Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jason Murphy on November 6, 2008 at 4:51pm

Marta:

Just grab a digital camera and shoot a few shots.
Take a few action shots, smiling, laughing, looking smart. :)

One of my favorites is taking a shot in nature, or near a landmark, usually these are vacation pictures.
The Internet is so impersonal at times it is always refreshing to see a pic that is natural and believable.

People will connect with you as an individual and they will probably pick up a "vibe" from your pic.
So don't focus so much on how you look, rather focus on your energy.

imho.

Jason

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Permalink Reply by Marta Costa on November 6, 2008 at 6:16pm

Thanks Deb and Jason. I'm still not sold on the idea but I'll see what I can come up with.

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Permalink Reply by Deb Lamb on November 6, 2008 at 5:20pm

Hi Marta,
The picture I have on this site is one I cropped from some professional pictures we had done last Christmas. My entire family got together to do this and it was so good to have done, since we have never done that except for around Christmas and groups of families and such. But I also agree with Jason, just a digital camera and you can get some good ones like that as well.

Good luck dear, Deb :)

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Permalink Reply by Monique Terrell on November 6, 2008 at 6:47pm

Hi Marta,

This is a great question and one I think more VA's should think about. I do have a professional picture of myself on my website and all of my social media & networking profiles. Now just like you I HATE pictures which is why I had it professional done.

I went to my local Moto Photo studio nothing fancy and had it done and let me tell you it made a big difference in my business. One of my very first clients told me that one of her reasons for choosing me was because I had a picture on my website. It made her more comfortable to know there was a real person who was the Virtual Assistant.

Also, your picture is like your logo what image do you want to portray for your business. I want people to know that I am serious about my business and that I am a professional. And my picture just provides the visual of that fact. And lastly, people want to know who they are working with and a picture just helps that.

Best Wishes,

Monique Terrell, Virtual Assistant
Sparkle Professional Office Services, LLC
"We Maximize Your Visibility To The World"

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Permalink Reply by Marta Costa on November 6, 2008 at 6:53pm

Thank you Monique. I know you are all right about this. I know I personally like to see all of your pictures when I log on here to talk to you so there must be something to it all.

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Permalink Reply by Kathleen Sullivan on November 7, 2008 at 11:45am

Hi Marta

It is very important to have a photo on your website and all social networking sites. People will begin to see your pic in a variety of places and this adds to your credibility. I believe a photo of just you, fairly close up is the best. Holiday pics near a monument are usually from a distance, so this may not be best--people want to see you. Add some personality too.
Grab that digital camera and have your kids take the pics (if they are old enough) as I think you will feel more comfortable with them behind the camera. Think of lovely settings, or your pets, or your kids, or whatever, while being photographed. Have them take 10 pics or 50 pics or 100 pics lol until you have one that you like. It really will make a difference.

Kathleen

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Permalink Reply by Sue L Canfield on November 7, 2008 at 8:07pm

Marta, I strongly recommend you get a photo. So many people have commented on mine. It conveys a more personal feeling. My was taken by my husband outside of our home. I don't think it has to be professionally done. Especially for posting on the web. The web can take much lower resolution pictures and still look good.

So go get the camera and take some pictures!

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Permalink Reply by Marta Costa on November 7, 2008 at 8:24pm

That's because you have an infectious smile Sue! Really, I noticed the trend with all of you that post their pictures, you all have great smiles.

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Permalink Reply by Deb Lamb on November 7, 2008 at 8:34pm

Marta would you believe this is the first time I have EVER posted my picture as well. When I first joined this site I was using my logo or some other flower picture. I have never liked the way I take or look in pictures so I can certainly understand what you are going through. But I finally decided, hey, lets dive in and see what happens and that is one reason I had to crop one I had made because I dont typically have any of myself. I'm always the one taking the pictures. From time to time I look at it and think, gosh, I cannot believe I posted that out there for all to see. I agree with some of the ones that have commented, that most people like to connect with you and when they see a picture, they feel they can do that. So I really feel your pain and can certainly understand. Been there, done that!!
Deb :)

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Permalink Reply by Tina Hilton on November 10, 2008 at 11:56am

I'm another 'photo'phobe' who hates having her picture taken, but I also know that I like to know that there is an actual person behind the businesses I am interested in working with, so I made myself post one. I have toyed with the idea of having one taken by a professional, but haven't quite gotten brave enough to do that. In the meantime, I used my digital camera to take a close up photo and am using that. I feel that it at least gives potential clients the impression that they are dealing with a real person even though everything else may be 'virtual.

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