Adding photos to your profile

People do business with people they know, like, and trust. Photos can be a great way to let customers get to know you and your work. A photo of you, your family, your team, and/or examples of your work will go a long way towards connecting with visitors. And photos let you tell a story at a glance. Whether you have just attended a tradeshow, won an award, sponsored a little league team, or just finished your best job, photos can relay this information quickly.

Your eCompliments Profile allows you to place a photo that represents you or your business. This can be your logo or a picture that best represents your company. With the Pro Version you have the option of adding 3 additional pictures. The pictures can show the variety of skills you or your team has.

For example, a plumber may show a beautiful new bathroom, an outdoor kitchen, and a well manicured lawn being watered to show that he can remodel a bathroom, install a gas line, and fix a sprinkler system. A clothing store may post a picture of a Juicy Couture tracksuit, a little black dress, and an appropriate professional outfit to show customers that they can find what they need for any occasion at this store.

The photos do not need to be professionally taken. By investing in a good digital camera and following a few simple guidelines, most business owners can portray the image they want for their company. The posted photos can, and should, be changed constantly. If your restaurant is known for hosting children’s birthday parties, get into the habit of taking pictures at the beginning of each party and posting a new photo each month. This will help to build a sense of community involvement for your business and also show how family-friendly your establishment is.

Here are a few tips on taking interesting photos that will help market your business visually.

Show people – whether they are customers or staff, people will humanize the photos and help visitors connect to your business. Show homeowners cooking in the brand new kitchen you remodeled, pet owners hugging their freshly groomed pet, and show party goers enjoying a new backyard oasis.

Use angles – don’t just take pictures from straight-on. Take photos from multiple angles and multiple heights to add interest to the picture. Stand on a stair case to photograph a custom built entertainment center or take a picture from the floor pointing up to the braces-filled smile of your newest orthodontic patient.

Choose the setting – take pictures with interesting background or setting. Take a cue from magazines and create an appropriate setting to highlight your business. Show off your picnic catering services with a fun tablescape or use a doorway to frame your hotel lobby.

Get close – show details. Take close ups that enhance the image and feature the fine points of your business. Show off your salon staff’s skills with a close up side shot that illustrates natural looking highlights and expert styling. Photograph a model from ear to chest to feature a necklace and earring set.

Submitted by Joanne Hall
Community Manager
eCompliments