*Jenni Comer, founder of* Jenni & Co *has a top real estate firm in Richmond, VA*

Have you noticed that you seem to know a lot more realtors than you used to? It’s like everybody and their sister has become a realtor in the past ten years. If you’re one of those people (or you’ve been a working realtor for many years), I’m quite sure you’ve noticed, because it’s made it much harder to “be seen.”

Combine this with the rise of social media exposure and, depending upon where you live and work, marketing yourself as a realtor online has become a lot like drowning in an overcrowded pool full of screaming kids on a hot day in the summer. The chances that anyone will actually hear your cries for help are slim.

The number one thing you can do to change that is to find a way to stand out from the crowd. That means your personal brand is more important now than it’s ever been. People want to do business with human beings, and the more real and authentic you are, the more people will want to do business with you.

Since social media marketing is always visual, your first step toward putting yourself “out there” in a more authentic way is to get awesome, personal, branded photos that allow people to not only see you, but, more importantly, to see who you are.

Here are a few specific things you can do during your next photoshoot to accomplish this:

Make Eye-catching, Personal Wardrobe Choices

The days of wearing a buttoned-up blouse and blazer or a suit and tie to “convey trustworthiness” are over. The truth is, what you choose to wear in your branding photos should tell people exactly who you are and what you’re really like, giving them a glimpse into your personality. This can include color choices, style choices, and even unconventional choices like a graphic tee under a leather blazer or trendy jeans with high heels.

The best thing about having the freedom to dress like who you actually are when you have your photo taken is that it also allows you to feel comfortable in front of the camera.

Let the Environment Help Tell Your Story

As a realtor, you might want to be photographed in a model home, relaxing and enjoying a cup of coffee or cooking a meal. I do lots of personal branding shoots for my clients in model home locations. Not only does this provide amazing natural lighting, but, when combined with your wardrobe choices, it can also tell people a lot about who you are. A cityscape can say “sophisticated & savvy” if you’re wearing a little black dress and high heels, or “fun-loving and laid back” if you’re posing in a sundress and sandals holding a bouquet of flowers; a photo was taken in a natural wooded area with you wearing denim and hiking boots and your dog by your side tells viewers that you’re “adventurous and outdoorsy.”

Even in a studio setting, we can do some very specific things with furniture and backdrops to help your personality shine through.

What’s Next?

Once you have a bank of branded images to pull from for your content (I recommend at least 25 images), how do you use them to help you stand out? Here’s a list of specific things you can do

Update your images frequently (at least yearly, although most realtors do this twice a year) so you can add to your bank of marketing assets
Use fresh, branded images in your content to show up and engage with their audience
Make sure your branded images showcase your personality and help the viewer connect
Show your creative and playful side by making sure your photos are vibrant with bold colors that suggest excitement.
Use video to share your personality and content
Make sure you’re showing up consistently on all of your social media platforms
Don’t show up to “sell” or “get clients.” Share valuable content freely so people value their connection with you before they hire you

So, based on the above information, go take a look at the photos you’re currently using for your online profiles and marketing. Are they telling people, in a compelling way, who you are? Would they make a potential client say, “Wow, I’d really love to work with this person!”? If not, it’s time for new branded photos.

*Lyndsay Jones is a powerhouse realtor in Richmond, VA. The image has a great negative space to the right of Lyndsay where she can put customized text.*

If you’re interested in learning more about my services, I’d love to learn more about you and share my ideas for how to help you stand out. Click here to get on my calendar, and let's get you some amazing images that allow you to move from a loud, crowded pool of people with the same message and image types to a stand-alone spotlight where people can easily find (and choose) you!

Click here to get on my calendar and let’s chat!