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Topic: Questions for freelancers with websites
| Author | Message |
| WholeNote | Posted – 11/27/2007 2:12:22 AM | show profile Do you include a picture of yourself on your business's website? I'm interested in your reasoning either way. Obviously putting a face to your business in the promotional material can help establish its legitimacy. On the other hand, many freelancers claim that one of the benefits of working from home is that they're seldom judged for their appearances. I can't help but imagine prospective clients automatically writing off a freelancer or becoming less interested in hiring him/her based on age, race, size, etc as reflected in a single picture on a website. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 11/27/2007 2:26:44 AM | show profile I don't because it just seems irrelevant. |
| paperclip | Posted – 11/27/2007 5:03:47 PM | show profile I do Because I'm vain. |
| ISR | Posted – 11/27/2007 6:02:36 PM | show profile I do because people seem to like it---and it's a good contrast to all the text links. |
| justthefactsman | Posted – 11/27/2007 7:50:10 PM | show profile I have video and photos. I'm vain. Really vain. |
| lo17 | Posted – 11/27/2007 8:26:47 PM | show profile i do since it makes me real and able to show my style. |
| Village Gal | Posted – 11/28/2007 9:11:32 AM | show profile Yes, I have a very nice photo on my home page. It gives the site a more personal feeling and humanizes me. |
| Metro Writer | Posted – 11/28/2007 9:50:47 AM | show profile It's a good idea to have a photo, but make sure that you are well-groomed and that it looks as if a professional took the photo. In other words, no bad lighting, no distracting backgrounds. Think of a photo on a book jacket -- preferably yours. |
| WholeNote | Posted – 11/29/2007 4:19:40 AM | show profile Thanks for your feedback, everyone. I'm still weary about posting a photo of myself for the reasons I referenced in the original post, but I guess that I'd rather a prospective client write me off based on a photo than do it after I've spent time and money traveling for a meeting. Moreover, while I agree with dribbledrive's statement that how the freelancer looks is generally irrelevant, I also know that clients targeting a certain niche market - i.e., senior citizen or Puerto Rican - might be more likely to work with a freelancer if they believe that s/he "personally" understands that market. A picture may betray the connection when a name doesn't. |
| caitlinkelly | Posted – 11/29/2007 11:57:57 AM | show profile I've had a photo on my site since it went up in 1999. People who dislike the photo, shot by a professional, are welcome to make any negative judgments they wish -- if the resume, clips and awards also posted there don't work for them. I keep a photo there for a few reasons; it shows something of my personal style and allows sources to literally see who it is they are going to speak to, which, when 90% of one's work is by phone or email, seems like a nice, human gesture. There are other elements of a writer's site than can be equally offputting. |
| Canadiana | Posted – 11/29/2007 12:16:30 PM | show profile If I'm going to hire someone via their web site, I would certainly be more inclined to do so if I could see the person behind the site. That said, I've seen some nasty photos (messy hair/clothes or out-dated shot) posted on writers' web sites and questioned their judgement because of it. |
| chopchop | Posted – 11/29/2007 2:24:15 PM | show profile I include a photo of myself because for the personal touch that I feel is necessary to conduct business. As a spokesperson, it has helped me in negotiating certain contracts. People want to know that you are marketable. (it also works for magazines who like to put contributor photos in the FOB.) I would say be sure you look polished and friendly. You do not want to have a 3-pc suit on and a serious look. Have a friendly smile (not goofy!) and have a nice top on that is not too funky but updated. Solid color shirt is preferred. Balance is what you want to achieve in your look/photo. |
| Seafarer | Posted – 12/1/2007 11:50:58 AM | show profile | email poster Yes, I have a photo, taken by a pro on a good hair day. :) People like to see a face with a name, I think. I also do public speaking and attend conferences, and people recognize me because I use a low-rez version of the same photo as my avatar on most Web sites and blogs. ------ My Web site Family Travel blog NHRA drag racing on Fast Machines |
| DQ102 | Posted – 12/1/2007 12:58:16 PM | show profile This may or may not be a consideration for you, but it helps to have a photo if you have any interest in being asked to comment on whatever your specialty is on TV. A lot of producers/show bookers for CNN, etc. are looking for writers who are experts on subjects, and it helps to have a professional photo of yourself on your site just so that they can see you are put together. Also, it might help to have it for clients who might want to consider you as a host for a panel at an industry trade show, etc. |
| writesonwater | Posted – 12/5/2007 5:21:14 AM | show profile I think the idea of putting a photo up is a good one -- if nothing, as mentioned, it will screen out those who judge books by their covers and would likely screen you out at a meeting, based on appearance. |
| QiSoftware | Posted – 12/5/2007 9:23:58 AM | show profile Yes, I use self images on my websites. The image on my main site qisoftware.com is not of me. The images on my blogs and in blog posts are. I use self images to prevent mistaken identity. Regina Thomas ------ qblog.qisoftware.com |
