Why Do Selfies Work? It's all about the "Know, Like, Trust" Factor
What is the “Know Like Trust” Factor?
I recently needed to hire a new wedding photographer, and rather than following the traditional method of running a Seek ad, I decided to stalk some photographers I liked on Instagram who were Sydney based, and DM them. Yep, a little crazy, but it did actually work.
Suddenly I was in my brides shoes, trying to decide which photographers I liked and wanted to meet with based on what I could see on their instagram account. And I found myself getting really bored. There are so many photographers out there whose work looks really similar. I guess there are only so many ways that you can flick a veil.
And I also found myself wanting to know who I would be talking to. Who would I be trusting to come join our team, what is their personality like (Or in the case of our brides, who would I be trusting to capture the most important photos of my life). Even though I knew it before, suddenly the importance of the “Know, Trust, Like” factor really hit me. Straight in the face!
I didnt want some boring photographer who would get stock standard photos. I wanted someone special, and unique, who was intersting and had a personality that they would bring with them. And this is exactly how your brides are feeling as well.
For us at Inlighten, we want people to know that we’re a husband and wife team of Dean and myself, along with a team of young, fun creatives who are super passionate about photography and love!
Inlighten Team photo, that shows potential couples, that we’re a young, and fun group of creatives. Our studio in the background also shows that we’re modern, rather than a traditional bridal style.
Dean and I try not to take ourselves too seriously with our photos, so that the photos are authentic and approachable. Having another person in the photo can really help.
5 Tips to Up Your Selfie Game
Do use your professional camera and create a styled shoot
Particularly for your feed (iphone video is OK in Storeis) No one has time to be shooting every day, so select a few different outfits that compliment the colour palette of your feed and do a styled shoot. You are a professional photographer, so iphone shots really arent going to cut it in your feed. The aim is to show your personality, so have some fun and start shooting.
Don’t take yourself too seriously
Even though it’s a styled shoot, it’s super important that the photos look authentic. So have some fun with the shoot, and let your personality shine through.Share something about yourself
One way to keep your selfies authentic, is to share something real about yourself. This could be your pet, your favourite place to eat lunch, or for me, it’s usually having a glass of wine in my hand.
Write a thoughtful caption.
To be honest., this is one I struggle with. Yes not everyone will read your content, but your goal is to get people to engage with you on social media, and your most engaged followers, the ones that love everything you do and interact with you, probably read every word that you write. Your caption also gives your selfie a reason for being, and again gives you the chance to share a little more of yourself with your tribe.
Think About the overall look and feel of your instagram feed.
When choosing the location, props and outfit for your shoot, do take into consideration your brands colour palette. Ensure these match, so that you can limit your use of filters and make the photos are usable as possible. Your selfies can also be a great chance to add some breathing space into your feed, especially if your product often has very busy photos.
Don’t forget about Instagram Stories.
We definitely try to keep our feed with a more curated and gallery feel, which can sometimes be limiting for those times when I want to share live action. And that’s where Instagram Stories really shines. We personally find that live video on Instagram stories showing behind the scenes of a wedding has huge engagement, with the majority of our followers continuing to tap through every story until the end.
Keep in mind that many people watch instagram stories with their sound off, so include text that explains in the video. But maximsing instagram stories, that’s a whole other blog for another day.
For now, if getting your face onto your socials is new, here’s a recap of why you should.
It allows your followers to KNOW who you are as a person, and the values that you stand for. Across the board, today’s millenial places a huge emphasise on working with brands that have good values, rather than the chepaest option.
When your followers know who you are and what you stand for, then they start to LIKE you. Not just your content but you as a person and a brand. In turn they will actually like your posts, resulting in you appearing more often in their feed.
The more often they see you, the more they will come to TRUST you as a person and a brand, and increase the chances of them becoming an actual paying customer.
Think of it in your brides terms. Who would you rather trust to take the most important photos of your life.
Someone your meeting for the the first time at a weddingi nterview?
Someone whose face you have been seeing online for 6 months, who you know actually know real and authentic personal information about.