Team in Action (Environmental Portraits): These are NOT product shots! They show real people (your team!) doing their jobs in real places or interacting with the product. This helps customers see you as the expert and builds trust. (Answers Who, Where, and How)
Headshots - Your Team's Faces: These are clean, professional close-up shots of your team members. They show confidence and keep your brand image consistent. (Answers Who)
Executive Portraits - Your Leaders: These are different from regular headshots. They give a glimpse into the leader's personality and story, often in their work environment. (Answers the high-level Who, What, and Where)
Building Your Brand (Branding Imagery): This is the big picture! It's all the photos that work together to tell your brand story. They should be consistent, high-quality, and create a feeling that draws in your ideal customer. (Answers Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How on a large scale)
Events You Do (Corporate Event Photography): Great for service providers! These photos show the results of your work - happy clients enjoying the final product. They can also show your team in action. (Answers How and When)
Lifestyle Photos: These sell the feeling your product or service creates. Think of a travel company showing happy vacationers instead of just airplanes. (Answers When, How, and Why)
Your ‘Personal’ Brand (Personal Branding): Similar to lifestyle and branding photos, but focused on YOU. They show your approach and how you personally guide clients to their goals. (Answers Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How on a smaller scale)
Is your visual brand message on point? We can help you identify the perfect photos to showcase your company in the best light. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation today to see how our photography services can elevate your brand!
You’ve got your new headshot and that’s fantastic! It shows you as the confident, approachable person you are, but also signals you genuinely care about what you do and are competent in your craft. Now it is time to let the world know it!
SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
1. Linkedin.com - This is certainly the first place you want to show off your professional side to get the B2B recognition. Hey, while you are changing images on Linkedin, that generic meshy blue thing in the banner image could be replaced with something cooler. Something a little more you!
2. Facebook.com - Facebook does a good job promoting your new image to friends when you upload it as a profile photo. Do you have a business Facebook page? Remember to update it there as well
3. Alignable.com - If you are not using Alignable, you should be! Pro tip: Upload your new profile photo and complete your full profile within the first few hours of signing up to get the best local traction and recognition.
4. Twitter.com - People love to see and know who they are following and bantering with.
5. Instagram.com - If you didn’t already know, this is the fastest growing social media platform. When people are interested in what you share, they will check out your profile and headshot.
6. Meetup.com - This is a powerful tool for anyone who values networking, so put your best foot forward and make the right first impression with your new image.
7. Pinterest.com - People on this platform love to see who the idea generators and content creators are.
COMMUNICATION CHANNELS
8. Your email client - Your profile image will often show up next to your name when you send an email. People are more likely to open an email from someone they recognize.
9. Your email signature - People who don’t interact with you face to face on a regular basis will appreciate the visual reminder of who you are.
10. Gravatar.com - Do you interact with industry blogs or forums? Gravitar is a global avatar that follows you across many sites when you interact.
PUBLICATIONS
11. Editorial Columns - Do you write for any news publications? Make sure they have an updated image of you.
12. Trade Publications or Magazines - Are you featured regularly in any magazines? Be sure to let the editor know about your new headshot.
WEBSITE
13. Update your about page or team page
14. Update your home page or landing pages
15. Update your blog image
16. Share it on your Google Business Profile
17. Don’t forget all your different agent listing sites
18. Update your business card
19. Revise and reprint key marketing materials
20. Print your face large on 1000 T-shirts & give to everyone you know - Okay, maybe not that one!
Image consistency across all the different platforms matters. People want to feel like they know a little bit about the person they are doing business with, so sharing your headshot in all the right places goes a long way to building rapport and all-around likability.
Did I miss anything? Are their other place you would update your profile? Share it in the comments below!
7 things you can do right now to take out that psychological garbage keeping your clients away
Photo courtesy of Gary Chan
Taking out the garbage is an easy enough task, so why does this chore sneak up on us sometimes? We absentmindedly slip into our daily routines, attack the issues that seem urgent, and intend to address the important things tomorrow...and this is where the cycle begins. The psychological garbage builds up and soon everyone notices it but you.
Psychological garbage is comprised of things you neglect to do that when ignored, make your business stink and creates barriers to client relationships. You already do your home chores and office chores, but maybe it is time to add some psychological chores to your list.
Is your business card still relevant to your current branding? Does the person in the photo look like you? One in four people I network with has a business card barrier. Are you certain the phone number, address, email, and website are perfectly correct?
Recently, one woman asked me to follow up with her but neglected to put her phone number on the card. When I reached out by email, it bounced. I checked her website for other channels of communication, but her website wasn't just unreachable, it had expired so long ago the domain was up for sale.
Check over every detail on your card regularly before continuing to hand out business cards like candy.
Imagine a time you wanted to learn more about an organization on social media, but you couldn't quite tell if they were still in business, what they were all about, or how to contact them. To avoid this barrier, your social media business profile, at a minimum, must answer the 6 most important questions...Who, What, Why, When, Where, and How.
