When I set out in business four years ago, I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into. I knew what I wanted to offer but to continue down an entrepreneur path, I had to transition from mummy photos all over the internet to something more professional to represent my brand.
I struggled with my mumsy wardrobe and being out of work for so long, so I started my journey with a trusted friend taking some photos of me (in some tight fitting business wear) in her back yard. I got a lot of traction from this first photo starting out and thought it was best to be out there than not at all. It was my first step into the big bad business owners world.
I stuck with my brand colours that I had just got back from the logo designer and put on some makeup, straightened my hair and away I went.
I soon realised, that I needed more than one great shot and being an online business, my pictures were crucial for my job. I was lucky enough to write about a pin-up photo shoot with the lovely Violet Devine from Tasmania and used my fifties photos to encourage some fun and attention to the business I was building.
After a while, it was time to step up my game. I ran my business as a hobby for a couple of years. Because I loved it, I found it hard to charge people, I did a lot for free and spent a lot of time networking and building crucial business relationships. This was my behind the scenes growth time I guess and I don’t regret it one bit. One day, I had a chat to hubby about what my plans were. It was time to contribute to some food on the table and to do this I needed to value my time and step it up. With the assistance of a fabulous business coach and a profile shoot with Sarah Marshall, I was able to use my new professional photos across my online platforms and push my profile to a higher level pretty much over night.
Top tips:
-Use a professional photo on your business pages but also on your personal page as well. Possible clients will also look for you there, so keep it professional.
-Show your personality – people want to see the real you shining through.
-Do NOT use photo cut-offs (a picture of yourself cropped from a party or with a group of friends)
-Use eye contact, colour and smiles!
-It’s worth paying extra for professional hair and makeup if you are keen to give it your all.
-Invest in a professional to capture unique moments.
-Update them from time to time (especially during a launch) to keep it fresh.
Life
as an Entrepeneur
-PHILIPPA MANNAGH