4 Reasons You Need Professional Pictures on Your Social Media Platforms

4 Reasons You Need Professional Pictures on Your Social Media Platforms

Do you think there's no difference between professional pictures and amateur pictures? If so, think again.

 

Consider the situation with real estate. According to one source, properties that feature professional rather than amateur photographs sell 32% quicker. It adds that professional photos receive 61% more views than those lacking them and that listings featuring pro-quality images close between $934 and $116,076 higher than comparable listings featuring low-quality pics. 

 

Professional photographs don’t just help to sell real estate -- they can also help you sell yourself as a premier candidate. Whether applying for your dream job or positioning yourself for opportunities in the future, professional pics can help.

 

Consider that LinkedIn members with profile pics get more engagement -- to the tune of 21 times more profile views plus nine times more connection requests. And Inc.com says users with professional headshots get 14 times more views.

 

Getting professional pics can cost an arm and a leg if you book an appointment with a professional photographer, go to their studio, and get the pictures taken. But the good news is that a solution like Portrait Pal, special software with AI baked in, makes it possible to get professional headshots at a fraction of the cost of retaining the services of a professional photographer.

 

Consider these four reasons to choose professional pictures over amateur ones for your social media platforms.

 

1. First Impressions

 

According to one source, 55% of first impressions are determined based on what we see, 38% on what we hear, and 7% on the words spoken.

 

When you post a professional headshot to your social media platforms, prospective employers or headhunters will form better first impressions than if you use headshot pics with your smartphone. It's not that smartphone pictures can't take good pics. The problem is that aiming a camera is just one of many factors that go into getting the best results.

 

Don’t underestimate the importance of making a good initial impression. You only get one time to do so, after all. So, ensure your headshots help rather than hinder your career prospects.

 

2. Professionalism

 

Another reason to get professional headshots for your social media platform is that they will look professional. Prospective employers know when potential candidates are serious about their careers. So, putting in the extra effort, essentially investing in your career through high-quality headshots, will signify you're serious about your career.

 

Again, scrolling through your smartphone and simply using a pic stored in your files won’t have the same dynamic impact as a professional headshot. Your career prospects are worth it.

 

3. Build Trust

 

Building trust is another benefit you'll get by putting professional headshots on your social media platforms. Remember that most people's first impressions of you will be based on visuals. So, make it count.

 

A professional headshot can communicate that you appear to be trustworthy. Consider that companies looking for employees want to find candidates who can fit within their corporate culture. That's one reason to put your best foot forward.

 

You want to let companies get a glimpse into who you are. It's essential to dress and look the part. But professional headshots will maximize those efforts.

 

4. Build a Brand

 

A personal brand includes (but isn't limited to) having a focus, being authentic, and telling a story. Some people think that only companies have brands. But the reality is that everyone has a personal brand. It's what you do with yours that influences its effectiveness. Professional headshots can help to build and support your brand.

 

These are some benefits of going with professional images over amateur ones. While it's cheaper to do it yourself, don’t overlook the advantages of investing in professional photos. Fortunately, you can get high-quality headshots without the high cost of going to a professional photography studio with the right AI tools.