• LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US

8WomenDream

Dream Big Stories

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CONNECT
You Are Here Home » BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER » 8 Ways Your Bad Headshot Could Be Costing You

in BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

8 Ways Your Bad Headshot Could Be Costing You

Last updated on January 21st, 2014 at 11:25 pm

headshotE

Okay, what does that picture above tell you about me? What words immediately pop into your mind? Stop and think about it for a minute.

I’ll tell you what words pop into mine:

Crazy, Looks Like An Idiot, Needs To Lose Weight, Funny, Fun, I Want To Play, How Hot Is She In Those Pajamas!

There is no right or wrong answer to that question. I just want to point out that pictures make you feel something about that person. If my goal was make you think my butt is small, this picture failed.

But if my goal was to show you that I’m not afraid to have fun, then I think this picture wins. If I was looking for the picture that showed me in my best light, I would not have chosen that one. If I was looking for a picture that made other women want to hang out with me – Bingo.

Photos Matter!8 Ways Your Headshot Could Be Costing You - My main bio shot

Selling is emotional. For those of you dreaming of a public speaking career, speakers are hired as much (if not more so) for their personality as for their content. And one way to show your personality is through your photos.

So why are you using your church directory picture?

Yuck.

Many speakers are losing out on business simply because they choose the wrong photographs. They choose canned overly-posed fake pictures with the same background, the same pose, and the same color suit as thirty-seven-thousand other speakers. The goal in this business is to set yourself apart – not blend in. See what everybody else is doing and do something different.

Think Album Cover – Not Head-shot

If I had one advice I would give to speakers when it comes to head-shots, and any other photos they use on the website or in publicity photos, it would be to think “album cover” not head-shot.  Album covers sell the personality of the band. They tell you about the style of the music. They are cutting edge, fresh, and built upon the personality of the members.

And they get our attention. Clients don’t buy church directories, they buy album covers.

8 Ways Your Bad Head-shot Could Be Costing You

8 Ways Your Headshot Could Be Costing You - Church photo1. Your head-shot was obviously taken on an iPhone in your living room by your spouse. 
This is not good enough, and makes you look unprofessional. Get a professional to take your picture. I actually recommend one who doesn’t do head-shots, if you truly want someone who doesn’t play the by rules.

2. Your head-shot could double as your church directory picture.
get on the internet and go look at a hundred speakers’ head-shots and you will quickly see what I mean. Church directory photos never show personality.  Show us your personality. Even if you don’t go to church, you know what I mean.

3. Your head-shot shows you in front of a big yellow wall in a conference room at the Motel 6 behind a podium, and you’re not even facing us.
I have nothing against speaking in a conference room at the Motel 6. But having this as my head-shot is going to work against me if I want bigger gigs. My clients are getting impressions about me even when they don’t realize it. So I want them to think of me for bigger gigs in bigger venues.

I’m not telling you that you can’t market yourself in small conference rooms. I just want you to be aware of what your picture is saying about you.

8 Ways Your Headshot Could Be Costing You - Motel 6

4. We can’t see your face.
The point of a head shot is to see your head. We want as much face as possible in the picture. There are exceptions to this rule. I will use photos that show me in an impressive venue, and I don’t really care if you see my face at all. I want you to see the size audience I had. Sometimes I will use a cartoon logo because I want you to have an impression of fun and funny.

I love head-shots of speakers in action – sky diving, riding the bull, rowing a boat. It shows us who you are. It shows personality. And personality sells. Maybe not as your head-shot, but definitely for other photos on your site, and definitely for promotional and publicity purposes. Audiences want to come see a fun speaker – not a speaker who looks good on camera.

8 Ways Your Headshot Could Be Costing You

5. Your kid or your dog or your husband is in the head-shot. 
I love kids and I love dogs and I do love my husband. But when they show up in a head-shot, it screams unprofessional. I don’t mind seeing them on your website, because it allows me to see you as a person. And people buy from people they like. But not in a head-shot.

8 Ways Your Headshot Could Be Costing You - Me with hubby

6. You are wearing something you would never speak in.
I used to buy a suit just for my head-shot. Now that’s just dumb. Why would I sell them something they aren’t going to get in person? What I wear is a perfect chance for me to show them my personality and the style of my speaking. Since my stories are folksy, I have some head-shots in jean jackets and cowboy boots.