How frustrating is it when you call a business and don't hear back for days, weeks, or ever? Do you ever do this to your clients? You can't always answer the phone immediately, however, you can make it part of your office culture to follow up with voicemails within 6 hours, 12 hours, or at least within 24 hours.
It seems the medical, legal, engineering, manufacturing, and software development type companies are the most likely to get sucked into lengthy written descriptions when a poignant photograph could demonstrate all the concepts and more in seconds. (See, wasn’t that run on sentence exhausting?) People will not take the time to read novels on your website but will be drawn in by images and supporting words that sell the experience.
Reduce the long, wordy paragraphs on your website and replace them with images wherever possible.
When a business fails to tell the public where they are located or what region they operate in, they have created a location barrier. Most people want to deal locally. You might be missing business regularly if people are not sure you operate in their area. Now, you might say, "But, Jared, I don't what to close myself off to jobs elsewhere." Listing a location does not prohibit travel. The fact is that the majority of your business already comes from your local area, right? Don't close yourself off to your largest potential customer base. If you want to travel, simply say, "Available for travel."
Your location or region should be listed on your business card, website, email signature, social media profiles, and supporting marketing materials.
How many businesses have you called today? How many had an employee that answered the phone with a less than enthusiastic, "hello..."?
Changing the way you answer the phone takes you from average to remarkable with only two seconds of effort. One of the reoccurring comments we hear from our clients is, "Wow, nobody answers the phone that way any anymore!" What's our secret? We start with a friendly greeting. We state our business name so they know they reached the right place. We let them know who they are speaking with specifically. We ask what we can do to help.
There are far too many businesses out there, both large and small, that throw a few amateur snapshots up and call it good.
Be intentional: A favorite example I see often is the consultant or motivational speaker claiming they have the "secret that will change your life or bring success to business," but can't seem to afford half-way decent photos of themselves or what they do. If they are as good as they claim, shouldn't their media support that?
Be authentic: There is a medical office in the Seattle area that has images of Chicago all over their website. My first thought when I land on their web page is, "Whoops, wrong company!" I also know of a local family veterinarian with images of chiseled male models pretending to be vets. My first thought, “Are they trying to attract women or care for pets?”
Be relevant: There is a residential carpet cleaner that features imagery of an enthusiastic technician on the 38th floor of metropolitan, office high-rise. My first thought…”They probably aren’t interested cleaning the carpets in my little home.”
Make sure your branding and photography is relevant to your region, company culture, and exactly matched to what your ideal client would want or expect to see when they land on your website or browse your materials.
Most clients today will research you online before they make the decision to contact or buy. When they land on your web site they should see a business that presents themselves as confident, shows you have what your they need, and demonstrates you are intentional and dependable in the services you provide.
Everyone else around you excels at being average. The simple task of removing the psychological garbage sets you up to outshine your competition. Market distinction comes from being better, eliminating the barriers, having more integrity, and being known as people can count on. While all your competitors are slipping into bad habits, you can be mindful of your psychological chores and immediately set yourself apart from everyone around you.
-JMB
© 2019 Jared M. Burns Photography
Seattle & Snohomish County Professional Business Headshot Photographer
www.jaredmburns.com | 206.659.7468 | info@jaredmburns.com
Recently, I presented to a group of business networkers and asked a key question in a way most had never thought about. The question was, "Who would you want to do business with?" On the projection screen, I featured the headshots of several actual people doing business. Some of those images were not mine so I can only describe them to you...
A sloppily dressed CEO with head shaded by an oversized hat
A real estate agent in an awkward stance holding a "Sold" sign
A receptionist in front of the office ficus tree
A sales woman with her husband and daughter's faces half cropped out
A professionally dressed, well-poised woman with a confident look and engaging smile
Which of these do you think people said they wanted to buy from?
Of course, 100% of the people in the room raised their hand for #5 with the professional, friendly, confident woman.
The "Ah-ha" moment came next as they realized "This is how their customers are shopping for them!" We are all human and, like it or not, we judge a book by its cover before we choose to read it. In the same way, potential clients are evaluating you right now by the way you present yourself online. They first want to see how much you believe in what you do before working with you.
In the online world, you have only one second to make a first impression. Your image precedes you like a digital handshake showing you are confident and capable.
Are you in a business that works directly with customers?
Could your first impression be improved?
Are your "about me" page or social profiles lacking?
Do you want people in your area to see you as confident and capable?
Would you like customers to feel a connection to you?
Do you want more online customers contacting you?
Do any of these questions resonate with you? The number one thing to remember is clients are going to buy from people they feel they could like and trust. 81% of them will check you out online before they ever contact or visit your business...and that number is growing every year!
© 2018 Jared M. Burns Photography
Seattle & Snohomish Professional Business Headshot Photographer
www.jaredmburns.com | 206.659.7468 | info@jaredmburns.com
Copyright 2023 Jared M. Burns Photography. All rights reserved.
Top-rated photographer in Western Washington for Family, Senior Grad, and Business Branding portraits.
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