Hi Maria,
That is a really subjective question and I am sure you will get many opinions. I am not big fan of photos on business cards for writers but there is no right or wrong answer.

PH

posted October 29, 2008

Hi Maria,

It's completely professional to have a quality headshot on a business card. Your picture helps to remind a person who you are and why they have your card. The key is to be sure that your picture reflects the correct message/tone for your business.

posted October 29, 2008

I don't think you can compare real estate agents to writers. Real estate agents spend a lot of face-to-face, up close & personal time with their clients, and clients want to feel that they will be comfortable driving around for hours and days with the real estate agent. So a head shot helps clients decide whether they'd be comfortable with the agent. This is not true with writers and their clients, many of whom will never meet face-to-face.

posted October 29, 2008

Except in certain circumstances, I tend to think it's a bad idea, although that doesn't mean it's unprofessional.

It's good for Real Estate agents because they're local people that you might see in your own neighborhood.

And if you're a freelancer who is really plugged into the community through your chamber or local service group, it might be fine, too.

But my personal feeling is that you shouldn't give someone any reason they might not want to hire you. Fair or not, we're often partially judged by the way we look and that can come in many forms (gender, age, nationality, etc.)

I don't want to have my looks come into the equation when someone is considering hiring me because what I look like says nothing about the work that I can do for someone.

I've just seen too many cases where the photo someone was using did them no favors at all.

And if you're a freelancer who is not working with local people, and thus never meet your clients, again I can't see the purpose of the client knowing what you look like. I think it's a myth that the client knowing what you look like somehow enhances the relationship.

I actually wrote about this very topic on my blog a couple of years ago:

Links:

• http://mikeklassen.blogspot.com/2006/07/picture-can-be-worth-thousand-words...

posted October 29, 2008

Mike answered this question so well I can only second what he says...

The old adage applies here..."You can't judge a book by it's cover!"

...and as we all know well, we are judged by our looks intitially, so why give anyone the chance to reject you because of the way you look...(in their opinion of course)

posted October 29, 2008

Better to have a great, professional head shot on your website and your accounts at LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.

posted October 29, 2008

In my opinion, less clutter is better.

My current business card includes my name (without middle initial), email address (which tells them what I do - @b2bmarketingpro.com) and cell phone number.

Besides, imagine the potential disappointment when the image on your business card doesn't age at the same rate you do.

(Which reminds me...I should probably update my LinkedIn profile image.)

Links:

• http://www.b2bmarketingpro.com

posted October 29, 2008

I've exchanged hundreds of cards with multimedia, entertainment and publishing executives. Only one had a head shot and he was in entertainment. It would be more suitable if you're talent looking for acting, entertainment or performance jobs. As in Libby's case I agree a headshot would help not hurt as entertainers usually submit professional head shots and a resume when applying for a job. It all depends on your profession and who your target audience. Each case is different. I was a television news reporter and the reporters/anchors didn't have pictures on their cards. I agree with Meredith, Mike and Steven's two cents. Hope that helps!

posted October 29, 2008

Hi Maria,

I agree with Meredith.

Best, Herman
hermanhiemstra@yahoo.com

posted October 29, 2008

Your head or another's? Photograph or crayon drawing? Would this be the sort of head shot that would cause most people to whistle with admiration or elicit a sudden intake of breath? In any event, you can't go wrong by grinning broadly, with a red rose clenched between your teeth, while wearing a logger's cap with the ear flaps hanging loose.

posted October 29, 2008

Unless you work in the entertainment field, or some other field where your looks are relevant, I'd avoid this. If you're young and attractive, some people will feel that a photo on your business card is a way of trying to parlay your looks into jobs, which can be a turn off. Attractive people can engender jealousy, or be perceived as less professional/intelligent (because even though it's absurd, there's still a stereotype that says attractive women are pretty, not smart).

If you're unattractive, some people will be less inclined to hire you because even though looks shouldn't matter, they do. If you're older, you may lose jobs because of a perception that you don't have a young and hip writing perspective, or wouldn't be "in tune with" gen X issues. And if you're younger, you may lose jobs because of the perception that you're not experienced enough or to young to "get" more complex business jobs.

In short, putting your image on your business card allows people to use your looks as one of the factors they consider in deciding whether or not to hire you. Since your looks don't impact your ability to write, research, make deadlines, etc., why clutter things up by allowing people to judge you on those, rather than your talents?