8 Ways Your Headshot Could Be Costing You - Natural me

7. You’re in the same pose as forty-seven-hundred other speakers.
It’s time to retire the “here’s me with my hand on my chin” pose. It’s also time to retire the “here’s me laughing at something I see in the sky” pose. And it’s time to retire the “here’s me pointing at you and laughing” pose.

I say go for relaxed and comfortable. When I look through a family photo album, it’s not the canned yearly Christmas picture that I love, it’s the impromptu spontaneous ones.

8. You look nothing like your  head-shot.
Your head-shot is the same one you have been using for twenty years.  Now this is just sad, and I see it all the time. And I hear meeting planners talking about it all the time – about speakers showing up and they don’t even recognize them because they look nothing like their head-shots.

 If you have hair in your head-shot, and you don’t now, it’s time get a new picture taken.

If your photos suck, don’t worry. I’ve had plenty that did, and some of them are probably still on my site. It’s never too late to change them out – one photo at a time. And here’s the good news: You don’t have to go lose ten pounds, or a get a whole new look. This isn’t about being Speaker Barbie.

This is about being YOU. Showing us who you already are.

Remember to think album cover, and your head-shots will take you out of the chorus line and into the spotlight.

Kelly

Kelly Swanson
Kelly Swanson

Kelly Swanson is an award-winning storyteller, motivational speaker, published author and TV personality who is passionate about helping women harness the power of their stories to connect, influence, and get the results they dream of accomplishing. Laughing the whole way, Kelly teaches women how to master the art of connection through the power of strategic storytelling. You can find her on The Fashion Hero show airing Fall of 2017 on Amazon Prime or on her website MotivationalSpeakerKellySwanson.com.

Note: Articles by Kelly may contain affiliate links and may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link.

Related Stories:

  • What Would You Attempt to Do if You Knew You Could Not Fail?
    What Would You Attempt to Do if You Knew You Could Not Fail?
  • But What If You Could Change Your Eating Habits?
    But What If You Could Change Your Eating Habits?
  • 8 Chef Contests that Could Make You a Celebrity Chef
    8 Chef Contests that Could Make You a Celebrity Chef
  • Got Fitness? Milk Could Kill Your Fitness Dream
    Got Fitness? Milk Could Kill Your Fitness Dream

Filed Under: BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

Some of the posts on 8WD contain affiliate links or links to purchase products or programs from 8WD contributors. This means 8WD or the contributor may make a small commission if you make a purchase. The 8WD affiliate links help offset the cost of hosting this website and the contributor links help support the dreams of the contributor. Please check out the 8WD Legal Page for more details.

Thank you for your continued support!

« 8 Best Motivational Speaker Books for Those Who Dream of a Public Speaking Career
Finding a World Travel Blogging Niche »

Check it out

  • LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US


The 8WomenDream Dream Tote Bag

About the 8WomenDream Tote Bag
US – 10oz Cotton
Dimensions (External Dimensions)
• Height – 18″ (45.72cm or 457.2mm)
• Width – 15″ (38.1cm or 381mm)
Handle Dimensions (Internal Dimensions)
• Length – 29″ (73.7cm or 736.6mm)

Recent Dream Stories

  • Live Your Wildest Dreams Masterclass
  • Winter Solstice Celebrations: What to Do With 1 Minute More?
  • Starting Over as a Single Mom Wasn’t My Big Dream
  • Warning: Big Dream to Be a Motivational Speaker Won’t Always Obey Your Plans
  • Dance to Relieve Stress to Focus on Your Big Dream
  • 6 Tips to Avoid Get Rich Quick Scams as a Public Speaker
  • A Dream to Spread MLK’s Message of Love
  • Best Goal Setting Advice that Actually Works
Catherine Hughes on Dealspotr
Catherine Hughes
@8WomenDream
Let’s collaborate
Powered by Dealspotr

Inspiration

More About 8WD

WE BELIEVE EVERYONE HAS THE POWER TO ACHIEVE BIG DREAMS.
 
IT IS OUR SINCEREST WISH THROUGH THE SHARING OF PERSONAL STORIES ABOUT WHAT IT’S LIKE TO TRY TO ACHIEVE A BIG DREAM THAT WE WILL INSPIRE YOU GO AFTER A BIG DREAM TOO.
 
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT 8WOMENDREAM, HERE.

8 WOMEN DREAM | COPYRIGHT All RIGHTS RESERVED © 2023 ·

Welcome to 8WomenDream Where Big Dreams Are Shared
The 8WomenDream website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're OK with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. ACCEPT REJECT READ MORE
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT