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It’s not rocket science and it all has to do with YOU.
That’s right – you.
When a brand new reader visits your site, what is the first thing they see? Is it you at a Halloween party five years ago? Is it your feet? Is it a blurry rendition of you?
Or is it your beautiful, smiling self?
I visit a lot of blogs in the course of a day. Researching, reading, exploring, and stopping in to say “Hi” to friends are all a part of my daily routine. So believe me when I say, I’ve seen it all when it comes to blog headshots.
I’ve seen everything from gals with their cats to guys in their high school football uniforms. Some are funny and some are just sad. I can’t even tell you how to get back to any of them because I ran away so fast.
A runaway reader is the last thing you want. The worst would be for a brand new visitor to leave your site because of you.
You are your blog. It’s your voice. It’s your essence. What new readers want most of all is to connect with you and that usually happens, or doesn’t happen, within the first few seconds of arriving on your site.
The fastest way to land a new reader is to connect with them.
In real life you do this visually and through auditory sound, voices. Online you are unable to hear anyone so your vision becomes hypersensitive. Suddenly, what you see holds the most sway in making decisions. That’s the power of advertising and it also applies to your blog.
It’s all about identity. I’m talking about more than just brand here. I’m talking about the face behind the blog. The key element for making that initial connection with a new reader is to present your best self.
Every blog need a good, clear headshot, preferably above the fold.
Headshots can be professional, but they don’t have to be. Headshots can cost a lot of money, but they don’t have to. Headshots can be photoshopped, but that’s not necessary.
What a headshot has to be, first and foremost, is you smiling, looking your best, and looking straight into the camera.
Here are my top 5 tips when it comes to headshots:
Smile and look into the camera
If you want a photo of you looking into the distance, that’s fine, but it’s an extra, not your main photo.
Post a clear photo
It may be black and white or in color but it must be clear
Look your best
Take a shower, put some makeup on (ladies), present your best self. Wear something that makes you feel lovely or handsome, keep it simple and avoid busy patterns. And by all means, no cleavage. You want your readers to look at your face.
Pose like a professional
This means stand or sit so you look like you know what you are talking about. This is not a glamour shoot, you are not a magazine model. Don’t have your hair in your eyes, look sultry or coy. No pouty lips.
Exude trustworthiness
Readers aren’t making a judgement as to whether you are beautiful or handsome. They are looking to see if they can trust you. They want to see if you are like them but might have something to offer in the way of experience, knowledge, or information. The best way to do this is to smile.
I hope you can see how important this is. It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. It only has to make a connection and BAM! that new reader is yours.
Here are my favorite links for getting more info on a great headshot:
- 5 Tips For A Great Headshot
- 10 Easy Steps to Create Amazing Headshots
- How To Be Photogenic For A Professional Headshot
How’s your headshot looking? Do you need a new one?
Photo by Sara Kurfeß on Unsplash
Photo by Michael Dam on Unsplash
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