To me, it's just a risky proposition.

posted October 29, 2008

My travel ads and cards have my photos. I have had so many people comment in a good way, that they were glad my picture was on there because it helped my card stand out from the other collected ones

posted October 29, 2008

Put me in the camp of people who think head shots on business cards are good for real estate agents, not writers. Save the photo for your Website, blog, Facebook and LinkedIn profile pages, etc. If you really want to make an impression, follow up on meeting someone for the first time by sending an email with a letter of introduction, your resume, relevant clips or a query that's spot on for their publication and showcases your writing ability. That's what editors are looking for.

posted October 29, 2008

Of course not. Numerous companies do this (Kodak of course was an instigator years ago for its reps), and look at the Realtor segment. It makes utmost sense to put a image with the name.

posted October 29, 2008

I think it is professional to utilize a headshot, especially for a freelance writer. You are your brand-unless you have a logo or other design features that you utilize to make yourslf stand out.

I know realtors that use head shots on their business cards. I would just suggest that you make sure when you change your hairstyle or other major look, that you change the headshot on the card :)

posted October 29, 2008

I don't have mine on my physical business card, but I do on my .vcf card. Helps people I am emailing put a face to the name. And if I am following up with someone from having received their business card, it reminds them who I am.

posted October 29, 2008

As long as its done to highlight your work and truly depicts it, I don't consider it wrong. As a freelancer one certainly get the urge to have refined communication skills which helps in building a long term professional relationship. In order to identify oneself and stand out for your work I don't consider it unprofessional

posted October 29, 2008

This Q & A was interesting to read. The comments from most of the men said “no” and the comments from most of the women said “yes.” Well, as a woman and fellow writer, let me throw my two cents in too.
Unfortunately, some folks ARE shallow enough to judge you based on how you look. Part of me thinks that it is a clue that you shouldn’t do business with them, but I have to give to you straight. We do live in the real world you know. Since I am an identity theft consultant, I feel the urge to tell you that you may not want to be too eager to put your photographs out there in the public. Also, I caution you NOT to put your street address on your business cards. Just list your city and state. If client are interested in working with you, they can your address later.

Forgetting for a minute what other people think…..
Unless YOU have a specific reason as to why you think having your photo would be a DETRIMENT and not a benefit, then don’t do it. Maria, what do YOU think? This is a personal choice. Personally, I don’t have pictures on my business cards, but I still like seeing them on the cards I get from other folks. I get about 10-12 business cards a week and the ones with the photos stand out. As for my own cards, I ordered them before I knew I could also add my photograph. I love my business cards. They have a pretty photo of the stars and stripes on them and I didn’t want to cover up “old glory” with my big ole head! LOL! Plus, I use my business cards for my home-based business, so my issue is a bit different than yours. I haven’t updated my cards with my picture to avoid getting too much attention from the unserious male population. i.e., the “winky winky crowd.” Plus, there are some weird folks out there, so, just keep that in mind too. Girl to girl.

Working with attorneys, I have to add a little footnote here: If you decide to go with a photo, please, please, please make sure that you look at the photograph BEFORE you approve it for you business card and have a second photograph handy in case you need to change it fast. Its no fun saying OOPS after the cards come in the mail. Trust me, you don’t want 1,000 business cards with your headshot looking like you had a couple “shots” right before your picture was taken.

I enjoyed the question. Best of luck in your writing career! --Delores

posted October 29, 2008

I also immediately thought "real estate agent." And then I flipped through a stack of business cards I have here, including several for writers, and none had head shots.

But as a person who sometimes hires freelance writers, I'd say do it. I meet lots of writers. I collect their cards. But unless I'm working with them regularly, I forget which is which. Is she the one who did that great job on the newsletter article three years ago? Or the one I wasted all that script treatment cash on in 2005? Or have I ever hired him?

So, a picture isn't a terrible idea. But a better idea is to put your talents to work and get me subscribed to your blog. (Be sure it's worth reading.) Because I can't always put my hands on a card, but the Internet is everywhere.

posted October 29, 2008

This is a terrific question. Why not? The more you are knowable the better. First impressions do count. In fact, they count much more than they should, as anyone who has read Blink will know. There is no one right way to do things. What some people think of as professional, others might think of as just plain wacky. It all depends on who you are selling your services to. You have a pleasant looking picture of yourself here on LinkedIn. I say, go for it!

Almost ten years ago, before web video became a reality, I discovered a Canadian company that made see-through business-card-sized rectangular CD-ROMs. I made a small video of my offer and put it on the card. It didn’t have my picture on the front. But it did have me presenting on the video. I was a video producer at the time. It did attract business, because I was showing not telling (a concept familiar to all writers.) It was very successful at getting people to connect with me in other parts of the country. At that time, I included it in a sales letter I sent to 100 prospects. When I followed up on the phone, forty percent felt they knew me. Almost everyone took my call. I got a strong positive reaction. I put this down to novelty value (or could it have been my magnetic charm?) Yet, the point of all this is that the card itself was remarkable. I hadn’t seen anyone else promoting their business this way. But this was a long time ago.

