Dive fully into visual storytelling — a key element to rising above the noise. This week we’re going to dive deep into storytelling through photography and how it can help build your business and bring your brand to life.

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09ª
Includes
V I S U A L S T O R Y T E L L I N G T O B U I L D
Y O U R B R A N D
W H A T I S V I S U A L S T O R Y T E L L I N G ?
I M A G E # 1 : Y O U R P O W E R P O S E
I M A G E # 2 : W O R K I N G G I R L
I M A G E # 3 : P A S S I O N P O R T R A I T
S T O R Y P R O M P T B O N U S : S H A R E
Y O U R H E A D S H O T
Y O U R P O W E R P O S E C H E C K L I S T
W O R K I N G G I R L B R A I N S T O R M
P A S S I O N P O R T R A I T B R A I N S T O R M
B O N U S : H O W T O H I R E A B R A N D
P H O T O G R A P H E R
PHOTOS
THATTELL,
THENSELL

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MARKETING IS NO
LONGER ABOUT THE
STUFF THAT YOU
MAKE, BUT ABOUT
THE STORIES YOU
TELL._
Seth Godin

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Capture your
client s
at tention in a
noisy world
IT'S A crowded, noisy world out there. There
are thousands of brands and businesses
shouting to get your client’s attention. From
advertising to email blasts to social media,
the modern-day customer is bombarded with
messages on a minute-to-minute basis. It’s
time to face reality: the competition is fierce
and our markets are saturated.

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As a business owner, it feels like
we're fighting an uphill battle when
we try to stand out from the crowd
and connect with our audience.
Often, we feel frustrated, lost and
invisible.
How in the world do we get our
client’s attention when we’re in
a world of information overload?
How can we convince them to hire
us versus the competition? How
can we position ourselves as the
expert so they return to us every
single time?
Research shows us that the
sheer visibility of a brand leads
to perceptions of success and
leadership. If your brand is SEEN
more often, your audience will
assume you can deliver on your
promise. You have credibility. If
you're unknown and unseen, you’re
just not as trusted. It' time to dive
deep into storytelling through
photography and learn how it can
help build your business and bring
your brand to life.
TWOWORDS:
VISUALSTORYTELLING What is Visual
Storytelling?
Visual storytelling is a narrative
using images, video, illustration,
infographics and social media.
It’s the idea of showing, not
telling.
Humans are visual creatures.
Think about it: before we make
any buying decision, we go
straight to the website and click
on image after image. We stalk
people’s Facebook photos to
gauge their personality and
determine if they are a good fit.
We scroll through Instagram,
double tapping pictures that
catch our eye and our hearts.
We create Pinterest boards and
pin photos for life’s occasions.
Human beings crave visual
content.
In fact, 90% of the time, the
information sent to our brain is
visual. Our brains process these
images 60,000 times faster
than text. Visuals allow us to
understand ideas better, faster
and longer. Especially in our
world today, where attention
spans are decreasing, visuals
can make an impactful first
impression. What impact does
Visual Storytelling have?

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Connect with your
audience
Storytelling images allow you to breathe life
and personality into your brand. As you share
your story, your audience starts to know, like
and trust you. They see your brand as more
than just a product or service.
Stand-out story
Professional photos help you get noticed,
grab your audience’s attention, and make your
brand memorable. In today's digital, noisy
world, we need powerful tools like imagery to
capture our audience.
Elevate your expert status
Professional photos differentiate the leaders
from the amateurs. In today's competitive
marketplace, great photos can position you as
the authority or go-to expert in your market.
Achieve depth
Your brand is more than a pretty headshot.
Through visual stories, you can give your brand
soul and depth. By sharing your mission, your
vision, and your values, you build a stronger
relationship with your audience. This can lead
to a sense of community and belonging.
THE
IMPACT

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Let's take a look at the different types
of photos your business needs to stand
out and make an impact. Don’t panic, you
don’t have to book a brand photographer
right now (unless you are ready!). You
can create many of these images with a
friend who has a nice camera or even on
your own with a smartphone. The goal is
to start thinking about your own photo
stories and building your visual library.
You want to feel confident that you have
enough visual assets for all your marketing
channels.
M I K I F O T O . C O M
Mallika

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I M A G E # 1 : Y O U R P O W E R P O S E
Also known as your headshot,
this image is your first
impression and often the
initial point of contact with
your business. Consider it
your virtual handshake. Every
business person must have
this image in their brand library because
it communicates that you are a legitimate
business owner and not an amateur. It
should look professional and polished with
a touch of personality. It’s traditionally a
tight, close-up portrait from the shoulders
up with a clean background.
Be consistent and use one headshot
across your social media platforms so your
audience starts to recognize you. Grab
your favorite image and use it for your
LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram profiles
(go do this now!). This will help you stand
out and make you memorable.
Beware of an outdated headshot. You
really want to resemble the person in
your image. There's something suspicious
about meeting someone in person who
looks nothing like their photo. Even worse
is if you don’t have a photo at all! Also
be weary of the stuffy, corporate-styled
image. Nowadays, you don't need to use
a boring screen or sterile white space
for your backdrop. In my opinion, those
shots feel stiff and robotic. As long as the
background is non-cluttered and clean,
you can consider more modern options. A
real, modern space will help position you
as current and relevant. Plus, it will make
you feel real and authentic.
Lastly, if you're using an old, random photo
that you cropped yourself out of (or you're
using an image of you with your cat), it's
time to think about booking a professional
headshot session. You can only make one
first impression, so make sure it's a GOOD
one!
Places to use your headshot: Online Profiles
(Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Linkedin),
Website (Home Page Intro, About Me page,
Contact Me), Email signature, Business
Card + Postcards, Newsletter, Facebook
Group Introductions (attach a photo when
you share your short bio).
THE
IMAGES

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I M A G E # 2 : W O R K I N G G I R L
You’re killing it day in and day out, so
take your audience on the journey of
your daily work life through visuals.
Answer the question your potential
clients probably have on their minds:
how do you do your job?
Start by writing out every step of your
unique process. From the onboarding
of clients to the final stage, map out
your steps. Share what you do, how you
work, when you work, and where you
work. Often, there are many steps that
our audience is unaware of or doesn't
even realize is part of our job.
Now, take a close look at all the actions
and think about visual stories that can
demonstrate your process. If you're a
real estate agent, show us your office
or the types of homes you sell. If you're
a personal stylist, show the places you
shop at and the kinds of services you
provide your client. If you're an interior
designer, show usyour tools and
materials. Give us a behind the scenes
glimpse into your daily work life.
Remember to highlight the stories that
can set you apart. What is unique about
your customer experience? How can you
communicate your USP (unique selling
proposition) through pictures? What
sets you apart from the competition?
If you’re a business consultant, maybe
you only work in person and 1-1. If
you’re a realtor, maybe you specialize
in homes off the NJ transit train line. If
you’re a fitness trainer, maybe you're an
expert in couples workouts. If you’re a
chef, maybe you specialize in teaching
families how to cook together. Think
about the distinctive parts of your
brand, and focus on how you can use
visuals to bring that process to life.
Places to use your working girl portrait :
website, social media, email newsletter,
sales page, facebook ads, everywhere!
Images that demonstrate your process
will not only explain what you do
BETTER but also create depth for your
brand.

10. I M A G E # 2 : W O R K I N G G I R L
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I M A G E # 3 : P A S S I O N P O R T R A I T
How do you feel about your business? How
do your clients feel when working with you?
Communicate this mood and vibe through
visuals. Tie it to the personality of your
brand. Remember, business is not always
transactional. People hire people based on
a FEELING. These storytelling images will
add emotion and dimension to you and your
work, connecting you to the hearts of your
clients.
Use story, expression, emotion, movement,
and props to communicate your passion.
Your audience will start to feel something
and feel connected to you on a personal
level rather than strictly a business one.
When this happens, you can create a sense
of loyalty. Soon clients begin to not only
refer you to friends and colleagues, but
come back to you time and time again.
They will find your brand irresistible and
irreplaceable.
Places to use your passion portrait: website
home page and work with me page, blog
posts, social media, newsletters, sales
pages.
Coming up next, I’ll share three more
types of visuals (Lifestyle Lens + Future
Forecast + Styled Stock) to have in your
brand library. All of these brand images
will boost your visibility and infuse energy
into your brand.
M I K I F O T O . C O M
Mallika

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KEY TAKEAWAY
When you invite the viewer into your story,
they feel more attached to your brand.
Brand photos are a powerful way to grab
attention and build connection with your
audience.
HOMEWORK
Fill out the worksheets and set aside some
time to do an audit of your current brand
photos. Start pulling the visuals together,
both professional and DIY, into one folder
(Dropbox or Google). Identify any gaps or
images that need to be updated. Share your
favorite headshot, working girl or passion
portrait with the group.
STORY PROMPT BONUS
Update your profile pic on your personal and/
or business Facebook page with your favorite
headshot and use the caption area to share an
announcement or your latest offering. A new
headshot always gets likes and comments so
don't waste the caption real estate and use it
wisely. Share some news about your brand!
THE
TAKEAWAYs

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