I’ve heard it said that realtors put their picture on the card because little else differentiates them. We are hardwired to respond to faces. I rarely have a need for business cards now, because either referrals or the website has taken its place. However, if I were to get some more printed, I may follow your lead at put my picture on mine. If you would put your picture on your website, why not put it on your card. It’s your brand.

posted October 29, 2008

I'm not a huge fan of it, but there's certainly nothing wrong with it. It's just personal preference for me. I've seen some people put it on their card and it looks really good, yet there have been some I've seen where the photo overwhelms the rest of the card.

posted October 29, 2008

I'm a designer as well as editor and writer and I've designed hundreds of business cards. Some people don;t like the way they look and would never consider putting their picture anywhere. For others, it's the best way to get themselves remembered. I read somewhere that statistics show that people hold onto business cards with photos on them longer than they do those without.

posted October 29, 2008

Perhaps I can lend some clarity to this subject. If you step back and look at this question with a wider perspective, I think you'll agree that it's really about personal branding.

So, how do you want to brand yourself? Do you think a photograph on your business card puts the best "face" on your brand (pardon the all-to-obvious pun)? If yes, then go for it. But, be aware that a face-as-brand approach has its limitations. Handing a business prospect a card with your face on it may be perceived as narcissistic, unless your chosen industry is entertainment, where narcissism is currency.

Perhaps I can lend some clarity to this subject. If you step back and look at this question with a wider perspective, I think you'll agree that it's really about personal branding.

So, how do you want to brand yourself? Do you think a photograph on your business card puts the best "face" on your brand (pardon the all-too-obvious pun)? If yes, then go for it. But, be aware that a face-as-brand approach has its limitations. Handing a business prospect a card with your face on it may be perceived as narcissistic, unless your chosen industry is entertainment, where narcissism is currency.

Most branding makes use of abstraction because it's easier to manipulate associations and perceptions in the abstract. That's why so many logos are symbols or highly stylized text. We who writer for a living tend to live and work almost entirely in the abstract. So, I recommend using a logo. Design one yourself or have someone design it for you. Having a personal logo is kind of cool, distinctive, and entirely professional. That’s why I use one (see www.hebner.org).

On the other hand, Photos have a perfectly legitimate place in Linkedin profiles, on Facebook, and on .vcf cards.

‘Nuff said?

Links:

• http://www.hebner.org

posted October 29, 2008

I wouldn't say it's unprofessional, but I don't think it's necessary. Nowadays, most exchanges of business cards are done face-to-face, so the people to whom you give your card probably already know what you look like. A photo on your website might be a whole other consideration.

posted October 29, 2008

Just as you consider your audience when you write, consider to whom you are sending your headshot business card. If you want to write for broadcast (TV) media or get interviews about what you write, an attractive headshot will help, but you'd probably want it larger than a postage stamp. As a designer/editor/writer, I remember well-designed business cards more than basic ones with photos.

posted October 29, 2008

I believe head shots should be kept to realtor and actor business cards. This is an opinion only because the answer is really one of personal preference. We cannot please all of the people all of the time. If you decide to add your picture, some will be put off and others will like it because they will remember who you are the next time they see you and I believe that is what one wants when meeting again.

posted October 29, 2008

Hi Maria,
I don't think it's unprofessional for a freelance writer to have a head shot on their business card. People obtain a large amount of business cards, especially when networking, and if anything, I think having a head shot on your business card will help people to remember you in the sea of cards they have sitting on their desk. As long as it's professionally done, I say go for it! It will set you apart from the others.

Sincerely,
Kelly Sabetta

Links:

• http://www.bettabookpublishing.com
• http://www.bettabookpublishing.com/blog

posted October 30, 2008

I think being able to associate a photo/face with a name is a great plus - helps you remember just who that person was, and how irritating they were...

(grin)

1) Make it big enough, and make sure it looks like you. Not necessarily "professional studio" but also not a squinty frozen grimace either...

2) If possible, use an entire image on the card, with "blank space" (doesn't have to be white) where the info goes...And try to have the image tie in with what your primary focus is... If you do a lot of writing about industry, a picture of you above a shop floor might be a good idea...

posted October 30, 2008

Dear Maria,
I do not feel it is unprofessional to have your head shot on your business card. Actually, it can be beneficial. Many people like to know who they are calling for services. Not having a picture on your card could inhibit some potential clients, but be sure to have a professional photo done.

posted October 30, 2008